Wool for quilts
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 119
Wool for quilts
I bought a fill your bag from this bin for $1.00 so took all the denim & 4 wool skirts. I have wool yardage in my stash. I would like to make a quilt just using bricks from this wool. Went online to see how to and am still unsure of how to treat the wool. Do I wash/boil it or what? And after it is made and does need cleaning can I put in the washer?
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Carmanmarie
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Carmanmarie
#3
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Some wools shrink like crazy (think man-size sweater shrunk down to toddler size); other wool fabrics are pre-treated and don't shrink.
What I would do in your situation is wash each wool in the washing machine with soap and dry on high in the dryer. That way if you have one that crazy-shrinks, you can use it for some other project. The wools that survive the washer/dryer treatment should work fine for a quilt, and the quilt would be able to be washed normally later.
Edit: Should mention that it's a good idea to use laundry soap when you wash the wools -- not just hot water. This is because wool fibers have little hooks on them. When the fibers are agitated in water and soap, the soap provides a slipperiness that encourages the hooks to interlock. This helps achieve max shrinkage in the wool.
What I would do in your situation is wash each wool in the washing machine with soap and dry on high in the dryer. That way if you have one that crazy-shrinks, you can use it for some other project. The wools that survive the washer/dryer treatment should work fine for a quilt, and the quilt would be able to be washed normally later.
Edit: Should mention that it's a good idea to use laundry soap when you wash the wools -- not just hot water. This is because wool fibers have little hooks on them. When the fibers are agitated in water and soap, the soap provides a slipperiness that encourages the hooks to interlock. This helps achieve max shrinkage in the wool.
Last edited by Prism99; 09-24-2014 at 11:26 AM.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Tulsa, Ok
Posts: 4,582
I agree, just prewash in hot water. I have done this and had some shrinkage in all wools, some more than others. However after the initial wash/dry have not had any issues with piecing wool into a quilt. But I have only done it twice, so don't have a huge experience to speak from. Hopefully you will get some more feedback too. I have also read that others have used old wool clothing as batting and it makes a really warm quilt.
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: howell, Mi
Posts: 2,345
Could you use wool in a quilt with cotton backing? I've seen some quilt appliqués that are very pretty, but I'm wondering if the backing would work. I know how to felt the wool and that's what I'm referring to. Thanks in advance for any advise you have.
Sue
Sue
#7
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
I use a Lot of wool fabrics in my quilting, my favorite fiber to work with. First thing is Wash your wool, warm to hot water, some detergent, a regular cycle. Then toss into the dryer, again regular cycle settings. I generally take my wools out of the dryer before they are overly dry ( helps with wrinkles) then I just press them dry, but sometimes I don't catch them and they are fine. Then your wools are ready to use. Your finished quilt projects are washable, check out my (Backyard Gatherings) quilt... It has been washed, dried 3 or 4 times in the picture
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
Visit Sue Spargo s website! She makes lots of quilts using regular cottons and wools. I like combining wools with flannels and homespun fabrics. My Backyard Gathering quilt is wool applique on black double sided Benartex flannel, with a black cotton batting and flannel backing
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 119
Your quilt is beautiful! I'm washing the wool now. One piece was 6 yards I haven't a clue why I bought so much. 10 yards washed and almost ready for the dryer.
Thank you all for this information.
Thank you all for this information.
I use a Lot of wool fabrics in my quilting, my favorite fiber to work with. First thing is Wash your wool, warm to hot water, some detergent, a regular cycle. Then toss into the dryer, again regular cycle settings. I generally take my wools out of the dryer before they are overly dry ( helps with wrinkles) then I just press them dry, but sometimes I don't catch them and they are fine. Then your wools are ready to use. Your finished quilt projects are washable, check out my (Backyard Gatherings) quilt... It has been washed, dried 3 or 4 times in the picture
#10
Just a side note...when you dry the wool make sure and check your lint trap (in 10-15 min) before the timer goes off as wool puts alot of fluff in the trap and I've heard it is a fire hazard if it over heats the dryer.
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