Quilts from wool -- REALLY??
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,232
Can you really make quilts from wool fabric? This might help ease my guilty conscience! Years ago (like 25-30 years) I bought really nice wool to make suits for myself. Well, the suits never got made, I don't need them anymore, and the fabric sits in my cedar chest.
I did a search on this site on "wool", and it looks like I should wash and dry the wool, and then just quilt away. Is that correct? Use whatever batting and whatever backing?
I didn't find any pictures of wool quilts in my search. Can someone post one? I have at least 5 fabrics, which don't really coordinate (one brown, one green, one blue, etc), and I can't see a finished quilt in my mind's eye.
What are the attributes of a quilt made with wool. I'm thinking it would be a lap-size, used for warmth while watching TV, vs. a quilt used on a bed.
Thanks!
I did a search on this site on "wool", and it looks like I should wash and dry the wool, and then just quilt away. Is that correct? Use whatever batting and whatever backing?
I didn't find any pictures of wool quilts in my search. Can someone post one? I have at least 5 fabrics, which don't really coordinate (one brown, one green, one blue, etc), and I can't see a finished quilt in my mind's eye.
What are the attributes of a quilt made with wool. I'm thinking it would be a lap-size, used for warmth while watching TV, vs. a quilt used on a bed.
Thanks!
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW
Posts: 7,940
I don't know about wool quilts. I have seen pictures, but haven't made one and don't know anyone who makes them. I bet they would be warm, though. You'd have to use wool batting, too, probably.
Hope someone can answer your question. Good luck!!
Hope someone can answer your question. Good luck!!
#3
Since wool has a tendency to be heavy quilts out of it are usually made in the same manner as a denim quilt---in other words, very simple blocks such as squares or rectangles sewn together. They can be quilted but are usually tied. Since wool is very warm you won't need much batting so if you use any at all, it should be very thin. Wool is usually more loosely woven than cotton so you might want to take a bit larger seam--up to 1/2" and make sure that your stitch is just a little smaller than usual. A lot of times she used an old sheet blanket or flannel sheet for the batting.
At least that's what Mom always did. She made them bed size though. Old drafty farm house in central Illinois almost required them to survive. LOL
At least that's what Mom always did. She made them bed size though. Old drafty farm house in central Illinois almost required them to survive. LOL
#7
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,355
I saw a quilt made of wool like men's suiting interspersed with home decorating fabrics such as silk, suede and velvet. There were decorative stitched through the blocks. It was backed with berber fleece. It was gorgeous. Someone gave me a whole lot of approx. 6" square wool samples of men's clothing and I got some decorator fabric and now trying to come up with a design. I don't want to cut the squares any smaller. It is all laid out on the dining room table right now. Any suggestions are appreciated.
#8
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sturbridge, Ma
Posts: 3,992
there is an older boom (1970's) believe the title is The Wool Quilt. Is available on Amazon or Ebay. Gives all kinds of info about using wool.
Many many many years ago my aunts made wool lap robes as the cars were unheaqted. They were just squares.
This has been discussed here before and most agree that very thin batting should be used if wool is alwo on the back. However, I would tend to use another fabric that simulates wool but is thinner. And yes, they make wonderful warm quilts. Just have to respect the nature of the fabric such as fraying etc and perhaps make larger seams.
Many many many years ago my aunts made wool lap robes as the cars were unheaqted. They were just squares.
This has been discussed here before and most agree that very thin batting should be used if wool is alwo on the back. However, I would tend to use another fabric that simulates wool but is thinner. And yes, they make wonderful warm quilts. Just have to respect the nature of the fabric such as fraying etc and perhaps make larger seams.
#9
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,376
My grandmother made wool quilts for men's suiting fabric samples that she was given, and they stayed on our beds for years. I still have one. I don't use it, but it is packed safely away. The wool is in good shape, but the flannel backing needs to be replaced. It's a technique I'd like to try.
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