Which Border? And When To Wash?

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10-22-2014, 03:22 PM

#11

quiltsRfun

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I'd wash it after quilting and binding. If you was the top only, the circles will fray but so will all you seams. You'll end up with thready mess and possibly weakened seams due to fraying.

10-22-2014, 03:31 PM

#12

Prism99

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Location: Western Wisconsin

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Definitely do not wash the top before it is quilted and bound. You can end up with a real mess!!! I always take my finished quilts to the laundromat for their first washing.

10-22-2014, 03:32 PM

#13

joyce888

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I would use a narrow black border then the gray circle as last border. I would NOT wash it until it's quilted and bound.

10-22-2014, 03:34 PM

#14

Krystyna

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OK, then! I knew I could count on you ladies for good advice! Circles with narrow black binding it is! Then ... off to the laundromat to clog up their machine! Will post pix when done.

10-22-2014, 03:49 PM

#15

Jeanne S

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Location: Tulsa, Ok

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Unless you need the border to get a larger size, I would skip the border and just bind it. Many modern quilts don't have borders. (If you really want/need a border, I vote for the gray with circles.)
I have never made a rag quilt but think you may be asking for trouble washing the top before quilting. I would finish it first then wash to get the fraying look you want.
Cute quilt!!!

10-22-2014, 04:18 PM

#16

bjchad

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Location: Southern New Jersey USA

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I like the gray with circles but I would do that as inner border, then narrow black with black binding. That is, if you have to have borders for size.

10-22-2014, 04:39 PM

#17

GailG

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Join Date: May 2008

Location: Louisiana

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Quote:

Originally Posted by citruscountyquilter

I like the gray circles. I would be apprehensive about just washing the top along. I think it should have the stability of quilting and binding on it first. If your home washer is too small then go to the laundromat. I think you'll have a mess on your hands if you wash it before you quilt it.

I agree with this: gray circles; do not wash until the quilt is finished and do it at the laundromat.
For somereason, gray is now a modern fabric. I have always loved gray. In the seventies, I wore a lot of gray (that was before my hair was very gray

). At that time, I remember pairing it with a rusty brown.

10-22-2014, 05:49 PM

#18

quiltjoey

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Join Date: Sep 2010

Location: SC

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I agree with Tartan about the 2" black border and then the wider gray with circles. The black will frame the quilt and give the eye a rest from all the circles which compete with one another...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tartan

I vote for a 2 inch black border and then the gray with circles. I think I would quilt it before washing at the laundromat. I don't know how you would get it smoothed out to make the quilt sandwich without ironing it again after washing the top. Ironing would be tricky with all the curled edges. Neat top!

10-23-2014, 04:58 AM

#19

ManiacQuilter2

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Location: Southern California

Posts: 19,127

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaperPrincess

Great quilt. As far as washing it, I would take it to a Laundromat & save your home washer!

I TOTALLY AGREE !!! Take it to the closest laundromat. You don't want to have to pay for a plumber !! My best friend washed her first rag quilt and she ended up calling a plumber.