simplyme

This is my first time to ask a question so here goes. I am in the middle of making a quilt and am having problems with one fabric. I purchased it @ Joanns. It is a solid lite teal green. I cut all the fabric at the same time but I have noticed that while I am sewing it looks like the lite teal green is shrinking a little. It is really starting to mess up my project. I hate to take everything apart and replace this fabric but I know I will not be happy with the end result if I don't. I am making this quilt for hubby so I will see it alot. Has anyone else had this problem of fabric shrinking while sewing? I will never buy this type of fabric again. I have been quilting for over 20 years, I do not pre-wash my fabric but I do iron everything with starch.

auntpiggylpn

Is it fraying alot? I'm gonna watch this thread as I have no idea!

Buckeye Rose

If you didn't prewash, it could be that you are getting a bit of shrinkage/distortion when you iron, especially if you are using steam. I don't use steam when I iron, or I guess I should say when I press. Always press, don't move the iron back and forth as it will cause the fabric to move and distort.

frarose

I don't buy my quilting fabrics at J---n. With their prices right now you can go to a quilt shop and get really nice fabrics for the same price. They don't carry name brands.

sandpat

Thats whay I'm thinking...it is shrinking with the pressing. If you feel this way about it now....take it apart and start over. Or just use what you've done for a pillow or something and start the quilt over. You'll regret it if you don't.

simplyme

It's not faying. I do press alot and use steam and starch. I have never had this problem before. I bought the fabric because it was on sell. Big mistake. I will have to make a trip to LQS to find some new fabric to replace it with. It makes me sick to think about taking apart but better then live with something that I know I will not be happy with.

Zhillslady

This is true. They claim you save with the coupon but 90% of time the fabric is $1 off so can't use coupon. Stick with the LQS and support you neighbor businesses.

irishrose

The fabric that did that to me was a nice Robert Kaufman one from the LQS. That's when I decided to go back to prewashing.

ckcowl

are you using steam? sometimes steam can cause shrinkage. did you pre-wash?
some fabrics shrink more than others- pre-washing helps get the shrinkage out of the way before you start using it....is it cotton? or a blend?

Lori S

I have had fabric shrink on the ironing board right before my very eyes. The heat and or the steam can/will shrink some fabrics. It is very frustrating when it happens as it means you are typically done cutting and now onto the sewing part.
I would abandon the use of this particular fabric as it will only continue to frustrate you in other parts of the process. Or if all the pieces are not cut shrinking it before cutting anymore.