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Wool Applique

fuellingdesigns
Feb 23
2 min read

The term applique’ is derived from Latin applico “I apply” and French appliquer “attach”. Wool applique is a subcategory of the many types, techniques, and materials associated with applique.

Heat and agitation cause wool fibers to shrink and felt together. Wool applique involves stitching felted wool shapes onto a background fabric and embellishing with embroidery. Felted wool does not fray when cut allowing for raw edge stitching.

Wool is a versatile fiber that adds texture and dimension. The applique and embroidery can be simple to elaborate. Wool can be purchased from specialty shops in bundles or sold by the inch. Wool dyes beautifully and there are amazing colors available on the market. Embroidery floss and threads are diverse. Books, materials, kits and tutorials abound in the world of wool applique.

My mother was a rug hooker, and she introduced me to wool when I was young. She would search thrift stores for wool garments that she would strip and use in her rugs.

I still look for wool garments at thrift stores. I deconstruct them and turn them into felted wool. It’s a bit of work. I remember when I was newly married, burning out the transmission of my washing machine felting wool.

I stitch the applique shapes with matching thread using either a whip stitch or a running stitch. Then the applique is embroidered. The buttonhole stitch is a classic edge finishing stitch. Sometimes I use just a bit of wool applique to make a project pop. Other projects are all about the wool and embellishing it.

My photos show some of the wool work I have done on my quilts. Also steps to felting wool.

I bought a wool suit coat last week at a thrift store. The muted mustard yellow is lovely. The coat was deconstructed and washed in hot water. Before drying I was able to pull off most of the fused interfacing. Then I dried it on high heat for a long time to felt the wool as much as possible.