Wool pressing mat? Used one?
 

Okay, so I have seen a couple of people on a Featherweight site using these wool felt pressing mats. I'm wondering what the wool content is and if they are really worth the money? The only one I could find for sale online was $68! It had better be the best thing since toilet paper, at that price. Do any of you have one? Have used one? Thoughts?

Thanks!

Kathy

I hope someone replies because I have the same concern.

I had to look it up. My mom used something similar when she ironed my dad's shirts when she ironed the buttons area. Just wonder if you got a military wool blanket, cut it into pieces and it would do the same thing. When I iron my embroidered items I use a pressing cloth. I also have a June Taylor pressing pad with a rotary mat on the other side. It's used mostly when I travel but have used it when pressing my embroidered squares.

Mom and grandma always made their own covers and directly under the top was a layer of old wool blankets which was to wick the moisture thru according to them. Have done the same in the past myself and was always happy with the set up. Now no more left over blankets so was wondering about trying to find an old wool coat that I could felt and use. If you're talking about a small mat you should easily be able to find a large wool blazer (light color) that would enough for a small pressing mat.--- Went surfing on line, they do sell Pricey wool but mixed in quite liberally are ones that are cotton -- read carefully. Wonder if 100% wool felt is still available off the bolt? Most felt these days is a blend if you read the end cap. Will be watching what others have to say.

My mom also had one (wonder where it went??) This is one of several specialty pressing items that she used for couture garment construction. She had a selection of rolls, hams, clappers and always coveted a velvet needle board. For quilting, I like my Steady Betty.

I still have all mine, and use them now and then.

I have the large size Steady Betty. It is one of the must haves in my sewing room.

I watch lots of webcast and you tubes on garment making which you do a lot of pressing, I've seen pressing cloths but I've never heard of a wool one. I'll have to ask of my online teachers.

Word of caution if you want to make a wool pressing mat. Make sure the wool you use is 100% wool. A friend encountered an issue when purchasing a product labeled "wool felt". It scorched because it had some man-made fiber in it.

I see online the wool pad mentioned above is $55 or more.

If army blankets are not available, I wonder if you could get some mill ends/irregular wool pieces from woolen mills to make your own?

After seeing this post I did some surfing of the web and watched a video. I just happened to have an old army blanket (picked up at an estate sale thank you to the soldier who used it), it is 100% wool and it is dated on the tag 5-4-1942 was when it was inspected. I have used it to repress blocks that I had unsewn to use a different way. I pressed the seam back flat and you cannot even tell where it was sewn. This is absolutely wonderful I was doing the happy dance and told DH that I just saved a lot of money. He was quite pleased. I would say it is better than toilet paper just glad that I remembered I had that blanket. The video said the wool pressing pad would have a smell and the blanket when ironed on has a smell also. Good luck.