Are you ready to take your needle felting projects to the next level?
As a needle felting artist, you understand the value of quality tools. But have you thought about how using a wool pressing mat can completely transform your craft?
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, a wool pressing mat can be a game-changer for your craft.
These mats provide stability, precision, and versatility, making your needle felting experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Wool Mat Advantages
Are you tired of using your old foam mat for needle felting? Perhaps you have a small wool mat that you've been using for a while that desperately needs replacing?
Whether you're tired of breaking needles because your needle felt project is too large for the size of your old wool mat, or you're tired of your broken-down foam mat, or you're tired of using your old ironing board as a workspace (if you're a quilter) - we have the solution!
Here are a few advantages to using a wool pressing mat for your needle felting projects:
- Stability and Control: The mat provides a stable surface that doesn't allow your wool project to slip around while you are needle felting. This gives you more control and precision when pushing the needles into precise areas. No more felting outside the boundaries of a small wool mat.
- Protect Your Needles: The mat prevents your needles from sinking into the underlying surface (like your lap) and becoming bent or broken or piercing your skin. Safe needle felting is important, and this is a great way to ensure your needles don't penetrate too far (especially when working on larger projects).
- Absorbs Heat: Wool pressing mats are 100% felted wool and they function as a heat sink. When pressing seams with the mat, the heat from the iron radiates down into the mat, and into the opposite fabric layer. This provides stability as you set fibers and smooth the quilting or sewing.
- Long-lasting: wool pressing mats (aka: wool ironing mat) are durable and hard-wearing unlike foam pad pressings mats. They can handle all the needle felting projects you can throw at them.
Wool Mats from Michaels
Here are the best wool pressing mats from Michaels that will totally transform your felting (or sewing) experience.
A wool mat is like a secret weapon that every needle felter should know about and use to transform your needle felting projects!
Let’s take a look!
Wool Ironing Mat 100% Wool by Maywood Market - 12 x 12 inch
Handy Tool - Wool Ironing Board - Wool Pressing Mat
This wool mat from Maywood Market will transform the way felters work on their craft and quilters press their projects.
The 12 x 12 size is perfect for small craft projects and fits on any tabletop. Because it’s made out of 100% wool it holds heat and steam to make your pressing faster and easier.
It's recommended to use a dry iron with a wool mat. The wool mat absorbs heat and set fibers and seams without heat.
Tip: If using steam make sure to air dry if your mat feels damp.
Notable Extras:
- Small Size: Perfect for little projects and storage.
- 100% Wool: Holds heat and steam for faster pressing and protects your iron plate.
- Travel Ready: Lightweight and portable to bring to felting or quilting classes and retreats.
- Built to Last: Quality materials mean you get the best for long time use.
Review: “I LOVE this wool mat! The size is just right, and it's changed the way I needle felt. The natural wool fibers make it so easy to felt on details and also work on larger felting pieces. And I love that it’s natural!” – Emily R.
CraftyBook Pure Wool Pressing Mats - 17 x 24 in
Tabletop Wool Ironing Board - Wool Pressing Mat Large
This Pure Wool Ironing Mat from CraftyBook is an essential tool for dedicated felters. At 17 x 24 inches, the pressing mat provides a larger work surface that is ideal for bigger projects.
The thick wool fabric keeps your felted wool from slipping and creates a damp feel that helps press your pieced or embroidered block efficiently.
Notable Extras:
- Big Size: This wool ironing mat is ideal for larger felting projects, including finishing of larger wet felted fabrics and quilting projects.
- Thick Wool: The wool stops fabrics from slipping/shifting and protects the surface.
- Holds Heat: Absorbs steam and retains heat for effectively pressing fabrics.
- Multi-Use: Can be used with dry iron or steam iron and is ideal for replacing your regular ironing board. If using steam, place the mat on a protected surface.
Review: “I’m just starting out with Needle Felting but this wool ironing mat has been so helpful. It’s thick and sturdy which makes it easy to keep control of my project. I even bring it to my needle felting classes! But as far as my quilting goes, this mat has been a game changer! The size is perfect for my larger blocks and the wool fabric is quality. It holds the heat so well I don’t have to keep it on my fabric very long. It’s worth every cent!” – Karen H.
Pam Damour Mega Wool Pressing Mat - 14 × 24 in
Tabletop Wool Ironing Board - Wool Pressing Mat Large
This Wool Pressing Mat from Pam Damour was created for felters and quilters who demand efficiency and reliability from their pressing surface.
At 14 × 24 inches, this mat provides a medium-large work area that is ideal for most felting and quilting projects. The wool surface absorbs steam and heats up to deliver a fast and efficient pressing. This mat is a great addition to any felting and quilting setup.
Notable Extras:
- Medium-Large Size: Fits most felting, sewing, and quilting projects. The wool stops fabrics from shifting.
- Quality Wool: Absorbs steam and retains heat for effectively pressing in less time. If using a spray starch, rinse the mat occasionally in cold water.
- Built to Last: High quality materials mean you get the best for long time use.
- Travel Ready: Lightweight and portable around your sewing room or to classes.
Review: “This mat is a total game changer! The sturdy and flexible surface makes it so easy to manipulate my projects. This is definitely professional grade and has upped my needle felting game. And best of all, I can’t believe how much easier it is to press my clothes or felting and sewing projects since I purchased this wool ironing board! The size is perfect and the wool fabric is awesome. It’s so much quicker and easier to press my seams now. I keep it right next to my sewing machine in my craft room. Highly recommend!” – Linda S.
A Word of Caution, Tips and Tricks
- A rotary cutting mat should not be used underneath a wool pressing mat.
- The heat of a hot iron will transfer through the wool mat and create little bumps or pressed in areas on the cutting mat.
- To avoid damage to a cutting mat, place the wool pressing mat on a piece of heat resistant fabric, or even a bath towel, under the piece being pressed.
- You could also use a piece of cardboard lined with foil, or a very thin layer of Insul-Bright batting.
- The pressing mat is safe to use with a dry iron on any surface - including your ironing board.
- If you're using steam, place the mat on a protected surface (beneath the mat) as moisture will pass through the mat and could damage your table.
- Remember to not place the mat on a rotary cutting mat to press. The heat may cause the cutting mat to warp.
- If your mat feels damp after use, hang to air-dry before storing.
- Wash the mat occasionally by rinsing in cold water if using a spray starch and hang the mat to air dry.
Wool Pressing Mat Versatility
Wool mats can be used as a tool for a number of different hand crafts.
Check out a few below:
- Needle Felting Stability and Needle Protection: Set your wool project on the wool pressing mat. It will give you stability, so your project won’t shift while you are working. The wool mat also protects your needles from stabbing into the underneath surface and breaking.
- Heat Absorption: A wool mat will absorb heat from an iron. For needle felting, this heat helps to set fibers and achieve a smooth result.
- Safety: The mat provides a protected area for needle felting and helps prevent injury. For these reasons, always use a mat under your projects.
- Quilting and Sewing: Wool pressing mats provide clean crisp creases in fabric, so they’re perfect for quilting and sewing. It's a handy "ironing station" right next to your sewing machine.
- Heat Transfer Vinyl and Appliques: Great for pressing heat transfer vinyl and other appliques onto fabric.
- Pressing Linens and Apparel: Wool mats provide efficient pressing and crisp flat seams. Use them when ironing linens and apparel.
- Block Knitted Projects: A wool mat can be used when blocking your knitting projects by pinning the knitting directly onto the mat.
A wool pressing mat comes in handy when working with pieced or embroidered block projects in the following ways:
- Pieced Quilt Blocks:
- Pressing Seams: While piecing your quilt blocks, press your seams on the wool mat. The mat will stabilize and prevent any movement so you can line up your seams precisely.
- Set Seams Flat: The wool mat absorbs heat from the iron, setting seams flat for beautiful, professional looking blocks.
- Embroidered Blocks:
- Pressing Embroidery: After embroidering your block, lay it flat on the wool mat and carefully press it with a dry iron. The mat absorbs heat to flatten stitches without harming the embroidery threads.
- Protect Needlework: The mat will also safeguard delicate embroidery stitchers from getting crushed by the iron.
Bear in mind that these mats reflect and retain heat, so you can use a dry iron and at the same time get a wonderful result.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, a wool pressing mat can truly elevate your needle felting experience, providing stability, precision, and versatility.
It's the perfect handy tool for a quick press when kept next to your sewing machine.
It can replace your old ironing board.
It's so versatile it helps with most hand crafts including block knitted projects.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, investing in one of these top-notch mats will undoubtedly enhance your craft.
So why wait? Transform your needle felting projects with the perfect wool pressing mat today!
Always use a felting mat and not your legs for safety purposes!
Happy felting! 🐑
Images Source: Michaels
