7 Top Wool Pressing Mats For Quilters

A beautiful quilt involves getting many details right.

Precisely pressed seams on your quilt blocks represent one of those things that can make a massive difference in the outcome. 

Flat and straight seams ensure that blocks fit together correctly.

A fantastic tool for getting every block smooth and perfect is a wool pressing mat for quilting. 

Not only can a wool pressing pad improve the quality of your quilt blocks, but it also makes ironing more efficient.

You will spend less time pressing and more time being creative.

	Tidy Monster 17” x 13.5” Wool Pressing Mat for Quilting
	Wool Pressing Mat – 17″ x 13.5″ Quilting Ironing Pad
	OHOCO Wool Pressing Mat for Quilting – 17″ x 24″ Extra Large Felt Ironing Pad
	Wool Pressing Mat 36″ X 18″ | XL 100% Natural Wool
	Coobe 17″ X 13″ Wool Pressing Mat for Quilting with Carrying Case and Iron Rest
	Wool Pressing Mat for Quilting 60 x 22 inches
	17″ x 24″ Wool Ironing Mat – Authentic 100% New Zealand Wool Pressing Pad

What Is a Wool Pressing Mat?

A piece of 1/2-inch thick wool felt forms a wool pressing mat. The natural texture of the highly compressed felt stops fabric from slipping or shifting beneath your iron.

You can even pin fabric pieces to the thick wool mat for added stability while pressing.

The wool felt also enhances the pressing action of the hot iron.

Because animals grow wool to retain their body heat, wool can capture heat and then impart that heat to the underside of the fabric you’re working on. 

This action allows you to achieve thoroughly pressed results without multiple press-and-hold motions with the iron. You will get all of your quilt blocks pressed faster than with a regular ironing board.

The use of steam will cease to be necessary as well. You’ll only need to set your iron to the “wool” temperature setting to get excellent results.

What to Look for in a Wool Pressing Pad

As you compare mats, you have to decide what is the best wool pressing mat. A wool pressing pad made from 100% unbleached wool is a must. It should contain no dyes.

A good mat will be at least 1/2-inch thick. You need that thickness to protect your underlying work surface from suffering heat damage.

Beyond these main characteristics, make your choice based on:

• The size of your workspace.
• Whether you intend to travel with your mat often.
• The size of the quilt blocks that you make.
• Manufacturer product warranty.

7 Top Wool Pressing Mats for Quilters

1. Tidy Monster 17” x 13.5” Wool Pressing Mat for Quilting

This 1/2-inch thick wool ironing mat will sufficiently insulate whatever surface that you’re working on from damaging levels of heat. The thick wool has sufficient mass to absorb and hold heat to effectively iron fabric from both sides while you press down with the iron from the top.

The 17-inch by 13.5-inch size fits into small spaces. However, if you routinely work with larger quilt blocks or plan to iron clothing, you may want to choose a larger size.

With that said, most hobbyists will find this to be a useful size, especially for portability.

The increased fabric stability provided by the felt’s texture results in smartly pressed seams with less effort than working on other types of pads.

Pros:

• 100% New Zealand wool
• No synthetic fillers
• Size fits most quilt blocks
• Users report faster pressing

Con:

• Might produce a wool odor when heated

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2. Wool Pressing Mat – 17″ x 13.5″ Quilting Ironing Pad

Like other felt pads, you don’t have to use steam when pressing on this pad. You can also pin directly to the surface, which is very useful when working on small or highly detailed items.

The size works well for many situations, and the mat can be rolled up for easy transport or storage.

As a 100% wool pad, the felt delivers the features that you’re looking for. Specifically, you get the ability to hold the fabric steady so that it doesn’t shift as you work.

Downward pressure from your iron will produce a crisp seam right away. You won’t have to press and hold multiple times to get the flat seams that you desire.

Pros:

• Portable size
• 100% wool construction
• 1/2-inch thickness to protect working surface
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Con:

• May shed felt fibers

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3. OHOCO Wool Pressing Mat for Quilting – 17″ x 24″ Extra Large Felt Ironing Pad

The 17-inch by 24-inch mat takes up more space but still occupies substantially less area than an ironing board. Its larger size also introduces the option of placing it on an ironing board if you want to work that way. As a mat, it remains easy to take on the road to a quilting bee or retreat.

You’ll get a 1/2-inch thick pad of 100% New Zealand wool. All-natural wool is neither dyed nor bleached so that it cannot introduce any discoloration to the fabrics you’re working on.

The felting process compacts the fibers tightly together to form a textured surface that grips the fabric and insulates your work surface. Mat works well with all types of fabrics. Like other mats, this one is thick enough to use pins on.

The manufacturer acknowledges that the product has a slight wool odor. Most users find that this odor fades over time.

Pros:

• Larger size
• 1/2-inch thickness
• No dyes or bleaches
• 100% New Zealand wool

Cons:

• A little higher price than others
• Some people detect a wool odor

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4. Wool Pressing Mat 36″ X 18″ | XL 100% Natural Wool

When you want a larger pad, choose this 36-inch by 18-inch wool mat. Although you’ll have to pay a bit more due to its size, the size lets you arrange multiple small projects or one big one. It’s wide enough to iron a collar if you want to use it for pressing shirts and not just quilt blocks.

Mat is about 1/2-inch thick, sufficient to provide the heat retention quality that warms your fabric quickly from both sides while still protecting the surface below the mat. This product is advertised as odorless, although some people can still smell a wool odor.

The manufacturer uses a felting process to tightly compact the 100% wool fibers to prevent shedding onto your fabric. The result is a flat but textured surface that stops fabric from slipping beneath your iron.

Pros:

• Comes with cotton storage bag
• Limited fiber shedding
• Large size
• 100% money-back guarantee

Con:

• Could transfer black goo to overheated iron

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5. Coobe 17″ X 13″ Wool Pressing Mat for Quilting with Carrying Case and Iron Rest

With dimensions of 17 inches by 13 inches, this mat fits easily next to your sewing machine. It’s a great choice for people working in tight quarters. Additionally, this mat comes with a carrying case and iron rest. The carrying case is attractive and looks like a sleek purse.

Quilting instructors who run classes or people who attend group quilting events will appreciate this small and easily transported wool pressing mat.

The manufacturer explicitly states that the pad is made from New Zealand wool with a reputation for fine fiber quality. This material supports a felting process that eliminates concerns about fiber shedding.

Pros:

• Great travel size
• Includes carrying case
• Money-back guarantee
• 100% New Zealand wool

Con:

• A wool odor may be present

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6. Wool Pressing Mat for Quilting 60 x 22 inches

Here is one of the largest options for a pressing mat. With a length of 5 feet (60 inches), you get a mat that you can use to press a pair of slacks. The long size will also enable quilters to pin multiple blocks in place and then press them in one quick session with an iron.

The mat is made from New Zealand wool and comes with a carrying case.

Pros:

• Large enough for all projects
• Comes with carrying case
• Money-back guarantee

Con:

• Relatively high price

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7. 17″ x 24″ Wool Ironing Mat – Authentic 100% New Zealand Wool Pressing Pad

The 17-inch by 24-inch size is popular because it meets most quilters’ goals for saving space and portability. Like most competitors, it’s made from high-quality New Zealand wool.

The 1/2-inch thick pad lets you convert any flat surface to an ironing space while protecting the surface from heat.

You should note that this product states that it needs to be stored flat. Some mats can be rolled for storage, but not this one. You can hand wash it should it become dirty.

Some people use lint rollers to collect fibers and thread left from quilt pieces.

Pros:

• Portable size
• 100% New Zealand wool
• No-questions-asked lifetime warranty

Con:

• Higher price than others of its size

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Are Wool Pressing Mats Worth It?

Your new wool mat will most likely prove to be immediately worthwhile. Faster pressing means that you can focus more of your precious time on sewing. 

Better pressing also translates into stunning results. The fact that you won’t need to turn on the steam while pressing on a wool pad creates a more comfortable work environment for you.

Concerns about steam burns will become a thing of the past.

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About the author: Miriam Ronne is a lover of all things quilting and sewing. She is a self-taught quilter and is constantly learning and broadening her skill set to create one-of-a-kind quilts! When she’s not behind her sewing machine you can find her playing with her fur babies or trying her hand at other crafty things.