Have you seen our beautiful new wool collections? They’re easily some of the most exciting new fabrics we’ve ever introduced – both the HAND-DYED WOOLS and new AUNT GRACE WOOLS are brimming with creative possibilities! Authentic hand-dyes offer you that custom look you love, without the fuss or expense. Plus, a stunning palette of solid wools, color-keyed to our Aunt Grace collections by Judie Rothermel, is sure to coordinate just as beautifully with many of our other fabric groups.

Both HAND DYED WOOLS and AUNT GRACE WOOLS feature the quilter’s preferred blend of 70% wool with 30% nylon. This specially balanced blend gives a rich plush hand with added durability, excellent color retention and reduced shrinkage. Quilters are using wools in lots of creative ways, and these simple tips & suggestions will help even beginning wool quilters to achieve fabulous results!

FABRIC PREPARATION:

• To prepare the wool for general use, giving it a softer, brushed texture, pre-soak in hot water for 20 minutes; air dry.
• To further soften the hand of the wool, after washing, dry in hot dryer (may cause minimal shrinkage.)
• To create a unique, textured look, gather sections of the fabric and secure with rubber bands. Wash, line dry.
• To create Felted Wool: Place wool in a zippered pillowcase, place in washing machine and fill with hot water. Use same amount of detergent you would use for a similar size load and wash on a long cycle with high agitation. If the machine’s hot setting has a cold rinse cycle, skip the rinse and go directly to the spin cycle. Repeat the process until the desired texture is achieved (detergent is optional after the first washing). Remove from pillowcase and machine dry on the hot dryer cycle.

CREATIVE APPLIQUÉ TIPS
To help you make the most of this stunning fabrication, we’ve enlisted the expertise of Marianne Fons & Liz Porter, owner/editors of Love of Quilting magazine, to bring you a few tips for creative wool appliqué.

	Use size 5 Perle cotton for appliqué and embroidery stitches.
	Use a tapestry or embroidery needle with an eye large enough to carry the perle cotton.
	In addition to a simple buttonhole stitch, try other embroidery stitches such as the stem stitch, outline stitch, and lazy daisy to add variety.
Use colored threads that contrast with the colors of your wool.
Trace patterns onto the smooth side of freezer paper and cut out with scissors. Using a dry iron, lightly press shapes to wool to adhere them without pins. Cut out shapes; there’s no need to add a seam allowance.
When stitching smaller shapes atop larger ones, try pinning the small shape on from the back. That way, your thread won't catch on the head or tip of the pin when you stitch.

More Wool Tips from Janet Brandt

Tips: Courtesy of Marianne Fons & Liz Porter. Visit www.LoveofQuilting.com