Wool Applique Tips and Tricks

Wool applique is just plain fun.  I used to shy away from it…it sounded hard and fussy…but I’m here to tell you…it’s not!

If you have never tried wool applique but have wanted to give it a go here are a few tips and tricks to help you on your way:

*If you are new to wool applique start with a small project then, if you enjoy it continue on to find larger or more complicated projects.

*The terms “full” and “felting” basically mean the same thing…which is to get your wool ready to work with by washing in hot water and drying on high heat.

*When your wool is “full” or felted” it will should not fray which makes it perfect for raw edge applique!  No need to turn the edges under.

*Serrated scissors work best for cutting wool because they help to grip rather than push the wool when cutting.

*For a more accurate cut you can iron freezer paper onto your wool when cutting out your applique pieces. (The freezer paper will act like a stablizer for your wool!)

To do this trace the shape to cut onto the dull side of the freezer paper.  Then using medium heat press the freezer paper…with the drawing side up…just for a few seconds to the right side of your wool.  Next cut through both the frezzer paper and the wool to get your desired shape and then gently peel off the freezer paper.

*When cutting our shapes with wool cut just outside your traced image rather than right on the line.

*Rather than pinning wool pieces onto the area where they will be appliqued you can use apply fusible backing or glue.  (This is all personal preference….and those who work with wool usually are pretty loyal to their system…so find what works best for you!  Each method will have it’s pros and cons.)

*Don’t worry about stitch perfection.  Wool projects lend themselves nicely to projects that are supposed to look more primitive and handmade…so just have fun and don’t beat yourself up over techniques!

And with all of that said….

Here is a fun project that I just finished using some new wool cuts from Riley Blake Designs.

I have been following along with Lori Holt’s Bee Happy series and just love her Coral Flowers block….so I decided to combine that with my love of pillows (like my Poinsettia Pillows and my Sunflower Pillows) and turn it into another throw pillow!  (Because I can never have to many of those!)

And because I liked how the first one turned out so much I decided to make another one!

Now I have one for spring and one for autumn!

If you have never checked out one of Lori’s sew alongs you really should hop on over and see what she is all about…you won’t be disappointed.  Every thing she does is darling.

And if you have ever wanted to try your hand at wool applique but haven’t tried it yet…you should really do that too!  After all tis the season for curling up on the couch with some handiwork!

Happy sewing!