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Marking Patterns on Quilts

Marking Patterns on Quilts

Old 02-27-2021, 05:48 PM
  #21  
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SusieQOH, That's why I hope others would talk about what they do when laundering their quilts. Many of us, myself included, are just starting out, and haven't gotten to that point. We're just trying to figure out how these fancy sewing machines work, and how to put things together.

Eventually, probably within a few months, I will have to wash the quilt on my sofa, and the table runner I made recently. I live in the high desert of southern California where you can dust in the morning, and by the afternoon it looks like you never dusted at all. I live in a 1970's house which is basically just a larger cabin (750 sq ft). So the construction techniques aren't like they are nowadays. Nothing I do slows down that dust, so everything left outside of boxes or plastic bags gets coated, and has to be washed to get rid of the dust embedded in it.
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Old 02-27-2021, 06:24 PM
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I usually have laundering in mind while I'm making a bed quilt or a throw - I want it to stand up to use and the necessary cleaning. I use only good quality fabric and strong thread, 15-16 stitches to the inch, I'm careful about seam allowances, press seams to the side whenever possible and I quilt the heck out of them when they're done.

When a quilt is finished, I use the giant front-loaders at the laundromat for big quilts - my new "water conserving" washing machine won't even get a quilt completely wet, sometimes - even on the "Deep Water Wash" or the "Bedding" setting. 🙄

When I had a front-loader, it was big and it worked great for all but the biggest quilts - I washed them on the normal cycle with regular detergent, softener and color catchers. I dried them on the normal cycle on the dryer.

My thinking is that I want to subject the quilt to the same kind of laundering as they're likely to get in their new homes.

Antique/vintage quilts are a whole 'nother story.

Everyone is different and you'll find the system that you like best.
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Old 02-27-2021, 06:54 PM
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thepolyparrot. So many thanks. I will take all of that, and try to apply it to my next quilt. My only problem might be when purchasing fabric. I never see anything that tells me how good a certain fabric is; no thread count, nor anything else that might be indicative of the quality.

I will have to take my quilts to the coin op laundry instead of using my top loaders. About three years ago I finally had the money to put in new plumbing, an electrical setup, gray water catch basin (didn't want my septic system involved with the washing waste water), and shelter for those front loaders.

I will have to find out what colour catchers are, and purchase some. First time I've heard of them was in this thread. For laundry stuff, I have to purchase unscented stuff, as I get sneezing fits and watery eyes with anything that has strong scents in them. Guess that's a problem when you have an extremely good sense of smell.

Lots of good information coming in here. Thanks again.
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Old 02-28-2021, 12:16 AM
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In my opinion, color catchers are a waste of time and money, especially if you have an "efficient" (snort) front loader. I read all the time about how people wash things with color catchers over and over and over, and the fabric still bleeds. Just put it in a top loader FULL of hot water and a teaspoon or so of Dawn, let it sit overnight, then drain and spin. If you don't have a top loader, use your bathtub. The fabric needs plenty of hot water and front loaders don't check that box.
More detail and how-to here: https://www.colorwaysbyvicki.com/sav...g-quilt.html#/
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Old 03-01-2021, 08:52 AM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by CaleyH View Post
thepolyparrot. So many thanks. I will take all of that, and try to apply it to my next quilt. My only problem might be when purchasing fabric. I never see anything that tells me how good a certain fabric is; no thread count, nor anything else that might be indicative of the quality.
This is a question that is hard for a beginner because fabric quality is something you learn over time. There are some big name brands out there that are very good, so I would suggest you start with those to feel your way with quality. I notice the quality of fabrics so much when they are side by side. For example, so much of the quilting cotton at Joanns fails in the face of higher end quilting fabrics. At the same time, I am just not sure every quilting project needs to be the highest quality whatever. Sometimes you just want a cute lap quilt and get on your merry way.
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Old 03-01-2021, 01:07 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by CaleyH View Post
SusieQOH, That's why I hope others would talk about what they do when laundering their quilts. Many of us, myself included, are just starting out, and haven't gotten to that point. We're just trying to figure out how these fancy sewing machines work, and how to put things together.

Eventually, probably within a few months, I will have to wash the quilt on my sofa, and the table runner I made recently. I live in the high desert of southern California where you can dust in the morning, and by the afternoon it looks like you never dusted at all. I live in a 1970's house which is basically just a larger cabin (750 sq ft). So the construction techniques aren't like they are nowadays. Nothing I do slows down that dust, so everything left outside of boxes or plastic bags gets coated, and has to be washed to get rid of the dust embedded in it.
Wow, that does sound like a challenge. Ask away as we were all new quilters at some point! I'm still learning things and I've been quilting a long time
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Old 03-01-2021, 02:07 PM
  #27  
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I use the blue water eraseable pens and they always work great however don't try to use them after the quilt is sandwiched with the batting/backing. They will sometimes bleed through and not want to go away. But, if you mark your top ahead of time, they are great. Just spritz with water and they are gone.

As to washing...others have given good advice. I will say that if you don't like the "crinkle" look then lay the quilt flat to dry, don't put it in the dryer. I've had good success with this. Also, pre-wash and machine dry your fabrics.

Colour catchers catch any dye that comes from the quilt in the wash into the water and then it doesn't settle back on your quilt. It isn't to stop a quilt from bleeding, just to catch loose dye in the water. They are available at most big box and grocery stores.

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Old 03-01-2021, 02:29 PM
  #28  
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[QUOTE=CaleyH;8463670]I was wondering what method of marking patterns on quilts are used. I've found that I don't do well with using plastic templates, but do well by marking the quilt top, and then slowly following those markings to do the quilt process.

I am guessing chalk is probably the preferred method, but chalk is very difficult to remove from the fabric, unless you wash things after quilting. I have a big fear of doing all this hard piecing, basting and quilting, only to have the washing machine tear up the quilt into shreds and pieces, and on top of all of that, shrink the whole thing into an ugly sight..

Does this mean you don't think people wash quilts?? I can't tell you how many times my quilts from childhood were washed and they were hand pieced. I'm 53 years old and they still look great. I don't understand the washing phobia? Please explain how a washer would ruin a quilt when it doesn't ruin your clothes which are stitched as well.
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Old 03-01-2021, 03:07 PM
  #29  
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Someone has apparently thinks I am against washing quilts. I didn't say that. I first started this thread as how to mark quilts, and what people used. It went into washing, but I thought that was OK.

I said I was afraid to wash things because of what might happen. As a novice quilt maker, I don't know anything from start to finish about how things are done. Washing is a big mystery to me, as I haven't washed one. I only speculated at what might happen, not stated fact.

Those who responded put me on track to understand how things are done when washing a quilt, and the results, if you've made your quilt properly. Since my first quilt wasn't that well put together, I am cringing at what might happen to it.

And no, I never said people shouldn't wash quilts. You've got to wash things to keep them clean. I just dread my first couple of quilt washings being disasters after all that work

Maybe this thread should close, as I do not want to get into something that causes anyone to get upset. So this is probably my last comment, here in this thread.
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Old 03-01-2021, 04:42 PM
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My comment wasn't made because I was mad or upset. I just didn't understand why you would think a quilt would be shredded or fall apart. They are very strong.
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