Tartan

If you used wider seams and pressed to the side and not pressed the seams open, it should be okay. It also helps to put in more quilting then the package calls for to prevent the layers from moving when it is washed. If you are concerned about that seam, you could stitch in the ditch down it and it wouldn't detract from the other quilting.

Prism99

I think that if, as Tartan mentions, you pressed the seams to the side, it should be okay. Keep in mind that vintage quilts were hand pieced with a single thread. They stayed together largely because of close quilting, often 2" apart.

The gray fabric isn't a knit, by any chance, is it?

Edit: I could be biased because I don't think it's a big deal to hand stitch an opened seam back together. But I might be in the minority on that.

Lauravanny

Yes it Is a knit! I asked in another reply above if that might be a benefit since it is interlock (t-shirt) which typically doesn't fray. This is a memorial quilt made from the shirts of a friend's 16 year old son who passed, so I Really don't want it to fall apart!! I've never worked with apparel before so I don't know what to expect from these fabrics! It has been a challenge. The other fabrics used are thermals and woven flannel.

cathyvv

Suggest that you check the width of the seam before you quilt it. If it is less than 1/4" than sew the seam to the 1/4" width. You don't have to take the too narrow seam out first. If the fabric is shredding - happened to me once, even with the 1/4" seam, LQS fabric, too - do a narrow zig zag down the seam to prevent more shredding.

I make these suggestions because I am not sure that quilting down the seam will make up for a too narrow seam or seams shredding apart. And it is 1000% easier to fix seams before you quilt than after.

Just saw your response to Prism99. I have never made a quilt using knit shirts, so my suggestions may be invalid - except that it is easier to fix seems before you quilt.

Prism99

I really like what you've done with this quilt. It looks very comforting as well as very reminiscent of a young man. It is quite a challenge using all of those different fabrics.

If you ever sew with knit fabrics again, you would be better off using a very narrow zigzag stitch. This is because knit fabrics stretch and a narrow zigzag allows the stitching to stretch a little too. A zigzag would have given your seams more flexibility. However, because the gray is interlock, it's probably not as serious as with other knit fabrics. This is because interlock is soft and can flex a lot around the stitching line. With many stretchy knits, if you sew a straight line and then put stress on the seam (for example, by pulling both ends of the stitching line), the thread will break because the fabric will stretch while the seam does not.

I still think you will be okay without additional quilting. The good thing about interlock is that, if the seam does open up, it's pretty simple to hand sew it back together by hand. Because it doesn't fray, you will still have a seam allowance to tuck in.

If you have scraps left of the interlock fabric, you could create a test strip to kind of test the seam. I would seam two strips of the interlock, sandwich it with some leftover batting and backing, and sew quilting lines 2" apart just as in your original. Then twist and pull on the strip every which way to see if the seam holds up against stress.

If the thread in the seam snaps, you might want to consider adding some quilting. I wouldn't add another line in the same direction, but maybe add some perpendicular lines (running east-west to your current north-south) to cross that long seam. They could even zig and zag around blocks, staying in the gray interlock. This would strengthen the entire quilt and still be in keeping with the masculine nature of the quilt. In the photo above, I could see a quilting line coming from the right, following in the seam to the middle of the next gray strip, then proceeding on to the left. You wouldn't have to do this in every block; you could skip some. Or maybe not zig zag, but keep moving up when you encounter a block, making them long zig zag diagonals. Then another line similar, starting a couple of blocks down. This would be a modern type of quilting design that would not detract from what you already have.

Lauravanny

This is a great idea! I was kind of considering doing this but was a little worried it might not be representative of real-world wear and tear. But you Really seem to know your stuff, so since you recommend it I'm definitely going to try it!

Thank you for the compliment! Masculine/modern is exactly what I was going for. I added a couple more pictures. If you look closely you can see where some stretching while quilting has warped otherwise straight lines. An unfortunate but difficult toprevent side effect of working with apparel fabrics! That is why I chose apattern with intentionally wonky blocks.. it hides my flaws pretty well!

I also want to thank you So Much for all the time you havetaken (and everyone else too!) to help me out! I am feeling much morecomfortable with this quilt now! Also, as you point out, if any threads were tobreak, I will not have a hard time fixing since it won’t fray (unlike my otherpoor quilt that was ruined)!

Dolphyngyrl

Decrease your stitch length when piecing

Geri B

What size is this quilt? On some garment fabric, like in t-shirt quilts, it is advised to back the fabric with a non woven fusible lit weight interfacing....in the piecing process, might be something to remember if asked to do another memory piece.....
i think what you have done in the quilt design is sufficient to keep the integrity of the piecing in tact.

Prism99

Wow! That is such a wonderful quilt! It really captures the essence of a 16yo young man. After seeing your entire quilting pattern, I really think that is enough quilting. I wouldn't add more. When you present the quilt to the family, I would give them instructions on how to treat it gently. It can be used to drape over a couch, wrap up in, even make forts with, but they wouldn't want to routinely sit on it. Washer should not have a central agitator, wash cycle should be short with cool water, and remove from dryer before completely dry. Never hang wet on a clothesline. And return it to you for repairs right away if they should see a seam coming apart or other problem. Earlier repair is much easier and better for the quilt.

Honestly, though, I think the quilt will be fine as is. What a wonderful gift to the family!

RedGarnet222

I just understood what your quilt content is. I am sorry. This is like making a t-shirt quilt. I did that Once. as a favor to the diabetes association in my area for their office with cut out t shirt fronts as the blocks from past events. I had to stabilize the t shirt from behind with a knit interfacing to stabilize the block before piecing it. It was way too stretchy to sew without it. I used regular cotton fabric for the sashings and border. When it was all assembled, I quilted the wall hanging with a stippled all over design and I echoed around the images. It had 80/20 black batting and a cotton backing. That made for a heavy finish, but a finish none the less. I swore never again.

I suppose what I am trying to say is, it is best to stick with regular cotton fabric. The knit is hard to work with. I work with polyester spandex blends for summer tops. I love it as a garment. But a quilt? No thanks too much work and weight for my poor wrists on my domestic machine for quilting.

By the way, use a knit or a zig zag stitch to quilt with or you will have popped out stitches from the weight of it in the wash or pulling on it. I suppose the batting will stabilize it somewhat. At least I hope so for all of the nice work you did on it.