Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Monday, March 8, 2010

A Weekend Finish

Last week while I was reading blogs I ran across several beautiful things I just knew I wanted to make. In fact, I see so many when I'm reading your posts that I'm like a little kid in a candy shop sometimes, I don't know what to pick first and if I try them all I'll make myself sick. :) Karen at Log Cabin Quilter
always has projects that draw my eye and that post showed more than one. She had begun a wool table mat that had a vase of spring flowers on it and I loved the way it was shaping up. Since I can't draw stick figures I went to some of my other patterns, Botanika for the vase and Primitive Gatherings for the flowers, and drew some off to make the mat below. I used wools I have gathered from skirts, pants, and jackets I found at Goodwill and Salvation Army. I love the way it turned out and already have it on my coffee table for spring.
I do have a problem I could use some help/advice with on this project and others I have plans for. When I find a wool garment I cut it apart, wash it once in hot water, and dry it in a hot dryer. I'm wondering if I need to do that more than once. The problem is that some of the wools are still fraying. I thought that once wools were washed and dried they wouldn't do that any more. I know several of you have a lot more experience than me so what do you think? I've ordered the Wool Crazy Quilt book and I'm going to be using some of these wools in that quilt so i want to minimize the raveling as much as possible. And I also could use some advice on finding lighter colored wools - I'm not having any luck at all. So far most everything I see is dark - are lighter wools just scarce or am I not looking in the right places?

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Marlene,

Elora, here....wool is hard to find, period. Fabric stores don't carry much, if any wool anymore; and in the Goodwill, etc. it's hard to come across "real" wool. It's all either heavily mixed with synthetics, or treated so as not to "felt" which is what makes it continue to fray. Real wool felts easily and as a result, doesn't fray. The wool that is treated so you can throw it in the washer, keeps on raveling. At least that has been my experience.

Cindy said...

I'm afraid I don't have any help for wool sources. I love the table mat you made!

Michelle said...

Looks great!!!

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Marlene, I love your wool table topper and I bought the Crazy Quilt Book as another project to start. So when you get your answers pass them on. I did get some coats from Goodwill and washed them on hot, but my hot water wasn't hot enough. I then boiled some water and put it in. I just like the idea of making something from lost treasures.

Paula, the quilter said...

Some wools are 'washable' and do not really felt/full. Before you go to the trouble of cutting it apart wash it first. It is the agitation that felts/fulls wool, so if you have a front loading washer it will not work as well. HTH.

Karen said...

I am happy to have inspired your project with works in progress that you saw on my blog. You have done a wonderful job of creating your flower piece.

Grammy Staffy said...

The table topper is just perfect. You are so talented. You always impress me.

thanks for your prayers for Lynell. You are right....it is always a blessing when prayers are answered.
Have a lovely week. Hugs, Lura

em's scrapbag said...

I love that you get your wool the same place I do. I often wash and dry mine more than once sometimes even 3 times. Just depends how well it felts. Your table mat is lovely.

Jody Blue said...

Church garage sales are a good place to find wool sweaters.

Osage Bluff Quilter said...

The cinnamon rolls are on me anytime!

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Hi Marlene!
This piece is just beautiful! Here is a place that carries some nice wool in light colors.
www.colonialcrafts.com
Hugs to you,
shell