Quilting with wool fabric?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posts: 635
Quilting with wool fabric?
Has anyone any tips on quilting with wool fabric they would be happy to share with me? I've been asked to make a Scottish/Rabbie Burns themed quilt for someone in Australia who indicated she would like some tartan in it. I tried to source proper tartan in a cotton fabric but couldn't find any so had to make do with 8oz spring weight wool from one of the Scottish mills. The fabric was very expensive at £38 for a metre so I really don't want to mess this up. Haven't decided yet how I'm going to incorporate it into the quilt which will mainly be cotton.
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
The first thing I do when using wool in a quilt is wash & dry it, warm water, small amount of detergent, normal cycle. Into a regular dryer cycle. Then it is ready to use in a quilt. I love work with wools. There are many books, websites, even magazines that focus on using wool. Choose your pattern then if you have specific questions we may be able to help. You might decide working with wools will be your favorite too. :-)
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Cooperstown, NY
Posts: 220
There are several wool quilts on this board (including one of mine), if you search.
As far as the tartan goes, I would cut off a little corner and try washing it with hot water and soap, vigorously if hand washing, then dry in the clothes dryer if you can. Then you can see how it felts. I have found a great variation, some fabrics really don't felt at all, while others shrink up and get too think to use.
Also, I learned the hard way to put a few bay leaves and/or cloves in with the fabric. The moths ate a hole in one of my wool quilts before it was even finished.
As far as the tartan goes, I would cut off a little corner and try washing it with hot water and soap, vigorously if hand washing, then dry in the clothes dryer if you can. Then you can see how it felts. I have found a great variation, some fabrics really don't felt at all, while others shrink up and get too think to use.
Also, I learned the hard way to put a few bay leaves and/or cloves in with the fabric. The moths ate a hole in one of my wool quilts before it was even finished.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,813
You might try try http://lisabongean.com/ (She also had a website, but it won't come up)
and also the magazine http://www.primitivequiltsandproject...backissue.html and their pinterest page http://www.pinterest.com/pqprojects/...-and-projects/
Both use wool in their projects. If you use the tartan for applique you won't need to use as much.
Post pictures when done please!
and also the magazine http://www.primitivequiltsandproject...backissue.html and their pinterest page http://www.pinterest.com/pqprojects/...-and-projects/
Both use wool in their projects. If you use the tartan for applique you won't need to use as much.
Post pictures when done please!
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 696
I have a crazy quilt made with wool, including pieces of army and navy uniforms from World War II. After the patches were sewed together in the crazy quilt method, then embroidery stitches were hand done over all the seams. I think with the tartan, it would look good to have something like the kilt with the pin or the appropriate klan emblem embroidered on it, or the name of the klan. Good luck with it.
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