Wool backing is that possible?
Hello everyone! My boyfriend asked me if I could make him a quilt but use wool as the backing. I was thinking flannel for the top and just attach to wool and bind not batting. Thoughts? Suggestions? I'm not good at coming up with ideas so please help
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Wool backing might be scratchy and can also shrink if not laundered properly. Some people like to use fleece for backing with no batt.
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I used wool batting in one of my quilts and it is lovely..
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I bought in the 70s a wool quilt with squares tied at a farm auction in Kansas. I kept it in the car when I was living temporarily back east to keep warm when turnpikes were closed down due to snow. It was scratchy but kept me warm. I would either use fleece or wool batting which is much more practical. This quilt weight was very heavy but it did keep me warm during some nasty snow storms.
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I tried to tell him that but he said no he wants it has the backing. I guess his dad finds them at thrift stores and what not.
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Are you sure he didn't mean batting and not backing? There are many very nice washable wool battings on the market. I would be hesitant to use a wool backing for the reasons Tartan stated. Also it would be extremely cost prohibitive. Average price of wool fabric is in excess of $20 per yard (although it can be found cheaper on the net)
I can also confirm the scratchy. I used an old wool army blanket for batting on a quilt and even with 100% cotton fabric covering it, the scratchy still comes through. I can only use this quilt when it is layered on top of other quilts and blankets or have it hanging on a wall. Wool batting is not scratchy like a wool blanket or like regular woven wool fabric can be and it won't shrink or felt with washing. |
So his Dad wants you to use up thrifted wool blankets? I would use two wool blankets the same size and put them together. Machine quilt them together in a large grid pattern or use yarn ties to put then together. Unless the edges are frayed, I would not even put binding on but just machine stitch the edges together. It will make a sturdy, warm utility car quilt and if washed, the whole thing will shrink at the same rate. Make one and see how it goes but I wouldn't waste a lovely cotton quilt top on this trial run.
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I did a wool-blend quilt with a pieced wool-blend top, wool batting, and wool-blend backing. It's very warm! I also did a second, substituting flannel for the backing. Both were tied. The flannel one is not itchy--the other is a bit, but only on bare skin, not through clothing or sleepwear.
The wool-blend was on sale (3.00 per yard), which is why I went with it. I washed it twice before cutting in very hot water and dried it very hot to check if it would go all wonky, but it didn't. I think I'd do the same with thrifted wool blankets. I think your flannel/wool idea is a good one. If he finds it itchy, he could always turn it over! :) |
Maybe you need to look at exactly what dad is finding at the thrift stores, so you have a better idea of what he wants.
Wool comes in different forms. I live near a Pendleton factory and I buy mill ends and seconds there all the time. They make lovely suit-weight wool that would be wonderful for a back - lightweight, warm, and not scratchy at all. I wouldn't hesitate to use it for a backing. |
I've picked up coats and suits made out of wool from the different thrift stores and use those for backing. Most I've paid was $15 for a big&tall men's suit. I brought it home and washed in warm water and tossed in warm dryer. Turned out great. Then deboned it. I wanted to save the lining from the jacket.
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