Try Wool Applique: Preparing to Stitch

Wool Applique Basics: Working with Wool

Try wool applique! Learn tips and tricks to prepare for stitching. 

Whether you're new to wool applique or just looking to refine your skills, we've got a great wool applique project for you! Join the AQS Creativity Challenge: My Dream _________ Cabana (YOU Fill in the Fun!) You can learn all about it by clicking here.

Our Creativity Challenge requires a kit that includes the wool background and wool cabana pieces all ready to go. For other wool pieces, you'll want to work from your stash, or source it from old garments.

Collecting & Preparing Wool

Non-worsted Wool can be found in a variety of sources, from old garments to blankets. (Worsted wool is typically found in old suits and doesn't generally change in the fulling process. It is characteristically flat and smooth.)

To prepare the wool for applique, try this fulling process...

  • Take apart the garment or item, removing all embellishments and seams.
  • Separate the wool into like colors.
  • Wash in a washing machine using hot water with a cold rinse.
  • Dry on the hottest dryer setting. *Check the lint trap frequently and keep it cleaned out.

If a piece of wool comes out unchanged, chances are it is worsted wool.

Preparing Pattern Templates

Transferring the templates to the wool is easy using freezer paper. Because the freezer paper is adhered to the front side of the wool, there is no need to reverse the templates.

Follow these easy steps...

  • Trace the templates on the dull side of the freezer paper and roughly cut out the shape outside of the line.

 

  • Lay the freeze paper (shiny side down) on whichever side you want to use as the front side of the wool. Press in place with a dry, hot iron. We are using a handy travel-size iron.

 

  • Trim on the line around the template. These are our favorite scissors for working with wool.

 

  • Place a dot of glue in the middle of the back of the template. The glue can go anywhere except where you plan to stitch. The needle applicator on Roxanne's Glue Baste-it is great for tiny pieces.

 

  • Position the wool piece on the background and press it into place. Let the glue dry. Remove the freezer paper when ready to stitch.

Now we are ready to stitch! Come back next week as we learn the basic wool applique hand embroidery stitches.

Want to try what you've learned? Try the 12 Pumpkin pattern here.

Don't miss the AQS Creativity Challenge!

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