Rick Rack and lace used in/on quilts.
 

I have accumulated much rick rack and lace over the years and would like to incorporate one or the other or both into some kind of quilt or quilts. Does anyone have any ideas for me? Pictures would be even better. Thanks for any help you might give or for pointing me in the right direction.

I Googled "quilts with rickrack" and the clicked on images to find these:
http://www.google.com/search?biw=192...GMTtygH3sYHYDQ

Did the same with lace and came up with these:
http://www.google.com/search?biw=192...w=1920&bih=979

I have never used rick rack in a quilt because I have been concerned that: (1) if I stitch down the middle, aren't the wavy edges likely to curl? and (2) doesn't rick rack shrink?

I've seen rick rack used as stems for appliqué flowers. But if I was using it I'd probably try sewing it over some seams to add structural interest.

Exactly how much embellishment are we talking here? !!

google 'crazy quilts' some of them are stunning - traditionally made with any scrap of fabric all mixed together and the seams joined with rickrac, lace and all sorts of embellishments

Thanks for the help. Some of those ideas were great! I will let you know what I come up with!

A friend made a stunning quilt for her daughter's wedding. All unbleached muslin, and wide (2" or 2 1/2") heavy lace like the kind that looks crocheted. She did candlewicking flowers inside 12" squares and used the lace on the sashing and borders (just fit, and sewed down the middle). I think it took alot of lace, and it was all the same kind/color of lace, but what a gorgeous quilt!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]423549[/ATTACH]

Don't know if you can tell ... but I added rick-rack to this baby quit.

I have some large rick rack that I intend to use on the seams of a quilt made of squares. I soaked it and dryed it to help prevent any shrinkage after it's applied.

I made Esther the Easter Chicken using ric rac between center and border and hung with ric rac, so cute, but it is a wall quilt and probably won't be washed much. I have seen craZY quilts made with lace and other embelishments that were beautiful.

I made this I Spy for a great nephew using jumbo rickrack between the blocks.
I didn't take this photo, sorry it's not straight on.


Jan in VA

I've used Rick Rack in the borders. It makes turning the edge down easier. My quilting friend always frown when I have Rick Rack on a quilt top.....

How do you guys sew the rick rack on Just stitch down the middle or zig zag or what?

I would wash and dry the lace or rick rack before using it in a quilt. I used to sew clothes for my two daughters when they were small and the rick rack would shrink and curl up a lot.

I've seen rick rack used for stems of flowers on applique quilts. Looked really cute. In fact I have one on my to do list. I also saw a Grandmother's Fan quilt that used lace around the edges of the fans.

That is SO cute, Joellyn! Love that quilt!

Lots of good ideas so far. If I do try it, I will be sure and wash first. I really like the idea of using it on the border edge where fabrics meet. I think I will zig-zag stitch it on though... or sew on both sides???

I would just soak the rick rack in hot water until the water cooled - and then roll it in a towel and hang it on a rack or lay it on a towel to dry. Not sure what it would do if put in a dryer - but I think it might curl.

I know the older rickrack would shrink - there was always that pucker where it had been sewn on!

I always do a zig zag when sewing down my rick rack. I don't like the way it curls up if I don't. I do the triple zig zag, 3 stitches across, 3 stitches back. I've practiced on scraps to get the width and length settings just right, then I wrote those on a piece of tape and attached to my sewing machine so I will remember the next time I do it.

I once used the large rick-rack when making a reversible quilt and after sewing the borders on, I turned it over the it had not lined up as hoped. So on the seam line on the back, I hand sewed the rick-rack over the seam line and the faux pas was known to none..........
no was was wise to this error and thought that the trim on the quilt was done intentionally.

Ric Rac
 

I just bought several hundred yards of R/R. I use it for flower stems. pillow seams, dec trim etc. These days, r/r is usually polyester or in my case nylon. If you keep the dryer heat and iron temp low it shouldn't curl, shrink or melt. Watch the vintage r/r (ebay etc). That may be cotton. Check the content-if it's synthetic it should be fine.

I don't think the new rick rack shrinks but if you have a store of old cotton rick rack it needs to be washed in hot water and dried in the dryer so that it is done shrinking or it will shrivel up something awful. I have lots of rick rack too and also lace. I did a fan quilt with gathered lace along the edges of the fan and the base of the fan and it is beautiful.

Thanks for the advice! I bought a sew box for 10.00 that was full of sewing stuff and lots of rick rac and I was wondering what to do with it. I love the idea as flower stems. Thank you for letting me know that I should wash it first. I also like the idea of sewing the edges like an applique

If the whole r/r will be exposed-down the middle the sewing goes. If it's going to be half-exposed, if it's embedded in a seam then it's a little trickier. I follow this tut by Wendy Gratz. Comes out perfect. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKnUKfyNtvc

I love the yo-yo & rick- rack quilt from the google photos. Very cute

AWESOME video...that would look great on a table runner.

I've washed ric rac in the washer. I just use the smaller lingerie bags and wash in warm water with Woolite on delicate or handwash cycle. Then toss into the dryer for about 10 minutes. I use a cool setting on my iron with a pressing cloth for the really delicate lace.

That is beautiful Joellyn!

Here is a vest my Mom made me several years ago. It was a crazy quilt. She said she would never do a crazy quilt again! LOL I requested it. I liked the crazy quilt pattern. I still wear it now and again.

The last rick rack I purchased was 100% polyester, which did not shrink or curl. I sewed it into the binding. Sorry, if it is hard to see in the attached photo.[ATTACH=CONFIG]423698[/ATTACH]

SStems for appliqued flowers, trim for Sunbonnet Sue, all kinds of embelishment. Just try out different things

Crazy Quilts!

Hi, Some time back I had some pretty print but way too bright, enter curtain fabric. The design was only 6" squares with tram tracks and cornerstones. I cut the lace to cover the squares and used softer colours in the rest of the quilt. My elderly friend was very pleased with it.

I have been doing some research on rick rack and you can make some beautiful flowers with rick rack. I was thining a wall quilt since you would not be able to wash it. If you search on utube you will see some video. Very, Very easy to make.

I made a Sunbonnet Sue quilt for my grandaughter and used rick rack and lace on all the bonnets and dresses and it turned out really cute...

And there are always Crazy Quilts. You could add anything and everything you wanted.