How to Care for your Alpaca / Wool Pressing Mat

/ quiltinggail

Do you have an Alpaca/Wool Pressing Mat? Mine came from Prairie Spirit Alpacas in Alberta, Canada. You can order one HERE. It is totally made in Canada.

You will find that many commercial mats will say they have wool from a specific country, but read the small print: “Made in China.” But the Prairie Spirit mats are totally Canadian! 🇨🇦 The alpacas live in Alberta, their fleece is sent to Ontario for processing and then the mats return to Alberta.

Why use an alpaca/wool pressing mat? 

The mat will enable you to ensure perfectly crisp pressed seams with little or no shifting.  The surface of the mat ‘grabs’ your fabric, so it doesn’t shift.  The alpaca/wool pressing mat has little, if any “wet wool” or “wet dog” odour compared to wool mats.

I use my mat EVERY time I press my seams … if I press them open or to one side, I’m using my mat. I also use it to press my fabric prior to cutting. It gets out the wrinkles which aids in having perfect cuts!

I am allergic to wool. My Alpaca/Wool pressing mat has very little wool in it … I’m not sneezing my nose off when I use it! Nor am I itchy after touching it! BONUS!!

Here’s a few pictures of where I’ve used my Alpaca/Wool pressing mat:

How to Care for your Pressing Mat

Do not place the mat directly on furniture.   Even though your Alpaca/Wool mat is ½” thick, the intense heat you use when pressing may penetrate the mat and ruin the surface below.  Place a protective underlay or use it on your ironing board.

BE AWARE: many pressing mat instructions will say that you can place mats directly on furniture … please do not risk ruining your furniture!

Do not spray Best Press or any starch directly on the mat.  If you are going to use spray, it is wise to make a cotton covering for the mat.  This covering can be taken off and washed to remove excess spray.

You can spray water directly on the mat.  Then use a dry iron to achieve perfectly pressed seams.  Or you can use a steam iron.

If you HAVE to wash your mat, do it by gently placing it in cool water and rubbing your hand over the surface. Lay it flat to dry. Do not place mat in a washing machine or dryer.  

You may find that occasionally threads will stick to your mat. The solution is simple: use a lint roller to collect all those loose threads.

When using a pressing mat, you will find that all of your seams are perfect! Well, as long as your stitching is straight! LOL!!

If you want a pressing mat, I highly recommend Prairie Spirit Alpacas. HERE.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

8 thoughts on “How to Care for your Alpaca / Wool Pressing Mat”

  1. Hi Gail! I hope you are doing well. I just LOVE my Alpaca mat from Prairie Spirit Alpaca. I am allergic to so many things but have never once had an issue with their mat. Also, it is so nice that isn’t a odor or smell when using it. The wool mat I had always made me sneeze. Finally, I have been using one for some time and it still looks like new. I use mine on the ironing board, and it does a fabulous job with all of my blocks and pieces. I would highly recommend these to anyone. Happy Friday! {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

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  3. Thanks for the tips on cleaning, Gail! I’ve been very careful with mine so as not to get it soiled! I LOVE this mat much better than my two wool ones. I, too, am allergic to wool and have no problems at all with this alpaca mat. I’m so thankful they gave the ambassadors one last year!! I use it all the time.

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