Felted Wool Techniques and Giveaway

Today I would like to share the easy techniques I used for making this Rose Sampler wall quilt using raw edge applique with felted wool and a hand blanket stitch. The patterns used are from my Rose Sampler Supreme book which is available from my website:www.quiltsbyrosemary.com

Thanks so much Madame Samm for inviting me and also to Deborah Brown of Burlington, Ontario for recommending me.

The background fabric I used was a black felted wool but if I did this again I think I would chose a brushed cotton or flannel as this would be easier to stitch and quilt through as it wouldn't be so thick and heavy. Cut the blocks slightly larger than the finished size that you want, for example I cut my blocks 14 1/2 inches square because I wanted them to finish 14 inches square.



Cut the stems 3/8 inches wide along the straight grain of the fabric as wool is flexible and will bend around the curves easily. The stems are cut a little wider than for regular applique to allow for the blanket stitches along the edges of both sides.

To prepare the applique shapes, first trace them onto a paper backed fusible web and cut them out roughly. Press them onto the wrong side of the felted wool using steam and the wool setting on your iron. Refer to the directions that come with the fusible web as to how long to press as this varies depending on the brand that you use. Place the shapes close together and use leftover scraps as well so you do not waste space as the felted wool is expensive.

Cut the shapes out carefully with small scissors and then remove the paper.




Place the applique shapes onto the background fabric. I lightly creased the background block into quarters and marked these divisions with a pin at each edge. Then I used my sewing gauge to measure that the pieces were placed correctly referring to my pattern as a guide. Make sure to underlap the ends of the stems and buds by at least 1/4 inch so that the ends will stay tucked under when you do the stitching.
I made a transparent overlay, such as the one shown above, to help me with the placement of the border appliques. You could also use this method for the blocks, if desired.



To do the blanket stitch use 2 stands of embroidery floss and an embroidery needle. Start with a knot on the back (this will not show as a backing will cover it later).
Work from left to right as shown, taking care to space the stitches the same distance apart and the same distance in from the edge of the all applique shapes as well as the stems. When you end off and need to start with a new thread, start stitching at the outside edge of the applique shape just inside the the corner of the last stitch so that your stitching will look continuous and the join will not be noticeable. Use a colour of thread that coordinates but does not exactly match your applique pieces--you want your stitches to show!

When stitching a point, place three stitches at the edge--one right at the tip and one an equal distance away on each side of the center stitch. These stitches all go into the same hole on the inside as shown. When stitching at an indentation on an applique shape, make sure one stitch goes straight in at the indentation.

End off your stitches by taking 3 small stitches on the back or by running your embroidery thread through some of the previous stitches on the wrong side of your work.

Press the blocks when the stitching is finished using a slightly damp light weight press cloth (I lightly spritzed the press cloth with water). and square them up to a standard size--in my case I cut the blocks finished 14 inches square.



To join the blocks together, place the raw edges butting and stitch with a zig zag stitch that is wide enough to straddle both edges. Use an even feed foot and if necessary lower the pressure on the machine to prevent stretching the edges of the blocks.

Cover the machine zig zag stitching with a hand embroidered feather stitch using three stands of embroidery floss, as shown above.

The border is joined and stitched in a similar manner.

You can also use a machine blanket stitch and a machine feather stitch if you prefer. Just be sure to use your even feed foot and lower the pressure to prevent puckers and stretching of the fabrics.

As this background is very dense and difficult to see through, I used Press'n Seal for marking my feather quilting pattern on the borders. I will be posting this method on my blog in the next few days. I hope you will visit my blog at www.quiltsbyrosemary/blogspot.com to see this method. I also use this method sometimes when I decide to add fancy quilting after my quilt has already been sandwiched. It is a good method to use whenever it is difficult to see through a heavy fabric--ones that you cannot see through even with a light table or at a window.

I am a small company (just me) and sometimes I conscript my husband to help fold and package my patterns so I do not post on my blog every day. However, if you have any topics you would be interested in seeing on my blog, please let me know and I will do my best to cover that topic in the future.

Thanks so much for visiting with me today.

Rosemary  and here is my blog...
and my website to see some of my creations and class outlines  

Editors note:

Thank you Elizabeth for sharing your expertise with us...how lucky for us to have you in our backyard -sew to speak...
As a thank you..how about a GIVEAWAY....from Crazyquiltgirl our sponsor for today.
Her shop is known for a lot of MODA precuts and yardages and her service is one you can count on..
Today she is giving away this jelly roll Hullabaloo and I have added a couple Precensia Threads compliments of now Colonial Needle another new sponsor..I have some needles to go along with this giveaway too..

A rather nice package of goodies and as always some extra goodies can always be found in my packages...


Sew please visit Rosemary and Crazyquiltgirl ( I believe she may have a project she has done to share with you using this line of fabric)  and thank our Sponsors for keeping us in goods that we can use.

And lucky everyone..Crazyquiltgirl is also giving away another jelly roll on Monday. Stash Manicure is having  this  giveaway tomorrow...Sew you will all have 2 opportunities to win... You think you are confused? lol...

Be a follower sew you can qualify in our giveaways, I have a software that matches your email with your avatar button and all subscribers are welcomed as well.

Congrats PATTY C,

( who has already been contacted) she is very -as she puts it blessed..

and yes she is...Her package will be on its way...

To all those who participated as always, your comments

for our guests and sponsors were very much appreciated..

There will be more giveaways, you can count on it.