Sunday, October 25, 2015

WOOL APPLIQUE PROJECT

Not much machine-piecing time this week.  Been busy doing other things in preparation for our home to be on a local charity home tour in December.  That will probably be the norm for the next four or five weeks.  So, I may be missing in action from the blog world off and on.

However, I do have a wool applique project in progress that I can pick up to hand sew when I have a moment.

It consists of 33 four-inch blocks, two patterns alternating,  and eventually will be a table runner.
All of the wool is recycled from wool garments I found at thrift stores.  I usually pay only $3-$4 for a skirt, most are Pendleton's and other high quality wool.  I then deconstruct the garment, removing zippers, hems, etc.  Next, they go through the felting process of hot water in the washer, then into a hot dryer.  It can be a time consuming process, but the yards and yards of good wool for little money is the pay-off.
The blocks are in various stages of completion -- If I get bored with one step, I can move on to another block, then come back later.  The little white scraps of paper have numbers to keep me straight.  This is a good way to mark projects; I use scraps of freezer paper that can be temporarily ironed on.

 After appliqueing all the parts down, I like to embellish with Perle cotton embroidery.  This is my favorite way to corral my Perle cotton.  I wind the thread on popsicle sticks that I have cut slits in to keep the ends under control.
I have a way to go on this project, but it will be finished some day! 

To view some of my previous wool projects click on " Wool Applique" under my header above.

I'm joining the following:

Love Laugh Quilt for Monday Making
Cooking Up Quilts for Main Crush Monday
Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday
Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday
Sew Fresh Quilts for Let's Bee Social Wednesday
Confessions of a Fabric Addict for Can I Get a Whoop Whoop Friday
Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday

8 comments:

Ramona said...

Your wool project is lovely. I recycle wool clothing, too. Your idea for storing your thread is a good one!

Bonnie said...

Oh wow! I hate to see Pendleton clothes get cut up but I love what you do with them! And, this project is so darn cute. Do you use an iron on adhesive to attach your fabrics? Would you consider doing a tutorial on how you do your work? I keep "planning" to do a wool appliqué but haven't started it. Although, I will admit I'll probably do it with wool felt or felt that is wool and some other fiber. I have some I purchased years ago. Maybe this winter I should take it out and start it! Lovely project to enjoy looking at.

beth s said...

OOooh! I LOVE your wool project!

Jereena said...

This is really cute. I like the popsicle stick idea to wind pearle cotton. I really like how you laid out each pattern and different color fabrics. Overall it looks fantastic. Can't wait to see the finished project.

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts said...

Wool is something I've never worked with but I always want to when I see projects like yours! Using wool clothes is smart. I love this post - it's full of great ideas! Thanks for linking up to MCM. :)

Pieced Brain Quilt Designs said...

They are looking so beautiful! I also like to recycle wool. Great way to manage the floss! derussell22 at gmail.com

GranthamLynn said...

Very very nice. Never tried but love yours. I'd love to make a quilt from Pendleton plaids. Thanks for sharing yours.

Lynette said...

Such a nice project going here. :) I really love your applique threads on a spindle, too - I bet that's super handy.