Wool Thread…

Several readers asked about using Wool Thread when working with wool…I use wool thread because of the way it looks..It melts right into the wool and you can’t see it and if you do see it, it looks all soft and fuzzy…the way that wool should look!

This is the wool thread that I bought at the Wool Lady’s Shop in Temecula.  I was thrilled with it as it is strong and yet has a nice nap.  The Wool Lady dyes all her threads to match her wool which is another bonus!

Zooming in for a close-up…you can see that this thread is fuzzier and thicker than embroidery floss so I use a 24 chenille needle when working with it.  This needle punches a hole into the wool fabric so that the wool thread glides in easier.

DMC also carries Wool Thread…the two blues are DMC so you can see how similar they are to the Wool Lady’s threads.

There are many different brands…these I bought at a Button Shop in Victoria…LOVE these threads (Bros. Ltd LONDON)…and the REALLY nice thing about these Wool Threads is that they come in a HUGE variety of colours.  You may need to use a needle threader to thread your needle as this fuzzy thread is thicker and you may need to use shorter lengths of wool thread to prevent breakage…you will have to experiment a bit with whatever thread you find in your corner of the world.

I stumbled onto this wool thread in a Knitting Shop (it’s suppose to be used for darning socks). I used it to quilt my Settler’s Pride Quilt.  It is 75% wool and 25% polyamid so it is EXTRA strong and was perfect for this project!  I am going back for more…

Let’s REALLY look at Claire’s work from yesterday so that you can SEE how great Wool Thread really is (Claire won’t mind!)…

Just look at those trees and Frosty and his wonderful scarf…see how the stitches don’t jump out at you…just blend right in…that’s the beauty of Wool Thread!

See these ity-bity pieces of wool forming the hats and mittens?  Here’s where you need to change your thread and your needle…use a finer needle and ordinary sewing machine thread (match it to the colour of the wool if you can)…wool thread or perle cotton is just too darn fat and will pull these little pieces apart.

What about Embroidery Floss you say?  Floss works great!  It is easy to find in the stores…comes in all colours so that you can match it to your wool and two strands give a nice look.  Keep in mind that you do see your stitches (which can be a GOOD thing).  Embroidery Floss  is shinier than wool but you will still do a wonderful job.  Perle Cotton is great for doing the blanket stitch around the penny…I like Valdani Perle Cotton as it is not as shiny and blends into wool better.

SEW..regardless of what you are stitching with, your project is going to turn out to be BEAUTIFUL!  It all comes down to what YOU like and what is available to YOU!  Remember, there is no RIGHT or WRONG way of working with wool!  Mix it up…or go with one type of thread.  Some of the famous wool designers use nothing but sewing machine thread and their work is stunning!

One thing is for SURE…I need a better way of storing my wool threads!  OUCH!

               HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNE!!

                

BEFORE I GO…I need to wish our Clubhouse quilter, Anne a VERY SPECIAL birthday!! 

BIRTHDAY??   Guess that means another “GIRLS DAY OUT”!!  SEW…it’s off to Monica’s QS Sale (in honour of some sporting event??) and then to keep the Canadians happy, we will take in our favourite store (JoAnn’s) and of course, it’s out for LUNCH!!  Hopefully this ‘sporting event’ will be over and done with by the time we get home!:)

Have a Sunny Sunday and Happy Quilting!~P