Blocking
 

I am going to be blocking a queen size for (hopefully) a fair and have a few questions. I've never done it before.

Do you block BEFORE you bind? (I've seen videos both ways)
Do you trim the quilt square before you block?
Once you get the quilt wet, how do you get the majority of the moisture out of it, before blocking?
How wet do you get it? I've seen video where they dunk the whole thing in a tub and I've seen others who have just used a spray mister....
I shudder at the thought of dunking my quilt.

Thanks, Watson

Hi Watson, newbie here so I don't know but I am awaiting the experts, I am familiar with blocking needlepoint projects but never heard of blocking quilts........and that looks like a very handsome horse on your avatar.

I have been lucky that my quilts almost always turn out to be even. The square ones are square and the sides and top and bottom are the same measurements on the rectangles. Maybe I am wrong, but have not found a need to block. Is your quilt uneven? Though I don't qualify as experienced, I would think how aggressive you get with wetting the quilt would depend on how uneven the quilt is to begin with. I am anxious to read the advice of the experts. I am sure I have a lot to learn about blocking.

I think you would want to do it after binding, since the very act of binding can warp the edges if you're not careful.

Like Genden stated it would depend on how ( wonky) your quilt is which method would be best. I've always managed to trim as I go, keep everything square, then I trim & square up after quilting before binding. I haven't had to block any quilts other than a small wall hanging that really ( wonked) on me one time...that one I misted with a spray bottle but had to really saturate it to pull it into shape. Took 4 days to dry. Learned lots from that one & don't make those mistakes any more.

I've never blocked large quilts and have absolutely no intention. LOL
But I like to block my wall-hangings because they hang flat.
I've read several blogs before blocking anything. I found Geta's
write-up very helpful. But there are others that I've used also.
http://cadouri-din-inima.blogspot.ca...r-binding.html
My blocking is very simple...wash...lay flat and square it up with
a long ruler and square until it looks good...put lots of pins where it
needs and let it dry. After it's dry I do the trimming and binding.
I also like to stitch all around my quilt before washing.
I don't usually pre-wash my fabrics so if I think one will bleed I
add a color catcher in the wash (using one of those lingerie bags).

Block it before you bind it. I just spritz it and give it room tto shrink while you block. Remember you can ease in some wonkeyness into the binding but not much because you will make puffers in the quilt, and the only way to get the puffers out after spritzing, shrinking and blocking is to more heavly quilt the puffers flat. Its best to sew 1/4 inch seams exactly or ttim as you go, and try to avoid sewing on the bias edges!

I suggest that you lay it out and assess how far off it is and where. You wrote that you don't want to dunk your quilt so do the least possible - misting with spray bottle or steam iron, then let dry. If that doesn't work go with incrementally more saturation.

Make sure you use rust-proof pins!!!

Is it necessary to block a finished quilt that lays flat and the opposite sides measure the same?

Sometimes a quilt can lay flat and opposite sides measure same but it will still hang
crooked...or have a wave. I don't see a point of blocking quilts that will be used
on a bed but if it's for show or to use as wall-hanging it just looks nicer to block.
JMHO.

Edit: I don't do shows but if I were I would block because they would be
hanging on a rod.

I tend to only block those quilts that will be hung either as a wallhanging or in a show--but I don't do big time shows, so even with local fair and guild show I sometimes don't block, especially if it's a bed quilt.

That being said, I will use a cork board to pin the smaller projects onto and with larger quilts, I will lay out a sheet of plastic on the basement carpet, and then pin the quilt to it (and carpet) and set a floor fan to aid with drying (I also run a dehumifer in basement in summer). I try to block with as little water as possible--so will use spray mist for most. Occasionally will put one into filled washing machine and then spin to get excess water out--but make sure you've done a seam around the whole outside first! I also have learned that it is much easier to block BEFORE you bind.
Even when I have worked to keep my quilt square, sometimes with heavier quilting, blocking is necessary to make it hang flat. Remember , besides pulling it to square, you can also "push" excess back into square.
Also, I know some think that you can just lay a square on the corners and check for it being "square"--but I know from time spent on a drafting table that a t-square will look square even when it isn't if there's not a solid, square edge to judge it from. For this reason, with larger quilts I always take measurements and square from that, not just laying a ruler down .

I have quilted since the early 80s and have never needed to block a quilt. Why do you feel the need to do this??

She wants to enter it in a show.

As Peckish said, I'm thinking of entering it in the county fair and I've been told that blocking it will make it hang smoother.
Having been working on it this morning and seeing how much I have left, I doubt it will be done in time, anyhow!

Watson

I have never block my quilts, but I vaguely remember seeing a video and tutorial by Sharon Schambers that she showed how to block one. She has several videos on you tube, you might check her site out. www.sharonschamersnetwork.com

If, bearisgray, everything is flat and even, I wouldn't block it. I do mist mine, measure like crazy, and pin with rustproof pins. After it is day, then, I sew 1/4" from the edge to secure the three layers and then attach the binding.