When I was wandering through Wal-Mart’s housewares department, I found a Twin Pack of Non-Stick Silicone Bakeware baking mats in a box for $10. The mats aren’t technically twins because they are two different sizes. The smaller of the two is 9 inches by 13 inches. The larger one is 11 inches by a little over 16-1/2 inches.
There are one inch markings along the left and bottom edge of the mats that I use for blocking. .
I brought the mats home to see if these fleshy, red mats ( they also come in blue) would work in my quilt studio for protecting my iron from fusible web. The shiny, rippled side goes down against the work surface and the matt finished side is the working side.
I first used the mat on top of my ironing board cover to iron fabric. Just to be on the safe side, I strapped a non-stick cover that keeps me from scorching fabric onto the soleplate of my iron to protect it. I covered the mat entirely with a large piece of fabric. The fabric seemed to iron more quickly and easily because the mat reflected the heat from under the fabric.
Next I used my quilting iron and ironed a piece of fabric that was smaller than the soleplate of my iron. I was surprised to find the non-scorch cover didn’t move easily against the baking mat surface but created a friction instead. As a result, I undressed the iron to expose the stainless steel soleplate and ironed again. This restored the smooth motion for ironing.
I had the same “sticky” result with an iron with a Teflon soleplate. At first glance, this may seem to be a negative trait but it does re-enforce pressing over ironing so I have less distortion of my pieced blocks. I placed fusible web on top of my fabric piece that was right side down on the mat and pressed. When the piece cooled, it pealed it off the baking mat easily without leaving any residue.
I don’t use water in my irons because the irons last longer by staying dry inside but I do use a spray bottle to provide steam when I want it. The nice thing about these baking mats is that they handle water better than the regular ironing board cover. Using the mat on top of the ironing board cover to protect it from water will make the cover last longer too. An iron cord minder will keep the cord out of the way while you are working too.
Don’t use these mats or any silicone baking mats on top of your self-healing cutting mat because the heat could cause the cutting boards to warp. These Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mats
The only disadvantage to the thinner Applique Pressing Sheets sold specifically for pressing in your sewing room is that the baking mats are not transparent like the Pressing Sheets. I can’t see a pattern through the baking mat making it a little harder to line up applique pieces. If you just want to protect your iron and ironing board from fusible, this Twin Pack of baking mats will give you twice as much protection at half the price of the Applique Pressing Sheets.
Hello and welcome to my site! My name is Shannon and I have been and avid quilter for over 20 years. My love of quilts came at an early age from my grandmother. I am a mother of 2 and lives in the US with her loving husband.
Thanks for the info! Getting ready for a collage piece and didn’t want to pay the crazy price being asked for in a sewing/fabric store
Hi Shannon, thank you for your information.
I too have been using a similar silicone n fibreglass mat by MasterChef Fibreglass Silicone Baking Mat 40x32cm costing $27.00. I reside in western NSW, Australia and I find it interesting though sad that there are products similar/same for fusing applique for quilting on the market that are double+ the price of these silicone n fibreglass cooking sheets.
Whilst quilting originated from patchwork for affordability reasons, over the years quilting has grown into a huge market and should not inhibit low income earners to learn and enjoy producing patchwork/applique/FMQ quilting projects by companies branding and selling quilting products at ridiculous prices.
I absolutely agree with you. Quilting has become a big business.
Hello. I am very curious regarding the various uses for the baking mats–especially for quilting/applique use. I was watching a YouTube video today where they were showing how to do applique work using a Silicone Mat (Precision Fusing Tool) over an artist’s “light box” — this way you can better see your pattern, etc. And, they too said after you use Heat ‘n Bond type product on your applique pieces, you can arrange these pieces on the mat over your pattern–using the light box. Then, take your silicone mat right over to a “pressing mat or ironing board” (and the applique pieces didn’t fall off), and pressing is precise and easier to attach applique pieces–they can easily be hand removed from the silicone mat and then pressed again onto your fabric. I loved this idea and looked this company up and it had various prices online, but the one they recommend on the video was around $30-$39 US Dollars. I thought that was a little too expensive, especially when it looked just like one of my clear silicone baking mats. I had an “ah-ha” moment and through my curiosity and searching, I found your review here. So… let me get this right, you are suggesting they are pretty much the same product, but one is just labeled and sold specifically for appliques/crafting? Therefore, if I bought the $10 Walmart silicone clear baking mats and use them exclusively for my applique pressing applications, they will work just as well as the expensive ones?
maybe I’m just confused, I thought the purpose of using the mat was to place your fused applique pieces on TOP of the mat. That way the bottom most piece won’t stick to the mat, the fusible will still be functional when you place it on the background fabric? I appreciate the temperature references.
I thought I’d posted a comment earlier but it seems it’s disappeared. I’ll just try again!
Do you know if there is a difference between a Teflon and a fiberglass pressing/ironing sheet? If there is, what is it?
Thank you.
Hello Margie, sorry I’m actually not familiar with the fiberglass ironing sheets. If I get I chance to look into them, I will let you know.