Easy DIY Project: How to Make a Wool Pressing Mat That Works
Prices are high, even when it comes to wool pressing mats. Getting the right tools to do a good ironing job should not cost you an arm and a leg. The good news is that do it yourself projects can produce the results you want at a far cheaper cost.
How to make a wool pressing mat: It isn’t hard to make your wool pressing mat. The first step is to find and use 3 different fabrics. Then press them while making 3 different layers. Then find a board that gives you a lot of ironing space and place the layers on top of it. And you are good to go.
To make your wool pressing mat or get ideas on how to do it, just continue to read our article. It is filled with those ideas as well as tips on how to make your own wool pressing at and save money doing it.
Making a Wool Pressing Mat 101
What is a Wool Pressing Mat?
A wool pressing mat is basically what the name says. It is made of wool, and it is used to help you press your clothes, quilts, and other sewing projects. They normally run about 3/4 of an inch thick and strive to make your ironing time go by a little quicker.
What makes these mats so popular is that they are supposed to trap the heat as you iron and ‘press’ the other side of your fabric as you are working. This technique means you can do both sides at the same time and save you a lot of ironing work.
The good thing about these mats is that they are not hard to use, and they are not that difficult to get into the right position. The trick is when to know to use steam or not. Steam usually passes through these mats and soak materials underneath the mat.
If you do not mind that situation then steam away. But wool pressing mats work best when steam is excluded from the ironing process.
Why Make Your Own Wool Pressing Mat?
The answer to that question is economics. Depending on where you buy your wool pressing mat, you may spend up to $50 to $75 just for one small one. That is a pretty steep price to pay just to cut down on some ironing work.
Also, you can tailor-make your wool pressing mat to fit your situation. Customizing the mat to meet your pressing or ironing needs will be a great benefit to you and make ironing easier on your body.
One of the sizes you can buy measures about 17 by17 inches and you can get it in 1/2 inch thicknesses. That brings up another reason to make your wool pressing mat. You can make sure you get the thickness you want that traps heat without damaging any materials underneath it.
A final reason why you should make your own is that by completing the project you can feel confident and know that you are very handy. This confidence lays a good foundation that should carry over to your sewing projects.
Also, the added confidence helps you do a better job at ironing or sewing. You are capable and equipped to handle just about any sewing issue that comes your way.
Making a Wool Pressing Mat
Sometimes making your own items are more a labor of love than an economical move. The costs can add up if you are only making one item out of the supplies you are purchasing. This includes making a wool pressing mat.
Usually, your savings enter into the picture when you make more than one. Making just one will make buying a ready to use wool pressing mat attractive by comparison.
Here are some steps to follow if you decide you want to make your own:
- Step 1. you can buy some wool to make your pressing mat or crochet a piece of out of wool yarn. The size of your crochet piece of wool can reach about 40 by 30 inches in size.
- Step 2. If you do the latter, then you will need to send it through the washing machine a few times using hot water to get it to look like you want. Just do not use the spin cycle.
- Step 3. Shave the wool piece and make sure you get all the loose and rough threads and fibers off the wool.
- Step 4. trim the wool piece to the size you want and your wool pressing mat is ready for use.
The key is to make sure you plan for a lot of shrinkage when cutting or making your wool piece. The only drawback to this DIY option is that your end result may not be as thick as the store-bought items.
DIY Wool Pressing Mat Tips
When you are getting ready to make your wool pressing mat, it is always a good idea to get a few tips to guide your work. There is no particular order to these tips:
- 1. Practice - by this we mean practice cutting the shape you want and getting the size of wool just right. This step may save you from doing the process all over when the wool shrinks to a size that is too small.
- 2. Wool shrinks - it is not a fabric that defends itself very well against water. Always cut more fabric that you are going to need.
- 3. Use a hinge - it is possible to place a fabric hinge in your wool pressing mat. This feature lets you use it folded or unfolded, especially if the thickness is not too thick. The hinge also makes it easier to carry the mat if you need to take it with you to a class or other sewing activity.
- 4. Wool blankets work - if you are a bit cheap and do not want to spend a lot of money on supplies, you can use a wool blanket instead. Just fold it up so it has the thickness you need. Its weight should keep it very still.
- 5. Finding a wool blanket - thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales are always good locations to find inexpensive wool blankets to use.
Why Use a Wool Pressing Mat?
One of the main reasons to use a wool pressing mat is the fact that you can use it just about anywhere. An ironing board, table, a makeshift cutting board or even an old p[ice of wood that is lying around the house.
That versatility lets you use any surface you have handy. Another good reason is that you do a better job of pressing. You save time by using a top wool presser mat. A third reason is that the wool construction materials keep your blocks still.
The wool grabs the fabric you are ironing and hold sit in place making your ironing time a lot easier on you. That is a big benefit especially when you have a busy schedule to maintain.
The final reason you should use a wool presser mat is that it is made from natural construction materials. And if you like the smell of wool, these top wool presser mats will accommodate that feeling.
These items may be expensive but in the long run, you may save on time and a little money by using one. They are a durable and strong product that should last you a long time under normal use.
Are Wool Pressing Mats Worth It?
After looking at the reasons why you should use a wool pressing mat, you should agree that they are worth the time and trouble to add to your ironing arsenal. One of the more frustrating things about ironing is that the fabrics can move on you at the wrong time.
These wool pressing mats eliminate that frustration making your ironing less stressful and a lot easier on you. The wool should grab your fabric and keep it nice and stable so you can get through your ironing chore quickly. Also, with the heat help, you should only have to press one side of the garment.
These advantages may have you enjoying doing the ironing once again. Having your workload cut down a little bit also gives you time and extra energy for your family when they come home.
That alone makes using a wool pressing mat worth it.
How to Store Wool Pressing Mat
When not in use, storing your presser mat should not be that difficult. Depending on their size, they should fit into a cupboard with ease. Failing that, you may just leave them behind your sewing machine leaning against a wall.
Since wool can absorb moisture, you certainly do not want to store them in an area that gets a lot of moisture. Because they are flat and not that thick, there should be a nice out of the way place to put them until you need to use them again.
What to Look for When Buying a Wool Pressing Mat
When you are not in the mood to make your own pressing mat, you can always buy one. They are readily available and you should be able to find one just about anywhere.
Having a few guidelines to follow help you find the best wool pressing mats on the market today:
- 1. Flexibility - make sure the wool presses down easily. This feature helps hold your fabric and makes your blocks a lot flatter.
- 2. Texture - since it is wool there is always going to have a texture you want to make sure that the texture is rough enough to grab your fabric and hold on tight. Cheaper mats may not perform very well here because they are not made out of superior wool products.
- 3. Thickness - the thicker the better for your items that you are using to iron on. Usually, 1/2 inch is about as thin as you should go. Thicker pressing mats should work best with thicker fabrics like quilts.
- 4. Get more than one - here you should have a few mats on hand. That is because you may need to iron when you are away from home. The smaller versions travel better. Also, different sizes fit different fabrics better than others. You should always be prepared and not just have one lone wool pressing mat around the house.
- 5. Odor-free - if you have a sensitive nose, then this version should be the best one for you. An odor-free wool pressing mat won’t distract you from your work.
Where to Buy a Wool Pressing Mat?
If you didn’t already guess, Amazon is a great place to find a good wool pressing mat. They come in all shapes and sizes and you should find them a lot cheaper than the $50 to $75 prices quoted earlier. Just click this link to get to them.
Joann has wool pressing mats for sale but be forewarned, they are not that cheap when you use their payment option. Click here to be taken to the website. Then the internet is full of options where you can find a pressing mat to purchase.
You can look at your local sewing or fabric stores, department stores, and small shops.
There shouldn’t be a problem in finding a wool pressing mat that fits your budget and needs.
Some Final Words
Making your own wool pressing mat may be your ticket to saving money while easing your ironing work. They are not hard to make and do not take a lot of time. Plus, you may save a few dollars when you do it yourself.
The good thing about doing it yourself is that you can make them any way you want and have them look any way you want. That freedom is priceless.
