Wool Ironing Mat for Quilting Review
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission.Have you tried using a 100% felted wool ironing mat for your quilting? This may be my newest favorite tool that can be used in my quilt studio or to take along to quilt classes or retreats!
Ironing Mat for Quilting
Recently Precision Quilting Tools sent me two of their 100% Wool Ironing mats to try out. There has been a lot of talk lately about ironing on a wool mat and I was glad to get a chance to review their mats.
I just happened to be working on a couple batik quilt projects so I’ll be sharing my thoughts about using a wool mat while pressing my batik blocks.
Use a dry iron
Precision Quilting Tools recommends using a dry iron instead of steam as the wool is a porous material and the steam may go through.I always use a dry iron, I am actually using a vintage iron because I like the weight of it and the bottom is completely smooth.
I always press the seam closed first to set it and then open it up and press again. I was surprised at how well the wool held the quilt block stable and in place. You always want to make sure you don’t stretch your block when pressing. Lift the iron to press, don’t slide it across your block.
The Wool Ironing Mat retains heat so you are actually ironing both sides at the same time. Let your block sit and cool before moving it.
You can also use Best Press or other starches.
Great for travel or quilt classes
There are several different sizes of the wool ironing mats and they would be great to use when going to a retreat or anytime you want a portable ironing mat. I also have a small portable travel iron but at the moment I can’t find it since half of my quilt studio is packed up for our move.
The mats are 1/2″ thick to give you protection on the surface below. I have an older cutting mat and I will have to see how it works before I try using the mat on my good cutting table. Right now I am using the 17″ x 24″ mat on my ironing station which is similar to my original ironing workspace.
Embroidery
I have a few embroidery projects I want to work on and it would be very easy to block them by pinning on to the wool mat.
Recommendation
I love this product and I plan on using my wool ironing mat all the time. I would recommend it to anyone.
Ask for the Precision Quilting Tools 100% Wool Ironing mat at your local quilt shop or order online. There are four different sizes of mats.
- Wool Ironing Mat 17″ x 24″ – Fat Quarter Shop
- Wool Ironing Mat 17″ x 17″
- Wool Ironing Mat 13.5″ x 13.5″
- Wool Ironing Mat 9″x 9″
it’s right on top of the ole wish list!
You will love it Sue!
The 17″ is on my wish list too but I do like steam sometimes. Lucky you to find an old iron. I had one but a pipe burst in the cabinet I kept it in…it died and I haven’t found any since. They are perfect for cotton, they get much hotter than my regular iron. I love hankies, that iron was perfect for them and applying fusible, no holes!
I really enjoy my wool mat with my quilting. I’m going to have to try it with my embroidery. I hadn’t even thought of using it for that.
Interesting, I anxiously await your reveal on the cutting mat. This would be so perfect for me, there would be no need to recover or remove and launder my cover on my board. I could do away with cotton wrapped board all together and have a nice clean table.
I ordered a wool pressing mat and have highly recommend it as well. I do a lot of scrap piecing and using the wool mat helps keep my seems very flat. Dont know why I didn’t get one before. Really helps a lot.
I’m like you Diana, wonder why I didn’t get one sooner!
Hi Connie! I have two wool mats and use them a lot for my machine embroidery. The first one I bought was at an embroidery conference many years ago. It really helps the embroidery stand up on the fabric. Just place it face down and press. I bought a larger one recently. I have used it some for blocks and need to use it more for them. I have a steady betty that I press my blocks on but will definitely try using the wool mat on top of it. I hope you guys get moved soon. I know you will be glad to be closer to your daughter!
Hi Brenda, I think I remember reading about your recent wool mat and that is when I knew I wanted one! That is a great tip to place the embroidery face down and press, thanks!
I definitey need to learn ironing skills for sewing/quilting. I realize I do everything wrong…water in my irons and sliding back and forth…and more. I still iron clothing! Having a wool mat looks like a great tool to have. Thank you Connie for the review of them.
You’ll do fine Sherry, lots of quilters use water in their irons but I don’t care for it. Oh….I still iron clothes too!
Can we make our own with a piece of wool or would it not be thick enough? I love your website and directions. Thank you.
Hi Carol,
I think you could use a piece of wool over your ironing board and it might work. It wouldn’t be as thick so you would definitely would want a padded surface to protect your table. I would probably only use it on my ironing surface.
Stretching my units while pressing is my worst bad habit in the quilting process. I get lazy and slide that iron and the straight side gets a little sway to it. Ugh. I need to try a wool mat. And stop being lazy with my iron 🙂
Thank you for the info!
I know what you mean Heidi, if I don’t pay attention I do the same thing!
I keep looking at these ironing mats…they would certainly make pressing units and blocks so much easier. Maybe it would even remind me to press and not iron!!
They are great to use Susan, I know what you mean about ironing instead of pressing, every once in a while I will do that with a HST and ugh!
Connie I too have a large and a smaller wool mat. I keep them both on my ironing surface and but them together, but the small one I can take wit me to class. I taught a selvage class today and brought it and it worked great. I have 2 different brands. Some say the wool smells, but I haven’t had that problem, mainly because I do not ever put water in my iron. I used a spray mist bottle. Water (I only used to use distilled water) will wear your iron out faster than anything else and they all end up leaking or spitting and discolor your fabric, even with distilled water! The iron I have now has been going strong for over 10 years and I have another iron I bought over 30 years ago! I used water in a Rowenta and it lasted one year to the day I bought it and then the cord frayed and sparked!
Hi Daryl, I never noticed the wool smell either. Like you I haven’t used water in an iron for years…..had an expensive one only last a little over a year even though I added distilled water also. I have a spray mist bottle like you that I use.
So what iron do you recommend? Would love to have one that would last! Thank you!
Jo Dobbs
Hi Jo, honestly for my quilting I use vintage irons. I go to Goodwill and look for a heavy iron with no steam holes on the bottom. Goodwill will let you plug it in and make sure it works.
I hadn’t thought that this mat would do well to block embroidery projects too. Good idea.
It would be great Kathy! I have used it with a couple felt pieces for applique and it really holds them in place also.
Hello Connie, It is always nice knowing your opinion on products. I have read several posts on these mats and every one seems to all give great recommendations. Thank you for telling us your thoughts on these also. Have a wonderful day!
They are great Brenda!
I have never heard of these. How neat!!!!! Sounds like a “must Have” item!
The wool ironing mat is great Kathy!
I have had one for over a year now. LOVE it. Just remember it is wool and you don’t want one if you have an allergy to wool.
Thanks for the review and tips… I have it on my wish list.
Well these are turning up all over now and everyone seems to love them.
Someone at a recent retreat had one of these, and it did a beautiful job – so much better than the ironing boards of the facility that were in desperate need of new padding and covers.
I would love to have one of these. I have put it on my wish list.