My love affair with wool ...

 

Most people who know me know that I love working with wool! This isn't a new thing in my life ... as a teenager I competed in the Make It Yourself With Wool contest regularly ... and I even raised sheep for 4-H ... even though we had no other animals at our home. My store is known as a source for hand dyed wool and unique kits. For five years, we had a club called the Muddy Sheep Wool Club! It was packed with quilters who loved wool, too. For my part in the Minnesota Quilt Designers blog hop, I thought I'd show you how easy ... and fun ... it is to work with wool.

 

Many people associate wool applique with traditional penny rugs. Circles ... often the size of coins ... are stacked and stitched and then sewn to a background or along an edge of a mat. Initially made to keep the floor warm in colonial homes, as Americans became more successful, they began to take on a more decorative look as they were embellished with flowers, leaves, and animals.

 

The supplies needed to begin wool applique are things that most quilters already have in their sewing kit ... a pair of small, sharp scissors, applique and fork pins, water based glue, needles ... especially #9 embroidery, #22 tapestry and straw (for stringing beads) ... and floss. Some people like to use perle cotton but I like floss because of the huge range of colors available and the texture of the thread. Freezer paper is needed too ... does anyone really use it to wrap food  anymore?

 

I like the feeling of hand dyed wool for my projects. I'm really lucky to have a great group of dyers in my area ... all of the wool I use is from women owned businesses in the Midwest.

Our wool is felted in the dying process but if you come across a beautiful piece  and want to use it in a project, it's really easy to felt on your own. Toss it in the washer with the hottest water you have ... add a tablespoon of detergent and a little softener if you wish ... let it agitate and spin out ... then throw it in a hot dryer. It's that simple! I stand by the dryer for a little bit and check the lint trap. Safety precaution.

 

Make freezer paper templates to cut your shapes. Trace the design on to the paper side of freezer paper then press the waxy side to the wool. Cut out the shape on the line and remove the paper. The templates can be reused several times.

 

  

Applique pins and fork pins (Clover) are great ways to hold the shapes in place because they don't catch on your threads as you stitch. A stapler will hold larger pieces together, too. But my all time favorite is Roxanne's Glue Baste ... I have it stashed in all my cubbies!

 

I prefer one strand of floss and a whip stitch to hold down most of my pieces.

 

A blanket or buttonhole stitch gives a more decorative edge ... this is a loop stitch and the one thing you need to remember is that the needle needs to cross the thread to complete the stitch.

I  use the backstitch and running stitch, too. If I run them down the center of a leaf I'll tug the threads a bit to make the shape gather up a little ... gives it a 3D look. There are no rules to what kind of stitch to use ... play around and have fun!

 

 

French knots are perfect for holding berries in place ... cross stitches add texture. Because the pieces I design are mostly decorative, I leave a lot of loose edges for dimension. (This basket is the November page in the 2010 American Patchwork and Quilting calendar!)

 

There's no rule that says wool must only be used with wool. Piece a background and embellish it with wool shapes. It's washable by hand ... great for table coverings and purses and even full sized quilts. Did you know you can piece with it too? For our wool club one year we made a pieced and appliqued quilt ... its amazing what traditional blocks look like when they're pieced with wool instead of cottons!

Any applique pattern can be adapted ... you probably have some in your pattern stash that would be perfect.  Put them to a new use! If you want to try your hand at wool applique, check out some of my designs on the American Patchwork and Quilting web site. We also have precut kits you can order on our Rosebud's Cottage  site.

Ok ... so you know the rules ... there are prizes during the blog hop! Today, I'll pick two winners from those who comment on my blog. It's strawberry season in Minnesota ... the prize is our very popular strawberry needle keeper! We've been keeping busy making more kits so if you aren't lucky enough to win one, we'll have some for you to order.

Thanks for taking part in the blog hop ... we're so lucky in Minnesota to have over 30 of the best designers in the industry living practically in our backyards! I hope you get the opportunity to experience all they have to offer.

Roseann

 

  

Comments

[Kathleen]

I love the pieces you're showing here. I have lots of felted wool, but haven't done anything with it yet. You inspire me to try. This blog hop is a wonderful idea. Enjoying "meeting" all of you.

[Joyce]

Great blog ~ thanks for sharing ~
happy quilting

[Martina]

Thank you very much for sharing. I just started a project with wool and just like it. Oh, I love your flowerbasket!!! And the strawberry looks so cute.

[Sharon S]

You make it look so easy. I've got to give it a try! Thank you for a fun week!

[Jo Okita]

Aloha from Hawaii - even here your wool pieces look warm and inviting.
Aloha, Jo

[Robin (rsislandcrafts)]

I love working with wool!

[Sheila]

I LOVE working with wool....but I have never only used one strand of floss.....I am going to try it out!
I am enjoying these hot days on the lake in Fergus Falls!

[Mel]

I look forward to each day of this designer hop!

Thanks for all the info on working with wool! I've done very small items because I'm not sure of myself yet, but your instructions will back me up when I try something larger!

Love your work!

[BrendaLou]

beautiful pictures!!!

[Angela]

I love wool applique, it is so much neater and faster than other.... Your work is gorgeous.

[Sue H]

The wool looks wonderful! Thank you for sharing.

[Gran]

Ah - it is now the 25th and I can enter your drawing.
It is so much fun reading your blog and I love working with wool too. The whole texture and use of embroidery stitches always makes a beautiful piece.
Thank you for your tutorial - I will be back. And thank your for the opportunity to participate.

[Kim]

I too love working with wool, but we don't have a very large selection of hand dyed wool in our area. I DO, though, have a pretty good stash of wool I've felted from thrift store blazers. Your tutorial was great inspiration for experimenting with different types of thread (I've been using perle, and you're right--it's a bit limited!) and stitches!

[Cindi]

I just started working with wool and I love it. Thanks for the tips.

[xstpenguin]

Oh good, I'm early for a change!

That wool looks really yummy, I do love wool, but I have a background in garment sewing - wool makes me thing of gorgeous skirts and jackets! I'd feel strange cutting it into such little pieces. But maybe I could get used to it for such great results!?

Thanks for the generous giveaway.

Cheers,
AJ

[Rafael's mum]

This is so amazing! I have bought a few wool scarves, not to wear, but because I liked the colours and feel of it. they are on my shelf.. waiting for inspiration. I certainly will have a good look at your site! Thanks for taking part in the blog hop.

[Christine]

Love the look of the wool especially the the plaidy ones. Thanks for all the info.

[christine]

I have really enjoyed reading about your love for wool and will have to have a go at some.
Thank you for sharing

cheers
Christine

[Susan M.]

Wah, where is my comment? I thought I just commented and I cannot find it. I love the tips about wool felt as I mentioned in my previous comment. I hope my previous comment shows up soon.

I am gonna have fun looking back through your blog. Thanks bunches.

[Jean]

Thanks so much for the wool tips. I have done a few wool projects, but your tutorial makes me want to do more.
LOVE the Minnesota designers blog hop-it's been so much fun so far!

[Rebecca Clarke]

Oh I just bought some lovely wool felt and have been going to have a go at a project and now I am all inspired. Thanks so much.

[Diane]

Thanks for the tutorial. I enjoyed reading your blog.

[Alexandra Wellington]

Ooooh, look at those beautiful colours of the wool and the amazing shapes you created with it. lovely

Alexandra

[Carrie Andrew]

I love working with wool. Texture is always great especially on quilts. Thank you, Carrie

[Pat A]

I love your shop and the idea for this hop is great for our state to showcase its talented designers. Keep on creating.

[Lauralee]

I LOVE WOOL ~ thanks so much for all the info you provided today. Now I can expand on my wool applique techniques!!!

[Guilitta]

Thank you very much for your Post. i think I will give it a try.

Greeting Guilitta from Germany

[Vickie E]

that was a great tutorial. I just bought 2 small wool kits at NQA and started the freezer paper method. I never thought to use the clover pins. Thanks for the idea!

[Dawn]

Wool on quilts is wonderful! Thanks for sharing and promoting the use of wool. I am enjoying your blog :)
~ Dawn

[Donya]

I love wool even though I live in hot, hot, hot Florida.

[grace]

was just looking for something like that ... gave me good ideas for future ... thanks ... :)

[Jessica Thibeault]

I have not yet worked with felt, but I have been interested!! Thanks for sharing your tips. I love how the felt adds dimension.

[Bobbie BentNeedle]

I've come to be allergic to wool, and really sigh when I see such gorgeous pieces as you show here. Thanx for making it look easy enough for me to want to it, even tho' I know I should not.

[Betty]

Beautiful work. Making a doll quilt of wool appeals to me. Thanks for the clear instructions.

[Ivy]

Thank you for sharing, I've always wanted to try this.

[Mary in MN]

I, too, love to work with wool. Thanks for the info! Love this blog hop!

[Doris Taylor]

Wool is my favorite fabric to work with. Love the 3 dimensional designs you show. Also how you incorporate it with cotton fabric. Awesome! Thanks for the tutorial.

Doris

[Carolyn]

Thanks for the tutorial. I've never worked with wool, but I am going to put a wool project on my list. It's time to try something new.

[LaurieC]

Thanks for the great tips and info on using wool. Your examples are beautiful!

[Lynda Green]

Thank you for the tips and inspiration to finish two wool projects. It is certainly a comforting textile.

[Bonnie Lundorff]

Thanks for the great information Roseann. I'm hoping to road trip down there sometime this summer. Gotta love wool! Bonnie

[Cathy]

Great tutorial. What beautiful work you do with wool. You make it look so soft.

[Sarah Vee]

Thank you for sharing how to work with wool. I'm a quilter curious to try. You may have convinced me! Thanks for the chance to win the strawberry. This is a great blog hop. Now I don't Have to move to Minnesota:)

[Sherri]

Thank you for the great tutorial. I will now look at wool with a new appreciative eye! Love the site!!

[Kristie]

I'm just starting to catch the wool applique bug... Love your pics!

[Sue P]

I've never tried wool, so thanks for the introduction. Your pictures are so good that it's as if I can feel the texture of the wool. Great job!

[Cathy]

Yum. Even though it's supposed to be stinkin' hot today, I'm going to do something with wool. Inspiring!

[Shirley]

I have recently become addicted to hand stitching. Your patterns are beautiful!!

[Thelma]

You make this look tempting...THANKS!!

[Jill]

I love the projects you show here, makes me want to get out my wool and start a new project. Thanks for this great blog hop!