I spin, I have 10 tubs+ of handspun, I don't knit or crochet, so after weaving a few years decided to use it up on blankets. the 12 yards are woven, washed and air dried. cut apart and ready to sew together. I have yet to find the best suggestion of how to sew the 3 panels together and hem them. Ran the end through my serger to stop fraying at this point.

also wondering how I sit with 9' of wool on my lap to sew together! at least I will be warm in the process. is it the blanket stitch, a figure 8, something else?

Thanks for your help.
Beth

Hi Beth,
I'm a spinner, too, with tubs of yarn to weave into blankets and (if I get really brave) a tunic. You're ahead of me in the process, because I haven't started weaving the blanket wool yet. I was waiting for the double-weave lessons in Season 3. So please take any of my suggestions with a grain of salt.

First, I don't know how thick/heavy/drapey your wool is. Nine feet is an awful lot to balance on your lap! Can you use a table? Even a folding table could help. When I've machine quilted, I've rolled the quilt at both ends and that's been helpful, but still awfully awkward. Do you have or can you borrow from a friend or the library, the Alabama Stitch Book by Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin? I was looking at stitches. The backstitch might be a good idea for sewing it together. I don't think the blanket stitch will hold the panels together over time. It's good for edging though and can be pretty.

I have a treasured handmade blanket by my former mother-in-law. She was a weaver in Tibet. I'll try to upload the picture. It looks like she laid the panels next to each other and did a whip stitch to join them. It isn't fancy, but it's held together for at least 40 years and probably more than that. As I typed it, I realized that the whip stitching she did is like backstitching because the stitch is on the front and back of the fabric. I don't know how to use a serger. Is there some way you can serge them together? If you use a regular sewing machine, a walking foot would be very helpful.

Good luck!
Cynthia
Oops, not sure how to upload a photo.

Cynthia,

Thank you for the ideas, I have a sewing machine and server and wouldn’t use those to connect the panel. I sat on the floor and stitched them with a very close blanket stitch . On a weaving group it or a whip stitch was recommended to me, as well as another stitch that sounds like the one used in your blanket. 9’ was too long for the blanket. Once I sew on the bottom edge I will wash again and hope for more shrinking.

Then onto the next blanket, I have a lot of Romney I dyed and spun to use up. Everyone eaglets a blanket, only 2 panels though.

Hi Beth,
I was thinking last night after I'd shut down the computer that once the blanket is fulled a bit maybe the panels will be more joined to each other. Romney should make a lovely, warm blanket! I hope you'll post pictures.
Kindest regards,
Cynthia

Guatemalen huipils (women's garments are attached in 3 panels in a flat hand stitch. Mine are in storage but I will try to get you a picture of the stitch. They were done by hand but they have held up for a long, long time.