I have done a search for this question, but the couple of answers that I saw were really not helping in my situations. My step daughter asked me to make a quilt out of her baby's clothes that she has outgrown. I agreed, but told her that I couldn't use sweaters or fabrics that just would be too difficult to work with. So she brings a garbage bag over with clothes, a whoe lot of sweaters and even a felt Christmas stocking she wants incorporated. I have looked at this and looked at this, and I am stuped. Have made tee shirt quilts with no problem, but sweaters? She also insists that all of these items are in quilt! Help!! Please!!

If the sweaters are wool you can wash them in hot water. The technique is called felting.

make it a quilted wall hanging so it doesn't need to be washed later.
i would not worry about the sweaters, treat them like t=shirts...if a baby was wearing them they are washable...the only item you listed that i would be worried about is that felt stocking...it will not hold up to laundering. if you can leave the stocking out i do not think you will have anything to worry about. the one my daughter brought me a garbage bag of clothes for had sweaters and a couple sweat suits...somefleece items...all of it worked fine---i did it t=shirt quilt style...
no craft felt though...craft felt is not washable.

I would stabilize the living daylights out of it. Maybe some kind of iron on, then stitch the square or whatever shape you want and then cut it out. That way the edge would be held together before it starts unraveling. Maybe fray check would be a good idea too.


But really..... maybe this wouldbe a good project for her to learn quilting and it'd mean so much more if she did it herself ;) (I'd be passing on this project)

You might attach the felt stocking with pins, etc so it can be removed before washing. Just a thought. Happy Quilting

Can you make one square a christmas fabric and button on the stocking? This way the stocking can be removed for washing.

My first quilt was made from a random assortment of clothes, including sweaters. And while I did do it. I'll never do it again. The quilt actually has hot spots where the sweater blocks are.

she has no desire to learn, and I am not thrilled about it, I will take your advice anout lots of stablizer. Thanks

i have never done that