TO PRE-WASH OR NOT TO PRE-WASH?
That is the question
It seems everyone has his or her own preference. Sew Bee It has decided to
officially recommend that you play it safe. If your going to make a quilt
that will be washed anyway PRE-WASH we say! Separate colors, wash in warm
water with a phosphate free detergent. Dry until damp, press and stash it.
To help reduce frayed edges avoid cuts that are smaller than 1/3rd and
clip corners on the diagonal. You could also try one of those lingerie bags for
smaller cuts. If you are making a wall hanging don't pre-wash. The finish
could help deter fading from the light. For further information on this
topic please feel free to contact
us.
Dispelling the Mystery of Machine Quilting
by Debbi Dunn:
Like any good book, machine quilting can be mysterious. Some quilters are intrigued and even a little afraid of machine quilting. Although it's
thought of as a new technique, it's not. The Museum of American Quilter's Society actually has an antique quilt in their collection that was quilted by machine. This article will unravel the mystery and help you understand the machine quilting process. As an avid machine quilter, I usually think about how I want to quilt my project while designing my top or while working on it. Many times
however, I don't even make my final decision until after my top is basted. Before I even put a needle to thread I know there are many things to consider.
Batting: Different battings have different attributes. Read and understand about them all so you understand them and use the correct batting for your project. They come in polyester, cotton, cotton/poly blends, wool, and silk. Finishing techniques can be different and this will affect the
distance between quilting lines. Sew Bee It has a helpful staff and charts posted at the shop to aid in these decisions.
Backing fabric: A print with lots of movement is the best for a new machine
quilter. It will not show the quilting as well, so any mistakes that may have been made, aren't as easily noticeable. If you want your quilting to stand out, use a solid.
Threads: Ideally, you want your bobbin thread to blend with your backing fabric and also with your top thread. You can choose from hundreds of threads for your quilt top. The thing to keep in mind is that your quilting should enhance the quilt design and not be a distraction. When choosing your top and bottom threads seek balance and work on scraps to adjust your tension before starting your main project.
Needle: Your needle should be new and appropriate for your fabrics and thread size. Try to use a needle especially for quilting or a sharp rather than a universal. These are available at Sew Bee It.
Marking: There is a huge selection of marking products available to you. All have their own advantages and disadvantages. Some must be done before the basting process is started while others can be done after. Chalk pounces should be used after basting and are easily removed. Golden Threads makes a product that eliminates the need to mark on your quilt at all. Another product comes pre-marked! Sew Bee It can show you about some of these products.
The first step to a successfully machine quilted quilt is preparation of the quilt
sandwich: The day before you plan to quilt, take your batting out and spread it out on a spare bed or someplace it can be left to breath and expand without being moved too often. Basting your quilt properly is one of the keys to machine quilting. Start by pressing and either starching or sizing your quilt back. Adding sizing or starch will add body to the fabric and help eliminate tucks on the back. Press your quilt top, making sure
that all seams go in the correct direction. Lay your quilt back on a flat, clean surface with the wrong side up. Being careful not to stretch the backing fabric, tape it in place. Lay your batting on top of the quilt back, smooth it out by hand if needed. Next, place your quilt top, right side up, on top of the batting. The backing and batting should be at least two inches larger than the quilt top. Smooth out the quilt top and baste in place. Special quilters basting safety pins or temporary spray adhesive (505) both work well. If using safety pins, don't pin where you will be quilting so you don't have to stop to remove pins until you are done.
Once basted, you are ready to quilt. Your top was either marked prior to basting or you have decided on an alternative product. Your sewing area should be clear. Ask Sew Bee It for a spray to make your quilting area slippery and/or the Teflon sheet for your quilting bed. Make sure your sewing machine and chair height are correct.
How did you decide to quilt your quilt? Quilting Makes the Quilt shows many examples of how different quilting designs affect the overall affect of
the quilt and can be a great aide in choosing your quilt design.
If doing a meandering design on the whole surface of your quilt, start in the center filling up the center area as you work
out towards the edge. If you have straight lines that go across your quilt, use a walking foot and do them first. Start in the center of the quilt and quilt from the top of the quilt edge all the way to the bottom. Work your way first to one side and then the other. If your lines are both vertical and horizontal, do all the vertical lines before doing the horizontal lines. Let your sewing machine and walking foot do their job. Don't push
or pull the quilt thru the foot and don't let the weight of the quilt "pull" on the needle or machine. If you have free motion quilting to do in the blocks, do them after all the straight-line work. Gridlines or stippling should be done after your design is done so that you can stop/start in the correct area and completely fill in the work area.
For a more thorough discussion, get a good book dedicated to machine quilting such as
"Harriet Hargrave's Mastering Machine Quilting". Take a machine quilting class for hands on experience and remember, like learning a musical instrument; the art of machine quilting takes practice, practice, and practice.
