I'm new and need some help with a French braid quilt
#11
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Location: Ontario, Canada
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If you trimmed the edges straight on your strips, this leaves all bias edges. Bias edges are going to stretch. I would carefully take apart the strips. When the strips are all separate, I would run a line of stay stitching (just shy of the seam allowance) down each side of the strip, coaxing the bias edges to come back together. I do this by nudging the bias edge before the needle towards it with my stiletto as I sew. Once the strips are all stay stitched I would put theirs back together alternating the direction in which each row is sewn.
They look like lovely French Braid strips and are well worth fixing. You could also add sashing as others have mentioned to stabilize the bias edges. Good Luck!
They look like lovely French Braid strips and are well worth fixing. You could also add sashing as others have mentioned to stabilize the bias edges. Good Luck!
#12
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#13
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#14
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My one and only French braid had a similar problem. I used sashing but before then it kept stretching out of shape. If I make one again I will stay stitch the sides, being very careful about the bias.
#17
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Location: Florida
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When I made a French braid mine did the same thing due to the bias edges. I took apart the rows and put in a sashing strip between them. Measure carefully to make certain you end up with the same length of strips.
#19
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Location: howell, Mi
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I took a class a few years ago and the instructor stressed to keep the bands flat and do not hang or drape the parts until all assembled and quilted. Because of the bias edges it is very likely to get wonky. I think the best bet is to block the quilt as everyone suggests and next time sew the rows in opposite directions. Good luck.
Sue
Sue
#20
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Wisconsin
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I made a French braid - California king size, with 7 braids. I did not have any twisting problem. I started with a triangle from a 12" square, and used 8" lengths the fabric for the braids from a jelly roll. I did not have any bias edges that way and I trimmed the top and bottom square. I also placed sashing between the braids (needed the additional width) and trimmed off the points. Send me a PM and I can explain more if you don't understand what I am saying. That being said, though, I do not know how you can fix what you have, as mine was done differently from the beginning.
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03-24-2012 09:26 AM