sewbizgirl

I used wool for one special quilt. It quilts like a dream and really makes the quilting "pop". Some fancy longarm quilters will use a layer of wool on top of their other batting, to really show off the quilting. It's lightweight too. I just love it. Haven't washed my quilt yet, but the wool battings are supposed to be machine washable.

Be sure to show us that quilt!

mjpEncinitas

I’ve used wool batting in a whole cloth quilt I did. It really makes the quilting pop, easy to quilt . Not a quilt I washed though.

terriamn

I just finished quilting a Thanksgiving tablerunner and used rulers for the first time, clamshell and straight ruler. Won’t wind any awards but I love it and excited for it being a first. Definitely not up for an entire quilt

givio

Janice McC, My foray into the wool batting situation was a disaster. Knowing that wool would be warmer than cotton, I bought a full roll of wool batting, thinking how much I'd like it. It was Pellon brand. I had it shipped directly to the quilter, who I was paying to long arm quilt my quilts for me.

On the first quilt, I asked for a grid sized about 3/4" to 1" all over the quilt. The batting package suggested up to 4" apart for quilting lines, I think. When I got it back, it was lovely. It was light weight compared to my cotton batting quilts. And it was noticeably warmer. Just getting under it, I could feel the air around me was degrees warmer than the air above the quilt. Loved it! The quilt had a white background, I needed to wash it, the package of the batting indicated it could be cold water washed, I threw it in the washer on a cold only cycle, then the dryer.

I guess my mistake was the dryer??? I'm not sure. It pilled. Little pills of batting all over the front and back.

We did another quilt. I asked for dense free motion quilting, and some that she did was 1/4" or less in some fill areas. The same thing happened. It pilled.

I was so discouraged. About $100 for the roll (on 50% off sale at JoAnns), and another $200 for the quilting costs of the two quilts, plus shipping back and forth. But... I asked her to throw away the rest of the batting, or do what she wants with it. There's no way I'm going to bring a quilt to a dry cleaner. I wash my quilts a lot. They have to hold up to home washing for me!

What do we need for wool success? Scrim? Must we only line dry? What did I do wrong?

sewbizgirl

I don't know, but I'd definitely contact the manufacturer and talk to them about the situation. Sounds terrible and so disappointing.

givio

I hadn't thought of that.

Janice McC

Givio, you're the second person in 24 hours I've heard from to mention the pilling. I hoped the first was a fluke but clearly it's not. I wanted to use wool for the warmth factor but I don't think I'll risk it. This quilt must be washable. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

givio

No problem. Glad to share my experience with the wool. I'm sure that wool can be used, just not sure what manufacturer, or how it needs to be manufactured, etc. Maybe one of the wool blends?

I used an old wool blanket that I washed many times over the years-- in hot water, cold water, hot dryer, whatever, etc. It became felted. I recently finished a quilt using the old blanket as the batting. I've washed and dried this quilt a few times and it's fine. No pilling at all, but I don't think it's possible for the wool to pill, as it was felted. Maybe if the wool batting is washed and dried before using it?? Would that solve the problem? There certainly would be the danger of it pulling apart or lumping during that process though.

Kassaundra

Been working on the crocheted wool winter outfit for my scaleless. It started out too big so I felted it, the main body is a very thick "thermal single stitch" then felted. I added filler pieces to the leg holes and the wing, and tail cover these are just single crochet. This is the most intricate design I've made yet, still don't know if it will fit right now. Haven't had a chance to try it on him yet. The wing sleeve covers will be secured down at the back edge, and the whole thing will be joined on the bottom (under side) edge, most likely w/ a yarn "shoe lace" type closure so it can be big to put on for ease and sinched smaller for wearing. For those of you who aren't as familiar about chicken anatomy (or don't routinely draw out clothing designs for chickens) I drew in where his head, wings, tail, and legs will be in some of the pics. Needless to say if this actually works I'm going to be pretty pleased w/ myself.

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And the guy who would rather stay naked, but had the misfortune to hatch in Oklahoma instead of Hawaii

Libster

Hope your creation fits, Kass. Poor baby already looks cold.