Try wool applique! Learn tips and tricks for working with wool in this four-part series.
Collecting & Preparing Wool
Non-worsted Wool can be found in a variety of sources, from old garments to blankets. (Worsted wool is typically found in old suits and doesn’t generally change in the fulling process. It is characteristically flat and smooth.)
To prepare the wool for applique, try this fulling process…
- Take apart the garment or item, removing all embellishments and seams.
- Separate the wool into like colors.
- Wash in a washing machine using hot water with a cold rinse.
- Dry on the hottest dryer setting. *Check the lint trap frequently and keep cleaned out.
If a piece of wool comes out unchanged, chances are it is worsted wool.
Preparing Pattern Templates
Transferring the templates to the wool is easy using freezer paper. Because the freezer paper is adhered to the front side of the wool, there is no need to reverse the templates.
Follow these easy steps…
- Trace the templates on the dull side of the freezer paper and roughly cut out the shape outside of the line.
- Lay the freeze paper (shiny side down) on whichever side you want to use as the front side of the wool. With a dry hot iron, press in place. We are using a handy travel size iron.
- Trim on the line around the template. These are our favorite scissors for working with wool.
- Place a dot of glue in the middle of the back of the template. The glue can go anywhere except where you plan to stitch. The needle applicator on Roxanne Glue Baste-it is great for tiny pieces.
- Position the wool piece on the background and press into place. Let the glue dry. Remove the freezer paper when ready to stitch.
Now we are ready to stitch! Come back next week as we learn the basic wool applique hand embroidery stitches.
Want to try what you’ve learned? Here’s a free pattern for you to play with:
https://preview.americanquilter.com/free-pattern-12-pumpkins
I am looking forward to this series. At a recent quilt show I purchased a zip lock bag filled with wool pieces that I was able to choose. I need something to do with all of this fabulous wool. Your series is so timely.
I love to work with wool!
This will be my first experience working with wool and I am excited . It’s been on my bucket list for a long time .
I love working with wool and hope this will develop into an ongoing number of series!!! Once the beginners try it, there’s no going back, hooked forever. LOL