I started mat watering my 'nursery' 1oz cups using an acrylic (?) blanket in a double layer.
I haven't exactly figured it out yet though - and with that bit of a cold spell (aka someone left the window open), I actually think the extra humidity was what killed a bunch of them (stem rot). So I grew hesitant... I left the mats, but mostly top water and then just add a bit to the mats.
I am going to give it another try though - with the ac on the air is getting too dry again.
Two of the things I have noticed are:
1. Make sure to keep a good eye out for mold / wash the mats regularly
2. It might work better with wicks + mats, although that sounds a bit redundant. (Next repot I will try it.)

Now waiting for a bit better info than my 'dabbling' :-)

Karin

Hi
That is something I need to look into as well.
I might try doing a word search on this Forum. I need to also figure out how long the plants can go on a wick.

i use tall water bottles as reservoirs when i go away - cutting off the top and inserting the pot with very long acrylic yarn wick. it takes about 1" a week per mature plant (10-11" diameter) in good light and 70F temps. so one bottle lasts for 2 mo if needed.
but normally i let them go slightly drier once a mo or so.
i think for mat-watering you need a good contact with soil-mix - so having pots with totally holed bottoms is a must. and it's best if surface underneath is flat solid, not egg-crate grid.
i made a mat with acrylic felt - stumbled upon green for xmas . just soap wash it to remove sizing from fabric.
i put it in shoe box elevated over a clear plastic lid from grocery.
but i was not wicking violets, but aloes in clay pots. clay pots wick moisture well even though they have just one hole. but there is a considerable salt build-up on pot sides from evaporation.
one thing i don't like about mats - is that there is too much damp surface exposed - so you loose a lot of water to evaporation.