wool fabric quilt question

[abbie]

Hi everyone,

I am very keen to make a quilt using old wool blankets and or clothing. Has anyone on here done anything like that? as I have a few questions. 1. do you still do the same seam allowance and will it sit nice? 2. what sort of fabric do you buy or look for ( I am in Australia ) 3. Do you still iron the pieces and lay the seams one way or open them .

I just have a vision of doing something in a different texture for some rural rustic look. Any other ideas would be wonderful.

thanks everyone happy quilting.

[quiltingaway]

Re: wool fabric quilt question

First of all I've never worked with wool (other than wool applique) but I imagine the seams would be bulky. An alternative might be some flannel for the more rustic look you desire. Moda has a line of flannel, Woolies. It is beautiful and really nice to work with. Whether you go with wool or flannel simple, large blocks would be best.

[Hulamoon]

Re: wool fabric quilt question

I think I would use a serger to keep the bulk down. I found a conversation about this that gives lots of ideas.

http://sewing.patternreview.com/Sewi...ns/topic/74757

[Angelia]

Re: wool fabric quilt question

I posted about mine here: http://theeclecticabuela.blogspot.co...09/waggas.html

I did use a half-inch seam allowance since the weave of the fabric was looser than cotton. I pressed the seams open and stitched them down to prevent raveling.

[Preeti]

Re: wool fabric quilt question

I know Sylvia was working on wool/flannel blocks. May be she will see this thread and respond or you could send her a PM.

[grammaterry]

Re: wool fabric quilt question

I have been saving wool clothing for years with the aim being to make a quilt from them. I have two dozen wool blazers and a bunch of wool trousers that I wore in Real Estate and will never wear again. So I put them in a trunk and when I run out of cotton, that's my plan. I remember my grandmother had wool quilts that she made, but I have no idea about seam allowances. Just hadn't thought of it.

[Deegles]

Re: wool fabric quilt question

The great thing about wool, the edges do not unravel like woven fabrics. The answer to your question is a tricky one. If you are doing a simple pattern of squares you should be ok with 1/4 inch seam allowance. If you start getting more complex with angles and triangles you may want to rethink the 1/4 inch and make it larger for the bulk. Most of your questions, you will have to play with the pressing depending on the pattern to see what works out best. Moda makes/sells wool. It is around $24 per yard. Usually if you go to a thrift store you can find garments that are 100 percent wool and cut your pieces from those (cheapskate here). If you are making one from cashmere sweaters, I recommend using a fusible interfacing to back it before cutting to keep the knitted yarns together.