Making a quilt from thrift store wool suits.
02-13-2014, 07:25 AM
#41
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Alturas, CA
Posts: 9,393
If the wool is felted, it's not going to ravel, so you won't have to interface it. I also have a supply of wool clothing that I really need to get felted and something/s made out them, since they're taking up 7 65 quart totes and I could definitely use the space they're taking up. LOL Please show us what you made when you're finished.
02-13-2014, 07:52 AM
#42
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
I've been collecting wool for a few years now and I'm taking the plunge. I'm going to start assembling/cutting wool for a 100% wool quilt (full size bed). I've hit a few good sales at thrift stores and have managed to get a group of wool suits ready to disassemble. I've also learned you get better sections of useable wool from a pair of slacks then a jacket. I wish I had known that before I got so many jackets, but I'll need more for sure. I'll only purchase wool slacks from now on.
So... I'm asking for TIPS/TRICKS/IDEAS from those of you who've worked with wool before. I've not done any wool projects of any kind. I have been warned to "KISS" it (Keep It Simple Sweetie). No elaborate blocks or the wool bulk overwhelms the seam intersections. I've Google "wool quilts" and most of them are primitive and/or quaint looking - I'm okay with that. I've been told by a local gal who loves to do felted wool projects to wash and dry the wool prior to cutting or it will be a quilt that has to be dry cleaned. So I'm going to wash it and back it with a veeeeeery light interfacing. She told me wool tends to ravel easily so this feather light interfacing is supposed to keep the edges from misbehaving, but... I still want to really pick people's brains who've made 100% wool quilts.
I'm at a complete loss of what to use for the backing and binding. I'm not sure this is a great idea, but I've also saved the leather braided cuff buttons to use as decorations around the edges of the quilt.
I hope some of you can toss me a few great ideas and tips to ease me into this project.
Thanks in advance!
♥
So... I'm asking for TIPS/TRICKS/IDEAS from those of you who've worked with wool before. I've not done any wool projects of any kind. I have been warned to "KISS" it (Keep It Simple Sweetie). No elaborate blocks or the wool bulk overwhelms the seam intersections. I've Google "wool quilts" and most of them are primitive and/or quaint looking - I'm okay with that. I've been told by a local gal who loves to do felted wool projects to wash and dry the wool prior to cutting or it will be a quilt that has to be dry cleaned. So I'm going to wash it and back it with a veeeeeery light interfacing. She told me wool tends to ravel easily so this feather light interfacing is supposed to keep the edges from misbehaving, but... I still want to really pick people's brains who've made 100% wool quilts.
I'm at a complete loss of what to use for the backing and binding. I'm not sure this is a great idea, but I've also saved the leather braided cuff buttons to use as decorations around the edges of the quilt.
I hope some of you can toss me a few great ideas and tips to ease me into this project.
Thanks in advance!
♥
02-13-2014, 08:09 AM
#43
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Mechanicsville, IA
Posts: 1,497
Quilter's Dream Select is a very light cotton batting in keeping with your natural wool. It would not add much weight but does not pull apart when handled. Their Request thickness is mainly for hand quilting. Also consider a very short stitch length and pressing seams open with steam. I have started pressing most of my seams open. With the very short stitch length I have had no problems. I know some feel this is sacrilege but it works for me. You may need to lighten your the Presser foot pressure on your machine. Also consider stitching with a walking foot. I have differential feed on my Bernina 880 and use it all the time. I also love piecing with a featherweight and plan to try a walking foot with it on cotton at a retreat the end of the month as I am piecing with 16" squares. 
02-17-2014, 09:09 AM
#44
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 152
i pretty much always have wool projects going ---i love working with wool!
when you disassemble your clothing and wash it---wash it in hot water- with detergent- a regular cycle===rinse in cold water =then dry in a hot dryer---it will not ravel when you work with it- and you will not need an interfacing----i've made very large wool quilts and have never (lined) a single piece of wool- and have never had one ravel or fray.
i do not understand how you can get more usable wool from a pair of pants then from a jacket- since with a jacket you get a very very large piece from the back---and the sleeves are generally wider than pant legs===i use both but have always thought the jackets were by far the better deal...i will have to (study this) a bit...i'm attaching a picture of one of my wool quilts---also starting a new thread with some of my (in the works) wool blocks for everyone to see
once i started working with wool i was HOOKED! it is my favorite fabric!
when you disassemble your clothing and wash it---wash it in hot water- with detergent- a regular cycle===rinse in cold water =then dry in a hot dryer---it will not ravel when you work with it- and you will not need an interfacing----i've made very large wool quilts and have never (lined) a single piece of wool- and have never had one ravel or fray.
i do not understand how you can get more usable wool from a pair of pants then from a jacket- since with a jacket you get a very very large piece from the back---and the sleeves are generally wider than pant legs===i use both but have always thought the jackets were by far the better deal...i will have to (study this) a bit...i'm attaching a picture of one of my wool quilts---also starting a new thread with some of my (in the works) wool blocks for everyone to see
once i started working with wool i was HOOKED! it is my favorite fabric!
02-17-2014, 09:40 AM
#45
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Corpus Christi, Tx.
Posts: 16,105
Love this quilt. I too live near the gulf and really have no use for a wool quilt other than a wall hanging, but my kids live in the Midwest (Michigan and Indiana) so they are getting the brunt of this weather and that is my interest in the wool quilts.
i pretty much always have wool projects going ---i love working with wool!
when you disassemble your clothing and wash it---wash it in hot water- with detergent- a regular cycle===rinse in cold water =then dry in a hot dryer---it will not ravel when you work with it- and you will not need an interfacing----i've made very large wool quilts and have never (lined) a single piece of wool- and have never had one ravel or fray.
i do not understand how you can get more usable wool from a pair of pants then from a jacket- since with a jacket you get a very very large piece from the back---and the sleeves are generally wider than pant legs===i use both but have always thought the jackets were by far the better deal...i will have to (study this) a bit...i'm attaching a picture of one of my wool quilts---also starting a new thread with some of my (in the works) wool blocks for everyone to see
once i started working with wool i was HOOKED! it is my favorite fabric!
when you disassemble your clothing and wash it---wash it in hot water- with detergent- a regular cycle===rinse in cold water =then dry in a hot dryer---it will not ravel when you work with it- and you will not need an interfacing----i've made very large wool quilts and have never (lined) a single piece of wool- and have never had one ravel or fray.
i do not understand how you can get more usable wool from a pair of pants then from a jacket- since with a jacket you get a very very large piece from the back---and the sleeves are generally wider than pant legs===i use both but have always thought the jackets were by far the better deal...i will have to (study this) a bit...i'm attaching a picture of one of my wool quilts---also starting a new thread with some of my (in the works) wool blocks for everyone to see
once i started working with wool i was HOOKED! it is my favorite fabric!
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