by sewdeb ( edited 31 Mar 2017 ) 31 Mar 2017

Cuties, I could use your advice. I'm about to start on a wool appliqued Baltimore Album styled quilt. I have seen numerous conflicting instructions on how to prepare the appliques and background fabrics, such as:

- "Always back each applique with fusible stabilizer"
- "Don't ever use fusible stabilizer with wool" (which I'm leaning toward since I'd like the soft/pliable feel of the fabric)
- "Use 2 layers of no-show plus tear away on the background fabric before appliquéing the design"
- "Only use cut away stabilizer with spray adhesive on the background fabric.
- "Wool MUST be appliqued to wool (I was planning on using either a good quality quilter's cotton or flannel)

I'm not one to always follow the "must" "never" and "always" ultimatums but I sure don't want to end up with a total mess for my efforts, either.

Have any of you done such a project and if so, what would you recommend? I'd really appreciate your
Thanks!
PS: I have given the link to the quilt so you can see what I'm talking about.

1 links:[1] Hop-To-It-Quilt
laundrybasketquilts.com

70753

Comments (4)

by sewdeb 13 Apr 2017

Thanks to all of you for all your help! I just posted the first 5 blocks from the quilt in Projects if you want to see what I came up with.

1 links:[1] http://www.cuteembroidery.com/10498093_hop-quilt-several-day...
www.cuteembroidery.com

70753

by CymbleneJones 31 Mar 2017

I would suggest washing the wool to shrink it. Then use it the way you want. That's just my opinion, because that's what I have done so I don't have a "Dry Clean Only" item later.

1 comment

by sewdeb 01 Apr 2017

Thanks so much - the wool is washed and felted(shrunk) and ready for me to decide what I'm going to do with it. I'd love to see some of your projects using the wool!

1821

by graceandham 31 Mar 2017

Just to confuse the discussion further, are you going to pre-wash and shrink the wool, are you using washable wool. or do you plan to dry clean the quilt when it gets dirty? Can't see wool that's still going to shrink on top of cotton or muslin.

2 comments

by sewdeb 31 Mar 2017

Yes. It's felted wool - prewashed and shrunk - which will not fray when appliqued. The cotton would be prewashed in hot water to shrink it, too.

by graceandham 03 Apr 2017

Oh, I feel so much better. This could work!

66502

by asterixsew Moderator 31 Mar 2017

Sorry I cant help but I would say that I wouldn't mix wool and cotton together but that's me. Anyway I hope that by bringing this back to the top someone will be able to give you the answers that you need. Good luck with your planned project as it sounds very interesting

1 comment

by sewdeb 31 Mar 2017

Thanks for answering.

114292