Mari Makes

I pieced the back of my first quilt today. I used solid colors and because I couldn't tell which side was the front and which side was the back, I didn't pay much attention to the "right" and "wrong" sides. When I stepped back to admire my work, I noticed that one of the blocks is "backwards" and it's a much darker shade than the rest of the back (I used Kona Cotton in Steel).

Do I need to take the row apart, flip the block over and resew it? If this was caused by ironing, will the color return to normal after I wash my finished quilt?

GingerK

If it was caused by ironing, it should have returned to its original colour after it cooled. So what's wrong with having a 'unique' look to the back of your quilt? In my opinion, if it is going to bug you every time you see it, open it and 'fix' it. If you really don't care all that much, let the difference grow on you and tell anyone who notices, that you planned it that way.

fayzer

A picture might help us see what you are talking about.

Mari Makes

Thanks for your help, Ginger. I read this article (http://www.quiltingboard.com/resources/article-89.html) and it said:

"... if your solid is a dark color such as black you want to iron it on the wrong side so the shine from ironing is not on the right side."

Does washing fabric remove the shine from ironing?

I'm sorry for all of the dumb questions. This is my first quilt and my first time sewing, so I don't know anything about fabric or how to correct problems other than completely redoing sections.

Here is a picture of the back... the middle block in the top row is the one I'd like to fix. Can I just rip that block out and resew it, or would it be better to redo that entire row?



[ATTACH=CONFIG]383716[/ATTACH]

irishrose

Now is a good time to fix before it is quilted. Yes, you can take out as little stitching as is necessary - just the sides and the bottom plus two inches on either side. Sew the sides back in first after you flip the offending block (make sure it's okay - you have no idea how many of us make the same mistake over again), then sew the opening across the bottom of the block including the extra. Your seam ripper will become a good friend as you continue in your quilting. Be sure to post a picture when you are finished. We love pictures!

Tartan

Check to make sure the other side is the one you want outward and then mark the wrong side with a piece of chalk. Why mark it? It looks so close in colour that you might sew it in wrong again. As bad as taking out a block once, it is even worse when you have to do it again and again....

hperttula123

If it's bothering you, you should take it out and turn it around. If it doesn't bother you too much, I'd leave it. You could have "done it on purpose(wink wink)!!!"

ghostrider

Before you take it apart, turn it 90º and look at it from that side, take a picture to compare if that helps. Does the one that is darker now look lighter than the others? Assuming all the Steel is from the same bolt, the color difference could simply be caused by the difference in grain (lengthwise vs crosswise cutting). Kona cotton is yarn dyed so there should be no difference at all between front and back, but light does reflect differently depending on the direction of the grain and it can be very noticeable in solids.

leatheflea

Humm...leave it call it a humility block.

mighty

I say only fix it if it bothers you!