Has anyone tried wool batting? I have only used cotton and polyester, i don't really like polyester because of the bearding. I have some wool batting that has been sitting around just waiting to be used for a queen and a twin size bed. just not sure that I will like it. What does anyone think of it?

I once got a very expensive one that I purchased from a sheep place and it was way too loose. My quilt turned out very nice, but the thickness was uneven. I have recently purchased a cheaper one I used for trapunto, and when I wet it to dissolve the water soluble thread, it smelled like a wet animal. The smell went away when dry (like an animal). I do live the look of a quilt with wool.

Does the wool batting have a brand name? Wool battings seem to vary enormously from one brand to another. The only one I would use is Hobbs.

I used Dream Wool.

I love wool battings for quilts intended to be extra warm. Hobbs is a good wool batting.
Check them out at the local quilt shop many carry wool battings as they are gaining in popularity. My JoAnns carries a wool batting one type on a roll , nice so you can see the consitantsy ( thickness) of the batting.
Wool needles really nicely if you are hand quilting.

I stock up on wool and silk batting from Hobbs at Paducah quilt show each year. I'm sure they are at all big shows. Don't pass up their booth. The big 18" perfect cut squares are cheap! And the big packages of batting are much cheaper at the shows. They don't want to pack it all back up again.

I've used Dream Wool in one quilt. It handquilts like buttah! The quilt is very light and we even use it in the summer. In the winter we layer quilts for warmth.

I've heard wool is really warm. I want to try it in a quilt for my room.

Love it to hand quilt on. Looks good too.

There is also the Tuscany brand available and it's wonderful to quilt and the thickness is very even. What I also like that they fold the batting, it's not rolled, so you don't have crinkles in it.

it is wonderful just remember NOT to put it in the dryer! I did! it was a disaster.

My own experience is that wool batting is no warmer than regular batting. I think if you want "warm" you need to go with something "heavy" like cotton.

Wool is actually the best for all-season use because it "breathes" whereas poly does not.

The Dream Wool is not lumpy...it is very uniform. However, it does shed small bits from the edges of the batting until you get it bound. My quilting room looked like I lived with 4 long-haired dogs until I got that sucker bound! LOL I had to clean my floor VERY frequently to keep the sheds cleaned up!

Our wool quilt is the one we currently have on our bed (along with a topsheet) even though we are currently having a heatwave here. And it is because the wool does NOT feel too "warm". It feels very light.

i have used Hobbs and dream wool, love working with the wool and it is just fabulous in the finished quilts...if i could afford it i would always use it, but since it is on the spendy side and never seems to be on sale anywhere i only use it in 'special' quilts...for adults...the kids quilts and smaller projects i still use either warm n natural or dream poly...and i have never had one smell like a wet animal before...maybe you could wet a corner and if it does then throw a little baking soda in the wash to absorb the smell

BTW...when I use the wool batting, I make sure to put washing & drying instructions on the label so that whomever inherits the quilt when I die will know NOT to put it in the dryer!

I have dried quilts with Hobbs wool batting in the dryer. I never noticed a difference. ?

I just ordered a wool sampler box with Quilters Dream
(every size batt in one box)
can't wait to try this!
actually the price isn't that bad
Everyone has been asking for this so I think I will stock it.

Quilters Dream wool is my personal favorite batting, and used in all my own quilts. It is lovely batting! You can toss in the washer and dryer, and it turns out beautifully.

the name brand is "quilters dream wool".

it is a brand
www.quiltersdreambatting.com

thanks, i would have put it into the dryer!

I think most of the manufacturers say to dry with a cool dryer. cotton,poly or wool

good idea, i need to do that on all my quilts.

I think Hobbs wool is the only wool batting that guarantees against shrinkage (of more than 2% or so), even in the dryer.

Direct from QD's website:

Blend of Scoured and Super Washed Domestic & Fine Merino Wool.
Blended, Carded, Crosslapped & Thermally Bonded.
Versatile loft of approximately 1/3" that beautifully accentuates your quilting.
Exceptionally light and drapeable.
Light, luxurious and naturally warm.
Cream colored.

Hand & Machine Quilting. Can be Tied.
Confidently stitch up to 8" apart
No prewashing necessary. Machine washable/dryable with no shrinkage. Remember, your prewashing and selection of fabrics and thread will also effect shrinkage.

I saw that on the website, too. HOWEVER, when I received the batting the disclaimer on the actual packaging says "cool dryer".

I have to tell you that even the "cool" setting on my dryer is not very cool. I'm sure it would shrink it...and that's just not a risk I"m willing to take. And I'm sure that if I told my daughter (who has already laid claim to the quilt when I die...LOL) that she could "dry" it...she would not be careful to make sure it was on "cool". Therefore, the instructions on my quilt label say to "wash cool, dry flat or line dry".

My quilts are hand quilted with many, many hours put into them. there is NO WAY I'm gonna risk the wool batted ones by putting them in the dryer.

Just my 2 cents worth...

Here's a link to the Hobbs batting website. Their "report" lists no shrinkage for the wool. They say it's the only bonded resin wool batting on the market. I thought I have seen elsewhere that the no shrinkage is guaranteed, but perhaps I am wrong on that. I don't have a package here or I'd look to see if it says "cool dryer" on the package.

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles...-batting.shtml

I bought a king size Hobbs wool batting for the quilt I am making for our bed. Not done yet. It feels wonderful, and I have heard great things about wool. I am looking forward to the quilting to see if it feels any different.

I scanned this just now from a batting package that I have. Hope this helps. It clearly states cool wash and cool dry.

Sorry...I now see that you were speaking of Hobbs and I was speaking of Quilter's Dream. I've never worked with Hobbs so don't know about that wool batt.

I also like the fact that the "quilters dream" is made here in the U.S. I try to support our own when i can.

The Company is also so nice and helpful.
everyone I have ever talked to at their company has been very good at being patient and answering all my questions
Costumer service can make a sale with me!