My friend make almost wool quilts exclusively; once in a while a cotton one but she used recycled wool from clothes from garage sales, 2nd hand shops, etc. She takes them aparts, washes, dries on the line outside. She prefers using larger, simple cut quilts like a "brick" style, turning twenty pattern, trip around the world, etc. She uses 1/2 inch seams and presses open seams. Backing is usually a flannel if she wants a really warm one, otherwise cotton backing. Batting--all depends on what warmth she is looking for. She has also made cotton tops with wool backs. As far as washing after goes, same way like before and dries outside on the line. They are beautiful. Oh, forgot, many are hand quilted with a larger folk like basic straight stitch using pearl cotton.