Ok folks - so the DS showed up yesterday with a belated birthday present (poor boy - had been in Hawaii for almost 4 weeks on business :mrgreen: ).

He had been to a local quilt shop down in RI and bought me a kit. It is wool applique - really neat!!

http://www.primitivegatherings.us/sh...productId=1297

It has some pretty small pieces - which I am concerned about fraying after cutting. It suggests using steam a seam 2 and then fray check after cutting it out!!

I was thinking about using the very light stabilizer that we use in knits before the steam a seam and instead of the fray check? My thoughts on fray check are that projects that I have used it on are "crusty" and or hard.

Anyone else done anything like this? OR any thoughts from those of you who have used wool?

What a beautiful quilt kit!! And so sweet of your DS!!!!

I really don't have any kind of answer for you about the fraying -- I can look at wool and start itching and breaking out....

Me too on the itching - BUT I will not be wearing this!! :-) :-)

Fray Block is similar to Fray Check but dries soft. JoAnn's has it.

Fusible tricot would give more body to the wool, but I'm not sure it would prevent fraying.

Thanks for the info on Fray Block - I have never used it - I will check it out!

I figured that it would add some stability and at least hold the fabric somewhat tog while I am working on it. I would love to find someone that has worked with this type of fabric.

I kind of wish it were - BUT it would be 100% wool fabric. Very nice quality - I would be tempted to say Pendleton wool maybe.

Primitive Gatherings uses only wool; and I am currently working on one of their block of the month. I am using Fray Check and it is doing the job for me; but I try to put very little. Just run the tip of the bottle lightly around the edge of the piece. My friend is using the Steam A Seam 2 and is very happy with her results also. You can tell which pieces of wool may fray because the fibers aren't as tightly woven.
Good luck with your kit...that is a lovely gift from a thoughtful son.
Lucky You!!

That is beautiful. I almost never applique so I am no help at all.

Thank you mamaw - The directions (as I read them) actually suggested that you use both. You are correct - some of the wool is tighter woven than some others. Are you hand appliqueing? or are you machine appliqueing? That was the next thing I needed to decide.

The son is thoughtful. I have never worked with wool in this manner so I am looking forward to trying it. Just need to get it complete before Thanksgiving!!