8 1/2″x 8 1/2″ Square Wool Pressing Mat

8 1/2 inch square Wool Pressing Mat

The 8 1/2″x 8 1/2″ Square Wool Pressing will change your pressing accuracy for the better. Especially when pressing open “half square triangles” (triangle-squares).

Every single block and seam you press will be crisper and flatter after pressing on a wool mat. It will change your piecing life. No more stretched or misshapen blocks.

Use with steam or dry iron.  Wool has unique properties that make it ideal for pressing blocks without distortion. The wool grabs and holds the fabric or block in place while pressing. It absorbs the excess steam.  Wool is a natural fiber and will not scorch or burn. You will find that pressing other fabrics, such as lace, embroideries, applique, and delicates much easier.

If you make garments, create hand or machine embroidery, you will find the Wool Pressing Mat indispensable. Press your motifs without flattening or creating press marks in the background. Velvet presses beautifully as well, (of course, you must still take some precautions when pressing velvet). Press lace so it lays flat, chiffon and other delicate fabrics pressed on wool also do well.

The 8 1/2″x 8 1/2″ Square Wool Pressing is ideal for 8″ blocks or smaller. The 13″x 13″ square pressing mat is great for all the block pieces or a 12 1/2″ block and the 14″x19″ pressing mat is perfect for most blocks and pressing seam allowances.  Still, on the fence, the 4.5″ square pressing mat is a great size to try before investing in a larger pressing mat.

13.5″x13.5″ Wool Pressing Mat : Wool Makes Pressing Better

13 1/2" Square Wool Pressing Mat

The 13.5″x13.5″ Wool Pressing Mat will change your pressing accuracy. Especially when pressing open “half square triangles” (triangle-squares).

Every single block and seam you press will be crisper and flatter after pressing on a wool mat. It will change your piecing life. No more stretched or misshapen blocks.

Use with steam or dry iron.  Wool has unique properties that make it ideal for pressing blocks without distortion. The wool grabs and holds the fabric or block in place while pressing. It absorbs the excess steam.  Wool is a natural fiber and will not scorch or burn.

If you make garments, create hand or machine embroidery, you will find the Wool Pressing Mat indispensable. Press your motifs without flattening or creating press marks in the background. Velvet presses beautifully as well, (of course, you must still take some precautions when pressing velvet). Press lace so it lays flat, chiffon and other delicate fabrics pressed on wool also do well.

The 13.5″x13.5″ Wool Pressing Mat is ideal for 13″ blocks or smaller. The 8 1/2″ square pressing mat is great for all the block pieces or for use at the sewing machine. The large 14″x 19 rectangle pressing mat” is ideal for the larger blocks and pressing those long seams. Still, on the fence, the 4.5″ square is a great size to try before investing in a larger pressing mat.

 

The 3 Benefits of Pressing with a Wool Mat

Taking a slight detour to talk about another amazing tool for the sewing room. Aside from accurate cuts and seam allowances, another place accuracy counts is when pressing. I have been using a Wool Pressing Mat recently and I LOVE it. I can’t believe we thought the ironing board, with a foam pad or a pressing board with cotton batting, was good enough!

Seams pressed on a Wool Pressing Mat
Pressed on Wool

Pressing Matters

The Wool Pressing Mat is a game changer when pressing seams for quilting, and well just about any other seam you need to press; whether quilting, crafting or creating garments. It makes those seams behave beautifully.

Since this quilt is primarily half square triangles, there was plenty of room for error when pressing them open. So this was the perfect time to document how well the pressing mat does when pressing a bias seam.

Nice and Flat Seams
A pile of nice flatly pressed seams

When you use a wool pressing mat several things come in to play. The most difficult seam to press is a bias seam, like the one in a half square triangle block. How many times have you pressed a half square triangle block open, (or any block), on an ironing board, only to discover that you have pressed inaccurately? Maybe not you, but that the block moved and so did the bias of the square. Then when trying to correct the seam, it will not press out or it has stretched the block, or… well is just not right! I know it is difficult to tell when you are pressing a seam or ironing a seam… add steam and it could be worse!

Before you ask, I almost always use steam. I like it.

So to test the wool pressing mat I pressed every single seam of this top using a wool pressing mat. The half square triangle blocks pressed beautifully. Flat and crisp without any distortion.

Bias pressed without distortion
Flat pressed bias seam on a Wool Pressing Mat

Three ways a Wool Pressing Mat makes for a great pressing surface

1. A Wool Mat has a grip-naturally

When you press on a wool mat, the wool holds the fabric in place, while you gently press. The fabric or block does not slide or slip while pressing. In this case, the white half was on the mat while I opened the color side to press flat.

2. A Wool Mat has moisture-naturally

Wool naturally has a bit of moisture in it, so you get a slight benefit even without pressing with steam. However, if you like steam, it absorbs the steam so the heat and moisture from steam work from the top and the bottom. The pressing mat may become warm and or damp, and if pressing on a cutting mat or on other sensitive surfaces, may cause damage.

3. A Wool Mat gives-naturally

The reason you get such a crisply pressed seam is that the wool gives a bit, unlike pressing on a padded ironing board or pressing board, (cotton batting compress firmer than wool). And if you are a turned applique fan, you won’t believe how nicely your applique flattens without creating puckers and tucks!!

** Tip-

If you have a preference to which side to press the seam to, place the block (half square triangle block in this case), on the pressing surface with the light fabric on the bottom, (or the side you want to press the seam ‘away’ from). Set the seam, (before opening the block, press the line of stitching), next gently lift open the block and using light pressure nudge along the entire seam to open with the iron. You always have better control of the seam when you press from the top.

Pressing a bias seam on a Wool Pressing Mat
Lay the side you want to press the seam allowance away from on the Wool Pressing Mat

I also pressed all the joining seams on the wool mat and it lays perfectly flat! Do I like a pressing mat? Absolutely! And so will YOU! It solves several pressing issues, such as stretching and distortion, adds padding for pressing turned edge applique or embroidery, and enhances the power of the iron with or without steam. The wool pressing mat is 100% natural, felted wool. Environmentally friendly and even more, helps you to create with even better results. Several sizes of Wool Pressing Mats are in stock. Look for your favorite sizes 4 1/2″ Square, 8 1/2″ Square, 13 1/2″ Square and the 14×19″ Rectangle Pressing Mats at I Have A Notion™.

Have you tried a Wool Pressing Mat? Did you like it? Did you have the same experience as I? Please share your opinion in the comments. I would love to hear your thoughts.

This post is a continuation from “Using the Tools” and where this quilt top started.