Pre-cut wool strips from the 40s
 

When cleaning out my mom and dad's house, I found an old GIANT can, about 3 feet high and 20 inches wide, full of wool strips and instructions my mother had typed up for making braided wool rugs. I think she was presenting a lesson to the homemakers society or something. I've kept these HUGE wheels of wool strips thinking I would braid a rug...I'm never going to braid, or crochet, a rug. A couple of days ago I had an idea...I can piece them and turn them into a quilt, right? Why not? So, log cabin, rail fence, strips? Any thoughts? I didn't look at all of them, but I think they are all dark colors, saved from suits, clothing, etc. The strips are all about 2 inches wide, light weight wool.

I am sure that you could use them in a quilt - but it would have to be dry cleaned. My MIL showed me how to use burlap as a base and use old wool clothing cut into strips and pull them through the burlap (using a frame) and she made some magnificant rugs. They wear really well, too.

Wool quilts can be washed, just use cold water. You may want to make sure they're 100% wool and not a blend before you decide about making a quilt from them. Use the burn test.

If you make a quilt my thoughts are: you would not want to use a batting, not sure what kind of backing you would use, maybe flannel. You could not dry in a dryer. It would have to be tied.
I think I would sell them or give them away. Just my thoughts.

Or, I just make a rug as it was intended for. We'll see...

We had wool quilts on our beds when I was a child. They were wonderful. The way the economy is going, we may all need to start using them again. They were backed by flannel and tied. Mom washed them when they needed it. They were made from men's old suits, probably grandpa's. If you decided to sell the wool pieces please PM me.

I'll keep that in mind, Tanya. Maybe I'll stitch up a little practice sample to see how it goes. See what happens if I wash it, how it sews, etc.

Could you make one of those 1 hour race quilt since the strips are already cut?

Grandma Peg, that was my thinking. Sew together and wash in cold water. If it shrinks, it can still be used as a quilt for your favorite dog ... many love the texture of the wool. You could also felt it (washing in hot water and machine dry) and use as primitive applique on a string quilt or 9 patch quilt.

i have made 4 (so far-always another one in the works) wool quilts---and i guess reading all of your (you can't's) i do everything wrong! but i have to tell you---
my wool quilts are BEAUTIFUL, worth (appraised) alot, and get tossed into the washer AND THE DRYER when they need it. i use wool batting (which has little to no shrinkage & is a dream to work with) and either wool or really nice thick double sided flannel for backings. the quilts are fabulous- people love them- i sold one for $3500!
they hold up very well- stay beautiful- i do not (baby) my wools- when recycling wool clothing i (de-construct) then wash in the washer in HOT water with detergent, rinse twice- then dry in a regular dryer-till just barely damp- then i press/iron the pieces & use them- sometimes for hand applique, sometimes for pieced blocks, i strip the left overs for hooked wool rugs- when the quilt or rug is finished it is still washable/dryable- quite usable- and i know people who are waiting in line to get one some day. wool is wonderful to work with! my favorite fiber.