I think I'll make myself a lap quilt with the wool batt so I can hand quilt it again. It was like quilting in warm butter! I'll just have to wash in cold and DON"T put it in the dryer.
Thanks for all the compliments, and I couldn't have done it witout my mother's help to unquilt it.

well, this piece is already shrunk down. do it one more time and you're probably home free. washed and dryer-dried wood wool is he softest thing ever.

i had some scratchy army blankets and i washed them in hot water. i had nothing to lose, they were that bad. then i used fabric softener and into the dryer they went. did this 2x and went to town. wow! if they could fluff up then anything can. and they never shrunk? shrank? again.

so give it another go-round.

Your quilt is beautiful. I so admire your persistence. If that happened to me, my dogs would have a new quilt! I love the way the wool batting makes the quilt drape and feel. I learned from experience that the more densely the quilting, the less the shrinkage. I washed mine and put it in the dryer on permanent press for just a few minutes and then on air dry. There was just a little puckering - just looked like an old quilt.

I am glad this thread has come up again---it is still a gorgeous quilt!

And we can all learn a lesson from your wool batting story.

Beautiful quilt!
The wool felted with the agitation of the washing and drying.
I'm glad you were able to get it fixed, even if it took a long time to do.

Good grief, the very idea of picking out the quilting makes me think of rolling on the floor, shrieking, kicking and waving my arms. Not pretty.

Your name should be in the dictionary right next to patience.

That quilt is beautiful enough to warrant the work.

b.zang, that was quite a picture! I guess I'll never ask you to do that job for me!

When I saw what happened to your finished quilt I wilted in despair for you and all your beautiful work....but, never say never to a quilter. Look what you and your mom did. Hooray for your persistence - the outcome was worth every undone and redone stitch. It's gorgeous! Congratulations!

YIKES!!!! What now????

WOW :shock: I missed this the first time around!!
Kathy, it is so awesome that you chose to pick out the quilting and that your Mom helped you :D:D:D
I am so happy that this story had such a wonderful ending!!!
I bet your FIL still gets teary eyed from looking at this beauty :D:D:D