Easily wrinkled fabric
 

Hello,
I am working on a large quilt (king sized) made up of half square triangles (the finished blocks are 13 inches). I am using different brown fabrics and a cream colored fabric. The cream colored fabric wrinkles extremely easily. Each block was pressed before I pieced them together, but of course the cream fabric was wrinkled after I finished. I am looking for any tips and tricks to help get the wrinkles out. Should I press it all with an iron? Hand wash it? Should I worry about the wrinkles at all? Will they be noticeable after quilting? I plan on quilting it by hand and will be taking a hand quilting class later this month. Sorry for all the questions, I am fairly new to quilting as this is only the second quilt I have made and about four times the size of my first (it was a wall hanging)! :)

If the fabric is very annoying - and some are - I would use a different one.

If you are going to go through all this work - use a good/better quality fabric.

I am one of those that wash everything washable before cutting it. Washing might make the fabric behave better.

As far as the wrinkles being noticeable after the project is completed? I think most people would not notice one way or another. But - again - if the fabric is not pleasant to work with, find something else to use.

(Okay - I admit it - I am older and getting to the point of not wanting -or needing to - fight with uncooperative fabrics.)

Some fabrics do wrinkle more than others, and yours may wrinkle less after its first washing. (Sometimes fabrics with lots of sizing show wrinkles, but the sizing will be washed out.) I wouldn't worry about the wrinkles or try to get them out, because it's bound to wrinkle again while you're hand quilting it, unless you're doing it on a frame. Don't wash the unquilted top, because you will wind up with a mess.

I use Best Press or another spray starch from the grocery store when I press the fabric before cutting and as needed when pressing while piecing. And when pressing finished blocks. I guess you might say every step of the way:) But I also like what Dunster said, don't worry about the wrinkles at this point. Once you do the "sandwiching" and quilting it probably won't be a problem.

if you are not too far along, change fabric to higher quality. If its too late to change , follow suern3's advise

If changing fabrics is not an option - it wouldn't be for me after I've already started - then just starch the daylights out of it. Regardless if you've pre-washed your fabrics or not. I use liquid Sta-flo starch mixed at a 1:1 ratio - half starch; half water - and use a generic spray bottle from either the dollar store or a discount store.

I also suggest, when starching, press your fabric with an iron. While still warm, spray with the starch. Wait a minute or 3 to let the starch soak into the fabric and then press again with your hot iron. If the fabric is really thin and wrinkly, you may want to use a higher starch ratio such as 3/4 starch to 1/4 water. Lots of options when using a liquid starch. There are also other brands and may be available in the laundry aisle of your grocery store.

I usually light spray starch my fabric. If you are new to quilting, there are a lot of tricks of the trade. Try to buy the best quality of fabric you can afford.

I think you said your blocks are complete, or you are working on them, so replacing fabric doesn't seem to be an option. Question: how wrinkled is wrinkled? Remember it's cotton, and cotton does wrinkle.......the darker fabrics maybe not as much as the dye has stabilized, but the cream is near natural fiber color, so less bulk in the threads.....I personally would not starch, either lightly or cardboard stiff....just keep working on it, when the piecing is done and you are ready to sandwich for quilting, just press ad usual, and continue the process......when finished it will be lovely. Don't sweat the small things...it's not worth it.....

I have tried starching the fabric and then pressing, and that seems to help, but after reading your helpful comments I am not too worried about it. Thank you all for the advice!

I have used white distilled vinegar. Spritz some on let it set a few seconds then press.