QM Tips

Tips & Techniques

 Felting or Fulling Woven Wool

Making a Quilt

Since thrift pieces of wool are not large, plan for projects that use medium and small pieces.

Keep in mind that wool stretches. Use a walking foot while machine piecing to minimize this tendency. Stretching has its advantages, however, for easing in pieces that are a little too big or too small.

Use 1/4" seams and press seam allowances open with heavy steam. The wool gets compressed and sometimes changes color, but fluff returns and so does original color. Be sure to press (up and down motion), not iron (back and forth motion) to avoid more stretching.

Felted wool patches for applique do not need a turn-under allowance. They are sewn down with a blanket stitch along the raw edges, and since felted wool does not ravel, there's no need to worry.

A thin, light-weight batt gives a wool quilt or wallhanging some substance without adding too much weight, and a flannel backing feels so nice once you are snuggled up in the quilt.

Rather than traditional hand quilting, you may decide to tie wool quilts as follows. Using #5-weight pearl cotton thread and a size 24 chenille needle, tie square knots approximately 4" apart, but that can vary depending upon the quilt's design. One drop of Fray-Check™ on each knot will help keep it securely tied.

Don't wash these wool quilts when they get dirty, even though all the wool in them has previously been washed and dried. They will never look the same! Dry clean them if they really need freshening up.

One of the best things about working with felted wool is the feel of the fabric. It's calming and peaceful as you sew, both by hand and machine.

Are you ready for a new quilting adventure? Visit thrift stores and garage sales, collect a variety of wools, and enjoy felted-wool quilting.