This Merino Wool Pressing Mat Changed My Quilting Game FOREVER!

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

►►Check Out the Novodon Wool Pressing Mat Here → amzn.to/3Wtbpv9 ►► 5 Essential Tips for How to Create the Perfect Quilt Block Every Time - Free Workshop → www.joyfulandmerryquilting.com/opt-in

[@deannafarrell4291]

I bought this exact long Novodon merino wool mat a month ago and built a rectangle ironing board to go atop a bureau. I put a heat reflective fabric under the wool mat, then placed it on a wooden board, then glued felt under the board to protect the bureau. I wrapped the top (& a couple of inches under all the way around) with fabric that has little irons all over it 😊 and stapled it. I then put cleats on the bottom, so it would go down over the bureau, but wouldn’t move and it can be lifted off. I love it soooo much and it gives me much more space to iron a quilt!

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

I also have a DIY "big board" that my husband made. I have it on top of a shelving unit and then have this mat on top of the covered board. I love it as well! Thank you for sharing and for watching.

[@elainahall279]

I have two very serious issues with you, Mary: First, after following the “top” Instagram and TouTube Quilters/Influencers, you deserve all of the other’s followers! Since I discovered you a few days ago, my quilting life has been changed forever! Second, you are just a fun, lovely, and cute lady who I wish lived in Kansas. Keep on doing what you’re doing. Thank you, thank you, and hugs! 😊

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

You are TOO KIND!!! :-) Thank you so much - you've truly made my day!

[@kimlytle9510]

I purchased a pure wool, but not merino, mat a couple of years ago. The mid-sized mat works well for pressing next to my sewing areas and is great for retreats. The primary issue that I noticed is that the surface of my iron began discoloring. I had used neither pressing solution nor starch, so that was not a source of build-up. I cleaned my iron regularly, but the discoloring quickly returned. A friend who also experienced this problem with her mat made a pillowcase type covering for her mat. I made a muslin cover for my mat and that has stopped the discoloration issue. This solution may slightly reduce some of the benefits of a wool mat, but I still find a wool mat to be a very good tool for pressing.

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Yes - I use a pillow case for my smaller mat if I'm using a pressing solution. I didn't have any issues with a dry iron. For the large mat (in the demo) a simple piece of flannel yardage worked well for me. I didn't even tuck it under - since it's flannel it just lays nice and doesn't move. Thanks for the info, Kim!

[@JessicaPrude]

Pure wool might still have some lanolin in it?

[@cherylsmith3002]

I always use a pressing cloth on my wool mat. A good mat comes at a price, so I consider it protecting my investment. I do love my mat. I think it does make a difference.

[@meacadwell]

Mary mentioned my idea for using pillowcases on the wool mats to prevent them from getting full of fiber bits and gunky starch build-up. We talked about it in the Joyful and Merry quilt guild meetings she has (and which I'm really enjoying). Just remove the pillowcase, throw it in the wash, and put it back on. I like the ability to make the pillowcases match my sewing studio. I put bamboo cutting boards under my smaller wool cutting mats to prevent moisture and heat from getting through to my table underneath. I also have a hanging folding wool mat holder - just a long bit of felt folded in half with handles on the both ends, like a hammock for them.

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

You always have such great tips, Mea! Thank you! I can't get used to pressing straight on wood - even though, as you demonstrated - it works very well, but I LOVE and use the pillowcase idea with my smaller mats. I just use yardage (flannel as you suggested) for the large mat - works like a charm. I never thought to match my sewing room...great idea!!! (I'll have to use my Riley Blake fabrics to make mine, since that seems to be my personality! :-) Thank you!

[@joycesharp3783]

Watched this video, I’m hooked! Great presentation with no fluff! Perfect! I received a cheap wool pressing mat for Christmas. Unfortunately, I can’t use it because it actually leaves melted residue on my iron. I’ll invest in a Marino wool mat soon! Thanks!

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

You're so welcome, Joyce! I love mine - hope you love yours as well! Thanks for watching!

[@shawncurtis5290]

I purchased a wool mat and then I got a smaller one as a gift. I love them both!

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

I agree - I love mine also!

[@Quilts4fun]

I have used a wool pressing mat for many years. I love it! They were new to the quilting community so I did not know to not spay pressing solution on it. Well that lesson was learned very quickly. Now I use a pillow case like cover I made from flannel the size of my pressing mats. I have one at home and one I take to retreats. The flannel holds the fabric and I can use a pressing solution. I just remove the cover and throw it in the wash. Thanks for the great video and the tips!

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

I could have written your comment myself! The same things happened to me...but in the end...yes! I love mine as well! But I have learned a lot over the years when it comes to using it and keeping it in good shape - same as you! Thanks for sharing!

[@pam333hope]

Oh wow, what great information! I have just recently discovered you and love your informative videos. In this video, I am looking at your quilt hanging behind you and I love, love,love it! What is the name of it so I can seek out your video on it please.

[@debkienow8012]

You presented a great deal of information with this video! I appreciate all the effort you put into the research on wool mats. One thing I was told when I was first thinking about purchasing a wool mat other than to be sure it's 100% wool, was that the mats that were at least 1/2" thick were really good mats. My mat instructions said to be sure to dry both sides of the mat completely between uses to prevent mold and bug infestation. The smaller mats can be leaned up at an angle with a solid surface so the air can circulate around it. But I don't know how you would dry the large mat that you are referencing. Thank you for another great video and info on wool mats.

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Thank you for the tips! It's so important to keep our mats in good shape!

[@13abbyj]

Yes always use a wool matt. Have a small one beside my machine so I can press as I sew and a larger one on my ironing board for larger pieces. Having been to New Zealand and Australia many times to visit family I’m familiar with merino wool. I’m certainly looking into this one. Thanks Mary

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

You're so welcome Abby!

[@cherylhughes8746]

Great info, Mary

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Thanks Cheryl!

[@kathiehouser3373]

I love my wool pressing mat

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

I agree - I love mine as well!

[@debbiesheets5585]

Would foil under the wool mat work? Also, would it keep it clean and able to use terial spray if I covered the mat with an iron board pad? Or would that defeat the purpose. Thank you for your help and advice, I had been on the fence about this purchase.

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Hi Debbie - I don't think I'd put foil under the mat - the best choice is wood so that it can reflect the heat back into the pressing mat and into your fabric. If you're using a pressing solution, I simply cover it with a piece of fabric. For my smaller wool mat I use a pillow case that just slips over. For the larger full size mat, a piece of flannel works nicely. I also was on the fence when it came to purchasing this mat, Debbie. When I was asked to give it a try, I would happy to do so and after using it for my current project, I really love it. This particlar mat is large enough to fit on my "big board" which is simply a wood base with an ironing board cover over it. Then I place the wool mat over it. There is a definite difference. Hope that helps!

[@quiltinggurlquiltgal]

I have a couple of questions. What difference did you see between using the wool mat you already have and the Merino Wool mat? And how do you tell the difference between a pure wool mat and one with mixed fibers? I have a 13 x 13 inch mat that I’ve owned for years, which is working great btw. I don’t even remember where I purchased it from since I’ve had it forever it seems. Other than using a longer mat for pressing my borders, I can’t even imagine what I’d use a 60 inch long one for. And I just can’t justify the $75 expense for that reason alone.

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

I have never had the 60" size wool mat. I have had a square and an oblong one - both are 100% wool and I have used them for several years. The prices are comparable. I like the longer mat for my "big board". It covers the entire surface and I'm able to iron yardage, press the long seams of my backing fabrics and press borders. I did have one that was not 100% wool and I didn't like the moisture it produced underneath. It's an individual choice, for sure...we all have our favorite quilting tools!

[@sandycampbell6087]

Have you tried using a mat cleaner (similar to lint roller) to clean up thread strays, etc? Would covering mat w fabric help protect mat; if so, use utility fabric or regular cotton fabric? Would using fabric cover ‘take away’ from heating quilt block/strip or better to press directly on wool mat?

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Yes - I have used a mat cleaner by Gypsy Quilter. It looks like a cheese slicer and it helps to get rid of the threads. A pillow case works for the smaller mats and I use a large piece of flannel for my larger mat if I'm using pressing solution. If not, I just press right on the mat. Having an extra layer between the wool mat and the block would definitely make a difference in the heat transferred, but I didn't find it to be significant. Hope that helps!

[@donnajohnston8818]

I have a smaller Novodon wool pressing mat and it left black marks on my iron that transferred to my quilt block that I was pressing. Not happy

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

I'm so sorry to hear that. Did you contact Customer Service? I have not had any issues with black marks when using the mat and I have used it with many white fabrics.

[@maryannmorris3782]

Mary what is that pattern behind you please

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Thanks Mary - that is our current Scrapbusting Challenge. We just started this week, so it's not too late to sign up. If you'd like to join us - here's the link: Discovering Stars Among the Scraps - 30 Day Scrapbusting Challenge www.joyfulandmerryquilting.com/challenge

[@lizmonaghan3082]

you are so dang cute! Love watching your videos!!

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

Aww...thank you so much!

[@Swist1213]

Great info but an obvious 'infomercial.' "Price was one of the issues that I had with buying a wool pressing mat. That's why I didn't get one. . . " I would have appreciated your review more if you had paid for the item. Reviews for a product that you received for free brings out the skeptic in me just like Amazon reviews that post that the reviewer received the item for free in exchange for a review. But still, there is lots of very good information in this video. Would I like one? Yes! Will I buy one? No! Maybe I am being influenced by the previous video I watched - about how people have way too much stuff that they really don't need.

[@joyfulandmerryquilting]

@Swist1213 - I completely understand your skepticism-there are plenty of 'infomercial-style' videos out there, but that’s not how I approach product reviews. Whether I buy an item myself (which I do most of the time) or receive it from a company, my reviews are always honest and based on real use. I would never give a positive review of a product I didn’t genuinely like, and I take my integrity seriously. The fact that I received this item for free doesn’t change my honest assessment-if I didn’t think it was worth considering, I simply wouldn’t feature it. I also make sure to disclose when something was sent to me so that viewers can have full transparency. As for price, I completely get it-some quilting tools can be an investment, and whether it’s worth it depends on the individual. My goal is always to provide useful, fact-based information so people can make informed decisions based on their own needs and budgets. I appreciate that you still found value in the video, even if this particular product isn’t for you!