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Molly's Sketchbook: A Trip Around the Wool

Wool2-15
I love the simple graphic design of a traditional "Trip Around the World" quilt. I have a thing for concentric shapes, plus it's just a bunch of squares so it's realtively easy to put together. I also love the Mary Flanagan wool felt that we carry. It comes in the best, most vibrant colors. Since it's felted you don't have to hem it, it won't unravel. This makes it ideal for applique and handsewing.

I have long had a desire to sew an entire blanket out of the wool felt. One day we got in a large shipment and I couldn't resist any longer. I picked 25 pieces in eight beautiful colors, practically cleaning out the shelf, and went to work.

Wool2-17
This project is entirely hand sewn. It's not difficult but, it does take a while. It's the sort of long term project that you can pick up from time to time, and when you're done you have the most beautiful, drapey, lovely, handmade object. I really love this project and I never get tired of looking at it. If you'd like to take your own "Trip Around the Wool", visit my Project Journal. --Molly

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Reader Comments (30)

Oh Molly, it's beyond gorgeous!!
April 4, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterKim
Wow...this is beautiful. At first I thought it was zig-zagged sewn on a machine but I was very pleased when I saw all the blanket stitches. Really nice.
April 4, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJen
Molly, that blanket is just beautiful. I'd have to pass around a collection to afford all those felt squares, but it looks amazing. Purl needs to offer payment plans for these bigger projects, ha!
April 4, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterAnn
Totally delightful, and a great project for those of us still without a machine...
April 4, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterann
This is so, so gorgeous! Absolutely stunning and it also looks like it would be warm and cozy. I have a stash of that felt that I bought last summer because it was just so pretty I felt like I had to and now I may need to make a little lap blanket from it or something. Wow!
April 4, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterAnnie
Very beautiful! Molly, how long did it take you from start to finish?
April 4, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterStevi
Hi Stevi-
It took me a little more than three months. But I wasn't working on it everyday by any means. I took a good 3 week break in the middle of piecing the strips! Thanks for your comment- Molly
April 4, 2008 | Registered Commenterpurl bee
this is really beautiful. i used to do this type of a blanket for my dolls when i was little. i would use scraps from the rag bag, and often the whole thing came out quite lopsided.
April 4, 2008 | Unregistered Commenteremily august
absolutely amazing
i have to make this
i bought some of the mary flanagan on my last trip there and would love to purchase some more
i also love that it's entirely hand sewn
hand sewing is so relaxing
April 4, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterNancy
That is so cozy and I love the colors and the look of the hand stiching. It would take me forever.
Vicki
April 4, 2008 | Unregistered Commentervicki
as usual, i love it!
April 4, 2008 | Unregistered Commentercindy k
Wow...that is just amazing. I would have never thought to use wool in a patchwork project like that. Absolutely beautiful and unique!
April 4, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterSarah
This is such a beautiful quilt; I love it.
April 4, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterAima
WOW, this is SO beautiful - the colors, the hand stitching, the wonderful pattern. In the photo of the finished quilt it has an almost Kilim woven look to it only of course your quilt would be warm, soft and cozy not scratchy. I love this project. Thanks for sharing.
April 4, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterLucile
There are few things more lovely to me than hand stitching...I love knowing a hand was there, caressing the same fabric I'm now enjoying.
April 4, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJust Pure Lovely
Man- thats awesome!
April 4, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterstephanie
What I love about this quilt are the unexpected bits in the pattern like the bright blue square tossed in the mix. BRAVO Molly.
April 5, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterjosie
It's beautiful!
Is felted wool washable?
April 5, 2008 | Unregistered Commentersara
Hi,
I adore the blanket but also noticed the beautiful pillow cases. Are those embroidered???
Jen
April 5, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJennifer
Beautiful! I'm inspired to get out some felt scraps and make a crazy quilt.
April 5, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterLizzie
Hi Jen-
The pillow cases are embroidered, but not by me. My mom bought them for me at a flea market. But that is a great project idea! Thanks for the comment- molly
April 5, 2008 | Registered Commenterpurl bee
It's perfect - just perfect.
April 5, 2008 | Unregistered Commenter~ Karen ~
It is absolutely stunning!! I adore it!
April 6, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterConcha
Gorgeous! I can't believe it was hand-sewn! Amazing!
April 7, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMorgan
The blanket is a beauty. I love the play of symmetry/asymmetry in the colors.
Your writing and photography make me want to stitch. The clear tutorial makes the project look doable even for someone like me, whose sewing experience is limited to sewing on a button with a hotel mending kit.
April 7, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJohn
Love it! So beautiful. Where did those pillow cases come from? There awesome,as well.

April 10, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterDawn
The felt squares could also be sewn together by machine to showcase fancy machine embroidery stitches. Kind of a "Crazy Trip Around the World". (Hand embroidery inside the squares is optional of course!) I have a bunch of wool suiting scraps that I fulled. With the addition of a few of the Mary Flanagan squares...hmmm... Thanks for a great project idea.
April 10, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterTish
That is SO beautiful! Bravo!
April 11, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterFrank
Totally awsome.I find you very patient and brave. love the color combination. Love your blog and will be back.. Great info overall. Thanks
April 14, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterNathalie
thank you for the tutorial - amazing blanket - I am not someone good with thread and needle... but the way you explained it, I think I just might try this one... I printed your tutorial... we'll see what the future brings.. thanks for the ideas :)
April 30, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterKyle Kunnecke

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