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Question of the Week

Question for the week of January 26, 1998:

Our question this week comes from B. Clegg

I need suggestions on how best to use a stash of wool scraps for a quilt. Should I felt them first or just proceed as you would for a regular quilt. Also, how do you clean a wool quilt, machine wash cold/gentle cycle or dry clean?

Julie :
To felt or not to felt is really your own preference. How do you want the quilt to look when finished?
Washing, I would suggest filling your bathtub with cool water and a very small amount of wool safe
detergent and 'gently' pat your quilt to saturate and let soak for a bit. Drain the water without
lifting the quilt. It will be extremely heavy and this could distort it. Press the excess water out
of your quilt while it is still in the tub. Fill the tub with cool rinse water and repeat the draining
process. You may need to repeat the rinse a time or two more to get all the detergent out. When you have
pressed out as much water as possible in the tub, carefully roll your quilt up in large towels until as much
moisture as possible is removed. Then 'block' your quilt out on dry towels in an out of the way place for
several days (depending you your climate). Any agitating of the wool will begin the felting (shrinking) process
so very gently swish only if necessary.

Barbara LeCain, Portland, or :
I am preparing my wool scraps by washing
them first. I believe after I finish the
quilt, I hope to do what our great grand-
mothers did and hang it or lay it in the sun
sun (with a sheet over it of course) and
let it air out for that fresh country smell

Anne in Toronto :
I'm surprised everyone's so hepped on felting the wool first - unfortunately, you'll lose the lovely hand woolen fabrics have. I would think that a woolen quilt would be special so likely to get less wear and tear on the internal seams. Also, all piecing seams will be sandwiched inside. Even the quilting lines will help hold things stable.
As for cleaning, I agree that unless you're extremely careful, dry cleaning is the best option - the size of a guilt almost precludes hand wahing in cold water. Should be a beautiful piece when finished - why not try adding some of the wool flannels that have hit the market over the last year or so..
have fun!!!

valerie-ontario :
I'm afraid I can't help too much. However you store them make sure that it's resonably well ventilated as bugs and moths love it and can quickly destry your precious scraps.

Lori Ann :
Felt them first that way they won't unravel, wool quilts are dry clean onty if you wash them they are never the same again.

Donnatelle :
I think I have the answer to your second
Question you should dryclean it wool has
a tendency to shrink if washed. I use to work at a dry cleaners/

CHARLET WENZEL :
ONCE WOOL HAS BEEN FELTED AND MADE INTO A QUILT IT SHOULD NOT BE WASHED AGAIN ONLY DRY CLEANED YOU SHOULD FELT THE WOOL FIRST

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