There are times when you need to do just a little pressing or you’re going to sew somewhere it’s not practical to bring an ironing board. That’s the job for a wool pressing mat!
Besides portability, there are other advantages to using a wool pressing mat.
- Wool, being a natural fiber, will absorb and hold heat allowing your seam to be pressed from both sides simultaneously which will give you a flatter seam with less pressure.
- Wool is naturally fire resistant and doesn’t scorch easily (just make sure it’s 100% wool – no artificial blends).
- The rough fibers of the mat will help hold your fabric in place while you press. This is a real plus when pressing pieces with bias edges.
- Because the fibers are so dense, you can place your pressing mat on any surface without fear of the heat affecting the surface it’s places on as long as you’re not using steam heat. If you plan to steam, put a silicone mat underneath to keep the steam from penetrating.
One caveat — don’t use starch when pressing on a wool mat. The starch will sit on the surface and turn brown/scorch over time. If you will be using starch, cover your mat with a piece of fabric to absorb the overspray.
PS. Wool mats are made of wool. If you’re allergic, they are not for you.