Wool Pressing mat-review

A few weeks ago I was given a wool pressing mat from Precision Quilting to try out and do a review on.  The first time I ever heard of and saw a wool pressing mat was last spring at the AQS Paducah quilt show.  I really didn't know what the fuss was all about and so many were buying them.  But as time passed I kept seeing and hearing all these good things.

So you can imagine how excited I was to receive this 100% wool mat from Jon at Precision Quilting. These mats are made using premium wool from New Zealand and are 1/2" thick.  I have been using it to make these crazy tree runners.  You can see there are many seams.  And look how flat my block is!

There are several good points to these mats.  One is that your fabric doesn't slide around like on a regular ironing surface.  The other they help to make your block flat.  That happens because the wool kind of reflects the heat back up toward your block so it is like it is heating both sides of the block at the same time, therefore helping it to be flatter.  But the heat does not go through the bottom of the mat, therefore you can put it on any surface.  You can even pin into the mat if you need to block a small project.

I like that the mats are totally portable.  I can't wait to try it out in the camper next year since I won't have to be careful of heat going through it while pressing my fabric/blocks.

There seem to be a few different brands on the market.  Some I hear have quite an odor at first.  This one that I was given does not.  It comes sealed in a clear plastic, when I opened it I did not smell a thing, still haven't.  I really am enjoying using it.  Thanks Jon!

Linking with Linky Tuesday Wednesday Wait Loss, Let's Bee Social, WIPand Mid Week Makers.