Page 97 - Patchwork & Quilting - UK (February 2020)

and Views

For more information and details of
where to by the Mountain Mist Wool
Pressing Mat visit www.eqsuk.com
From our team of volunteer readers who are testing out products for us, or phone 0116 271 0033.

reviewing and recording their findings. This is what they had to say…

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH

MOUNTAIN MIST WOOL PRESSING MAT
These unique pressing mats are ½″ thick made from a fi rm pressed
wool with 10 percent polyester for added rigidity. Wool has many
properties that make it perfect for pressing; it does not melt or burn
and it absorbs moisture.

The mats hold in heat for even pressing on any fabric type. The wool
mat also compresses slightly as you press, so your seam sinks into the

mat giving a perfectly fl at finish. The heat is absorbed by the wool and
your fabric is pressed from both sides. The surface of the wool holds
your fabric in place so there is no slipping. You can also pin directly
into the mat for blocking. The mat absorbs the heat from the iron and
the mat is perfectly cool on the underside with just a bit of moisture
from the steam. They are available in fi ve sizes.

I’m a relative newcomer to patchwork and quilting but
have quickly learned that ironing is a very big part of
the craft. I found the wool pressing mat very handy,
it could be used on the dining room table next to
where I was sewing, meaning that my ironing board This thick wool mat is just right for small patchwork pieces and
is no longer a permanent fixture in my dining room! I appliqué work. The fabric doesn’t move around on the mat and

used the 8½″ x 8½″ mat, which is just big enough for could, if wanted, be pinned to it. Pressing results in nice fl at
a standard size iron. It is now part of my patchwork seams and edges and, as described, it does hold the heat really
kit and I have no doubt it will be used all the time for well. It’s size makes it easily portable however, at home, I would
smaller items. It may also be borrowed by my daughter want a larger size; it hasn’t helped that I don’t have a mini iron.
as a heat proof mat for her hair straighteners! On a negative note it does smell when hot. I’m not sure if this
Keeley is something that would fade, only time will tell, and it did slip
around on my work surface. Despite that it definitely makes the

room look tidier than having an ironing board on sentry duty,
I like it! Small enough for almost any bag. Big enough and does a better job, so is going to stay!
to press pieced pieces of material. Can be pinned too Jan
if necessary. Solid enough it doesn’t compress when
ironed on. Large or small irons work well with it. I

would definitely buy one of these for use on holiday or I used the Mountain Mist pressing mat and was surprised how
patchwork days away. good it was. I found that the mat absorbs the heat and it was
as if you were pressing the block on both sides. It would be
The description cover sheet could be more explanatory, especially good for foundation paper piecing and needle turned
certainly wouldn’t attract my eye in a shop. appliqué if, like me, you are not too good at fi nger pressing.
Alison Pat

I have found this product very useful as I tend to work with smaller projects/pieces. However the size could be a limitation for
larger work. Its size makes it easily portable and with my travel iron has become part of my travelling quilting kit. When not
in my travel kit it now lives next to my sewing machine. I used it for appliqué, paper piecing and blocks up to about 6″ square
(most of my work at the moment is 3½″ squares or 4″ x 2½″ Flying Geese). The thickness and rigidity was noticeable when
pressing my work and the ability to pin into it unexpectedly useful. The packaging is not inspiring and I’m not sure I would look
at this on a stall with other brighter quilting accessories. That said, it is a great gift for the quilter who has everything!
Veronica