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09/06/2018

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Wow! Thank you for your detailed research. It was obvious from your reporting that your research can be trusted and is not just an advertisement. I, like you don't buy anything without researching. I'm thinking of a wool matt and you just saved me a lot of time!

Thanks Deborah, glad we could be of service!

I bought a high quality 100% wool mat. Love it for pressing fly seams, but it leaves felt lint on my fabric. Bummer. I used a tape roller to try to remove some of the felt, but didn’t help. So now I put a cotton press cloth on top of the wool. Seems to defeat some of the advantage of the wool mat. Any suggestions to avoid getting lint on my fabric?

I actually own alpaca pressing mats (3 sizes). They are washable, do not have the wool aroma & seem to hold the heat even better. They really are wonderful & no worry about the surface underneath.

Kayleen,
I apologize that you did not get a quick response! Your comment was posted 4 days before our second bundle of joy made her appearance in this world, and I have to admit I did not check the blog comments. please forgive me!
I am sorry to hear about this problem! Unfortunately, I don't know that I have any good suggestions for you. A lint roller would have been my first suggestion as well. How long have you had the mat? Perhaps over time the wool will lay flat and any loose fibers will work their way off. The only other option I can think of it to use a 'fuzz remover' or 'fabric shaver' to trim any loose or projecting fibers. They are considered safe to use on wool sweaters, so I would imagine as long as you follow instructions, it would also be safe you use on your pressing mat.
I would also suggest contacting the company you purchased it from to see if they have any suggestions, or care instructions that may help your situation. If you find a solution or hear from the company please share your experience!
Molly

Ann,
I have not heard of alpaca pressing mats, however I can see how they would function in a similar fashion. I will have to check them out!
Molly

Not to be contrary, but the process you quoted from American Felt and Craft is not felting. I am surprised a company with 'felt' in the name would get this wrong! Felting is a mechanical process where in the fibers are interlocked. What they described is fulling. They are not the same process, nor do they return the same product.

Here is a great explanation of the differences between the two processes:

https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/1792/felting-fulling-or-boiled-wool

Again, I am not posting this to be contrary or negative, just to share the correct information.

I purchased the 13.5 x13.5 mat on Amazon and made by Precision tools.
I have been having a problem with material melting onto my iron?
This happens nearly all the time, couls this mean a clone mat?

"I purchased the 13.5 x13.5 mat on Amazon and made by Precision tools.
I have been having a problem with material melting onto my iron?
This happens nearly all the time, couls this mean a clone mat? " ` B Brown

Yes, this means you got a fake. One has to be very careful buying from Amazon as there are many companies selling look-a-likes that are fakes. They copy the packaging so it easy to get fooled. I had this happen with a face scrub I love.

The fake mats have polyester fibers in them so melt when you use the temperatures needed to press quilting cotton; this is how they can sell them at such a low price.

As for the scorching mentioned in the blog, I have had this happen and was told it is from using starch or Best Press. I have noticed the scorching does not transfer onto my fabrics and when I stopped using Best Press the scorching eventually went away.

Recently, I bought a wool mat, I'm still trying to decide if it was worth it or not. I press on a large quilting board I made a few years ago, 1/2 inch Plywood, one single layer of cotton batting and duck canvas and it works like a charm for pressing flat, better than the wool mat.

I have a brown spot the size of a saucer on my mat, no steam was used what could have caused it

I have two wool pressing mats, one 17x24 and the ohter is 9x9. I have scorched marks on the large one while piecing a throw. I just started a baby quilt, and I am using the 9x9. It scorched as well! I have NOT used spray starch on either, and both mats are 100 percent wool purchased at local quilt shops. I have used the "cotton" setting on my iron, dry on the large mat and with steam on the small mat thinking it would cut down on the time of pressing and hopefully prevent scorching. But it still scorched. Not sure why. I am planning to use the "wool" setting thinking the cotton is just too hot for the wool mat?? Anyone else have this problem without using spray starch?

Yes, I'll try wool setting and will not use Best Press

You could place a meat/baking temperature probe on your iron, to see how hot it really is; at the different settings.

My cat decided to use my brand-new wool pressing mat to sharpen her claws. Consequently, it’s no longer smooth on the one side with bumps on that side. I wondered if dampening the affected areas and hard pressing would restore it. So far I’ve hesitated to try to repair the mat without expert advice. (BTW, she’s now banned from the sewing room.)

JoAnn,
That is quite the predicament. I would think that the process of felting the wool again would be one way of returning it to it's original state. What brand of wool pressing mat do you own? Before you do anything else, I would suggest calling the company and seeing if they have any advice?
Did she only get one side? Perhaps you can flip it over and use the other side? After continuing to press on the flatter of the two sides the pressure may help the damaged side. I will do some research and see if I can find any other helpful suggestions.
Molly

Kelly Larson,
Thank you for sharing that link. We are always happy to have more accurate information!

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