Wool Applique

Wool applique is popular with quilters at this time.  In Canada we are doing some of it but in my area it is not as popular.  Still, there can be times when you want a little something different.  Wool is expensive so I have opted to bring in some special items from the US.  I found these wool charm packs and was drawn by the button packaging.  This way you don't have to invest in large pieces to get a variety for leaves, berries or other small shapes.

Each set has 5 squares that are 5" and dyed in a colourway.  Each piece is a different wool fabric.  There are about 30 colour packages to choose from.  We are down to about 10 colours.

These are boxes of wool pennies from the same company, 'in the patch designs'.  There are 100 circles at 1" and 100 circles at 1 1/2".  These appeal to people who love making penny rugs and other penny items. 
There is a local rughooking group.  One member came to the store and we started talking about wool pennies.  I told her we have a Accuquilt Studio die cutting system with several sizes of round circle dies.  One day she booked the classroom and brought a bag full of wool pieces.  She spent a couple of hours happily cutting pennies.  She is looking forward to bringing her friends in the new year.

To complete the wool inventory, we added wool thread from Aurifil.  The thread is 50% wool and 50% acrylic.  Karen used it on her sample with wool felt background and wool pennies.  She used 2 strands and hand embroidered the buttonhole stitch.  I like the wool as it has a matte look to it rather than the shiny look of pearl cotton.  I want to try some on the sewing machine.  Maybe tomorrow....