How to Sew With Wool Fabric
Wool fabric is one of the easiest fabrics to sew with. It holds its shape well, and the cut edges are clean with no unraveling. Seams can be sewn on the back side of your project or on the front for a more decorative feature. It is bulkier than most fabrics, which means you need to keep that in mind when contemplating using a flat seam. Recycle old men's suits into warm and comfortable blankets with simple sewing lines and an easy tufting stitch.
Things You'll Need
- Approximately 4 men's wool suits 1 3/4 yards wool flannel Measuring tape Ruler Scissors Lightweight cardboard Pencil Tapestry needle Yarn Straight pins Sewing machine Iron Tailor's chalk Hand sewing needle and thread Seam ripper
Instructions
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1
Take the seams apart on the suits using the seam ripper. Lay all the pieces out flat and iron.
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2
Draw a template that is 6 inches square on the lightweight cardboard. This will give you a finished block size of 5 1/2 inches.
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3
Cut out a total of 80 wool squares using the 6-inch cardboard template. Draw around the template using the tailor's chalk. You do not need to divide the amount evenly between all of the suits.
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4
Place the wool squares in a pleasing arrangement on the floor. Arrange them eight blocks across by 10 blocks down.
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5
Sew each of the squares together in a row of eight. Use a 1/4-inch seam allowance with the seams of the row all on the back side of the quilt. Repeat for each of the nine remaining rows. Press the seams open.
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6
Place the top row of eight face down on the front side of the second row. Match the corner seams of each block and pin on one long side of the row. Sew the pinned long edge together using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Repeat for each of the remaining rows. Press the seams open.
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Lay the wool flannel fabric right side up on your work surface. Place the wool fabric blanket throw face down on the flannel. Pin the two layers together. Sew around the blanket throw using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Leave an 8-inch opening for turning.
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8
Clip the corners of the throw and turn it right side out. Hand-sew the opening closed.
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9
Pin the corners of each block through the front and back thicknesses of the throw. Thread a length of yarn on the tapestry needle and stitch from front to back to front again, leaving a tail on both ends of the yarn. Tie the yarn in a knot and trim the ends to 1 1/2 inches long. Repeat the tufting for the remaining pinned corners.
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Tips & Warnings
Wool fabric also works great for appliqué. You do not need to turn the edges.
