How do you keep unassembled blocks from fraying during long-term projects?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The California Hills
Posts: 626
How do you keep unassembled blocks from fraying during long-term projects?
I am getting ready to start a quilt that will have over 6000 blocks (about half of those are HST, 20% 9 patches plus a bunch of 3 strip sets to make short and long rail blocks). I expect this to take a while and won't rush it.
As I amass my blocks (25 3.5 inch blocks will make up a 15 inch finished block but I want to make all the individual blocks before I do any construction of the main blocks), I'm wondering what I can do to keep them from fraying?? I am using medium dark florals with white as my back ground fabric and I can already see a nightmare brewing with dark colored frayed fabric strand. I will be starching but the starch feeling wears off pretty quickly it seems.
What do you do in these instances?? Thanks.
As I amass my blocks (25 3.5 inch blocks will make up a 15 inch finished block but I want to make all the individual blocks before I do any construction of the main blocks), I'm wondering what I can do to keep them from fraying?? I am using medium dark florals with white as my back ground fabric and I can already see a nightmare brewing with dark colored frayed fabric strand. I will be starching but the starch feeling wears off pretty quickly it seems.
What do you do in these instances?? Thanks.
#3
First of all, minimal handling. Secondly, starch the fabric before cutting (but then, you said you already do that). This is what I do to avoid handling the cut pieces too much: As I cut the pieces, I stack on something that can be used as a tray to transport the pieces from place to place. (I cut on my dining table and carry to the sewing room where I lay them on a table.) I keep the heavy cardboard squares that come in packages of scrapbooking supplies. These make wonderful trays. I also use them for laying out my block before I begin to assemble them.
Oopos! Seems like we had the same ideas.
Oopos! Seems like we had the same ideas.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,901
When I work on a large quilt that will take time, I assemble the components to make several blocks (say 1/4th the quilt) and place them in plastic dishpans. I have four that I use as temporary storage. They stack into each other so the fabric pieces stay neat. I assemble the blocks 1/4 at a time also, just in case I decide not to make a large quilt. I don't assemble the full quilt till I have all the blocks made, so if I run out of any fabric, I can mix it in one of the batches and around the quilt.
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,140
As others have said, once cut, handle as little as possible.
I use numbered paper plates with the block numbers written on the bottom. I stack the plates on top of one another & then put in either plastic Ziplock or fabric bags (the fabric bags sheet sets come in work great).
You could always soak them in liquid starch solution, but I seem to do fine with just heavy spray starch. Also, on rare occasions, I will pink the edges. They even sell 45mm pinking blades for rotary cutters.
I use numbered paper plates with the block numbers written on the bottom. I stack the plates on top of one another & then put in either plastic Ziplock or fabric bags (the fabric bags sheet sets come in work great).
You could always soak them in liquid starch solution, but I seem to do fine with just heavy spray starch. Also, on rare occasions, I will pink the edges. They even sell 45mm pinking blades for rotary cutters.
#6
l hope you sew up a test block from scraps before completing all this cutting & partial assembly! l keep mine in plastic project boxes ( Michael's), l use the 13x13 x3" ( aprox) , but use whatever size suits you. Fray check any really bad ones, but starching & little handling as others have mentioned works.Sometimes l keep sections of my partials on my big design wall.
Are you using good quality fabric? l seldom have that much trouble unless it's a lose weave, or if it's a poly/cotton blend.
Are you using good quality fabric? l seldom have that much trouble unless it's a lose weave, or if it's a poly/cotton blend.
Last edited by stitch678; 08-18-2015 at 05:29 PM.
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 275
I just avoid handling more than absolutely necessary. I've had a OBW as an on and off again project for almost 6 years. It gets dragged out 3-4 times a year and I finish a row and then put it away and there is no sign of any fraying at all
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