A quilter’s best friend is a wool pressing mat, which can help smooth both sides of your fabric and make it flat and wrinkle-free. Pressing your quilting fabric with a wool pressing mat can result in crisp, clean lines in a short time, which saves you time and energy while elevating the look of your quilt.
So, what are the best pressing mats for quilting? The best pressing mats for quilting are made of 100% wool for effective heat resistance and distribution. They should be the right size to suit your needs and offer a quality product to suit your budget.
If this is your first time hearing about this amazing tool, let’s take a look at what it is and how you can purchase the best one for your quilting corner.
Buying A Pressing Mat
Pressing mats for quilting are large pieces of wool that serve as surfaces for you to lay down your quilting fabric for ironing.
Unlike traditional ironing boards, the wool has a good grip on your fabric so that it doesn’t stretch or move while you iron. This is especially important if you are ironing several layers of fabric for quilting since the pressing mat will keep all the layers in place while you iron.
There are a few important things to consider when shopping for a pressing mat to suit your needs, so we’ve listed a few below for your consideration.
1. Material
Quality pressing mats are often made of 100% New Zealand wool or Savina wool. These mats usually have a strong smell when they first arrive but give it some time, and the smell will quickly dissipate.
The reason wool is used as pressing mats for quilting is because of the materials’ amazing insulating ability, which can quickly absorb heat and disperse it around the body of the wool.
This ability allows the wool pressing mat to help you iron both sides of the fabric at the same time, which is amazing, especially for quilting. If you need to iron several layers of fabric at once, using a wool pressing mat can help you magically straighten all the layers of fabric, saving you a ton of time and effort.
Wool also has a distinct fuzzy texture that can offer a good grip on your fabric. The worst thing that can happen when ironing is when a piece of fabric is moved around, causing more wrinkles than you started out with.
This problem can be totally avoided with a wool pressing mat, even if you are ironing several layers of fabric. Your fabric won’t go anywhere, which will save you a lot of frustration and give you crisp, clean lines in no time.
2. Size
Pressing mats commonly come in three small sizes: 13″ by 17″, 17″ by 17″, and 17″ by 24″. Obviously, this is not as big as most ironing boards you can purchase out there, but these are still decent sizes that allow you to iron a large area of fabric at the same time. Larger sizes are also available if you want a more substantial surface to work with.
These pressing mats are usually ⅜-½” thick and very lightweight (less than 2 pounds), so they should be very mobile and flexible.
3. Upkeep
Wool is known for its insulation ability and heat resistance, but there are still some precautions that you should take when working with a wool mat to make sure that it can maintain its quality over time.
Because you will be working with heat, make sure to never leave an iron on a wool pressing mat for too long because you can still scorch the surface and damage the mat.
Wool can also absorb moisture, and it never feels as wet as it actually is, so if you are working with a steam iron, you should make sure to lay a small towel underneath it and leave the wool mat out to air dry before putting it in storage.
Make sure to wash your wool mat regularly to remove any dirt or lint that gets trapped on the surface. You should never wash it in the washing machine. Instead, hand wash your wool mat using a mild soap and let it air dry to preserve its quality.
When you need to store the pressing mat, take care not to fold it up or crease it because it will affect the look and performance of the mat. If you are not using the pressing mat for a while, you can place it inside a water-resistant cover, which will limit dust and moisture absorption.
4. Price
Since pressing mats are 100% wool, they can be a bit expensive. However, if you are going to invest in a wool pressing mat, then it is always good to invest in “the real thing” rather than a poor-quality substitute.
The time you will save thanks to a wool pressing mat can be a good enough reason to invest in a quality pressing mat that can serve you for a long time.
Best Pressing Mats For Quilting
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Coobe Wool Mat | 100% wool, 17" x 17", felt case included |
| 2. | Savina Wool Pressing Mat | 100% wool, 17" x 13.5", iron rest included |
| 3. | Precision Quilting Tools Ironing Mat | 100% wool, 13.5" x 13.5", portable |
| 4. | OHOCO Wool Ironing Board | 100% wool, 15" x 54", carrying case |
| 5. | Torising Wool Monster Pressing Mat | 100% wool, 22" x 60", for large jobs, rollable |
1. Coobe Wool Mat
This superior wool ironing mat can provide you with an extra soft and smooth surface that delivers a remarkable ironing experience.
Made with 100% New Zealand wool, this pressing mat will surely be durable enough to perform well through frequent use.
This high-quality wool pressing mat is ideal for quilters and crafters alike. It boasts a size of 17″ x 17″ and a 1/2″ thickness which provides that extra protection for any surface and a spacious area to work with.
The sturdy construction and large working area mean you can work on large pieces of fabric and iron several layers at the same time.
The included premium felted case makes it easy to transport anywhere you go. It features two ergonomic eco-leather handles that are comfortable and easy to carry by hand. This feature is ideal if you need to take your pressing mat to a quilting class or on the go.
2. Savina Wool Pressing Mat
This wool ironing pad will make ironing an easy, fast, and most efficient task and quilting much more enjoyable.
It’s made of 100% wool with dense, interlocking fibers that provide a comfortable grip so that your fabric is always secure even while ironing.
The edges are beveled for style as well as safety. This wool pressing mat has a standard ½” thickness and a comfortable 17″ by 13.5″ size, which is not too big that it will be difficult to store but still large enough to provide a spacious area for ironing.
This compact and lightweight ironing mat is also perfect for taking on the go, whether you are going to a quilting class or moving it around the house.
This wool pressing mat comes with an iron rest, which will house the hot iron when you need to switch out the fabric. This small item can help you protect the wool surface and extend its lifetime use.
3. Precision Quilting Tools Ironing Mat
If your craft corner isn’t spacious enough to house a large ironing board or ironing mat, then this 13.5″ by 13.5″ ironing mat is perfect for you.
Made with 100% New Zealand wool, the finest wool in the world, this ironing mat is small but highly effective in providing a well-insulated surface to iron on.
Although the size is small, the ½” thickness still offers stability so that ironing can still feel comfortable and dependable.
Thanks to the small size, this ironing mat is very lightweight and portable, which means it can fit on almost every working surface and be stored easily in your craft corner without taking up too much space.
4. OHOCO Wool Ironing Board
It can be difficult to find a big wool pressing mat. If you want a spacious surface area to work with, then this large 15″ by 54″ pressing mat is the perfect size for you.
OHOCO’s wool ironing board pad is made from 100% natural wool and packed with fibers that can resist the high heat of the iron.
The 3/8″ thickness of the felt allows the mat to retain heat for efficient double-sided pressing while still providing enough stability to house the fabric for ironing.
Although this pressing mat is large, it doesn’t mean that it is any less portable.
The reasonable thickness allows it to be rolled up into a small package, and it even comes with a portable carrying bag that you can take on the go. It is also very lightweight, so if you need to take it to a quilting class, it’s still a highly convenient option. ‘If you want a spacious working area but are worried about storage, then this pressing mat can definitely resolve all of your worries.
5. Torising Wool Monster Pressing Mat
This pressing mat is called a “Monster” pressing mat because of its large size: 22″ by 60″. Made from 100% wool, this 22″ x 60″ pressing mat is large enough to fit most oversize ironing boards or work tables.
The 0.5″ thickness also provides comfortable stability, especially if you want to pin the fabric to the mat.
This large size and sturdiness mean you can iron large pieces of quilt and multiple layers of fabric in a short time so that you don’t have to sacrifice quality while still saving time.
When the pressing mat is not in use, you can simply roll it up and store it conveniently. This monster pressing mat is perfect for big quilting jobs and professional quilters who need a bit more space and quality.
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