Did I use the "wrong" side?
 

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?

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.

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

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?



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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!

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)!!!"

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.

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

I say only fix it if it bothers you!

I would fix it, because it's going to bug you forever and it's the first thing you'll see every time you look at it. That said, I love your color and pattern choices. It's going to be beautiful.

If the problem block is on the back of the quilt, it may not matter too much once the quilting is done. This is a beautiful backing you made...it is is gorgeous!!!

It does seem like a lot of difference to me . I wouldn't think any kona cotton would have any difference in front side and back side. I kown a lot of fabrice are not printed so the dyes are the same front and back, but usually there is enough difference that you would know right away if you were piecing them wrong.
I would take it apart and resew, buy maybe first just to get that top edge down next to the other on and see if there really is that much difference.

That is an easy fix. If it bothers you, take it out and replace it. If it is not offensive to you, just act like you intended it to be that way

There is a right side and "the other side." It on the back and doesn't make any difference in my way of thinking.

I sure wouldn't take it out. I actually like it. It is all different. why not?

I would take the whole top row off, take the sides off and totally resew it. It doesn't work for me that it'll go away and I'll forget about it or "don't tell anyone - they won't notice it." Sorry, I know and if I worked hard enough on the quilt to make it right I don't want someone not to notice the work I did! I left a mistake on a quilt and I remember it - oh, boy, do I remember it. NEVER AGAIN! If it takes an hour out of your day, so what! You make a mistake, you right it and the hour is over!!!!!! The only time I will excuse a mistake that I have made is when I notice it after the whole quilt is totally done. Then I kick myself around the room a few times and say "Never Again." MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!! Been up since 4:00 AM getting ready for company and enjoying every minute of it!!!!! Baking, cooking, setting tables, putting down the Christmas carpet!!! We won it!!!!! Santa Claus - really sweet. Kids like it, Bess (the wonder dog loves it and we love it - have it out for two days a year (24-25) since 1989! Another tradition. Stollen is rising on top of the grate and still have to run to the store! Typical day at our house. Edie

i would leave it alone. Because of it's location in the center, and your use of solid blocks, it looks like a deliberate choice of colors/fabrics. I would not have looked at it said "Mistake". I would have thought it was a deliberate and well thought out fabric placement decision. Your decision is what will make you happy. If it will bug you, re-do it. Sometimes those unplanned things in a quilt end up being the best element. Nice choice of colors!

I just had a similar problem in a 1930's quilt - was so glad the top was together, but noticed one of the flower applique blocks in the center was sideways! It didn't take long to "unstitch" the block and sew it back in the correct way. If it bothers you, fix it. But it really doesn't look bad the way it is.

In MHO, I'd leave it as part of the "design." It looks like a Piet Mondrian design. :thumbup:

It looks like you might like contemporary quilts and if so, the middle piece top row is perfect. I like the shading and it looks like you meant to do this. As a matter of fact, I'd take this "mistake" and use it as an exercise in creating another solid quilt. Find the different shades and incorporate right and wrong side as an exercise in design.

I'll have to start w/ that I'd have to fix it because it would bother me. More important is for you to decide how you feel.

If you take it out to turn it over, lay it out, put the piece the "right" way and step back and look at it to make sure you're getting the look that you are wanting before sewing it back in.

Secondly - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the inspiration for me to use in the back of a quilt that I am finishing. The quilt top wound up longer than I had originally thought, and i don't have enough backing. This gives me an idea of something to do instead of just adding strips in the middle... Thanks again!!

I personally would fix it! it is a really easy fix- just rip out the seams around the block and re-sew. unless the quilt is too big then just rip out the row. turn the block around then resew. Really should not take too much time. It must be bothering you since you shared it with us.

I hate taking things apart once they're sewn. It looks fine - it's an original design.

I think it works well with the rest of the backing. I actually think it makes it look modern. It's placement is perfect! It's just a tad darker than the other background colors. I would make my backgrounds look like that on purpose!! JMHO!!!

my MIL taught me how to sew years ago. I learned that the seam ripper was your best friend and that "ANYTHING WORTH DOING ,IS WORTH DOING RIGHT" (her words). I would have to rip it out and do it right. That is just my Mil Ingrained OCD

What is right is what you like. If it is going to bother you, take it out. I would leave it as to me, it belongs with the other separate blocks below it.

Tartan - that's what I do as well. If there is any question as to which side is which, after I determine the side I want, I mark the reverse side with chalk.

Marysewfun

It won't be very hard to fix and you will always know that you should have and it will bug you!!! Ask me how I know this

Wow! All I'll say is I would love to see the top! The backing is lovely. :-) Can you take another pic? Laura

I'm still convinced it's cut on the wrong grain line (i.e., not the same as, meaning perpendicular to, the others). If that's so, removing it and turning it over won't make any difference at all...none, nada, zip...only a matching grain piece will appear the same color. I have 7 shades of Kona gray, they all act that way...as do all the other colors. Perhaps the OP will be back after the holiday and let us know her decision and the outcome. :)

IMHO from looking at the picture I like the looks of it. It looks like that is part of the design. I would leave it. I like it that way. Hope everyone has a Very Merry Christmas and a happy sewing New Year.

I agree with Laura and ghostrider.......I think it is in the grain and ripping and resewing will not help. Take a picture of the "wrong side" of the backing and compare. AND..........the back is gorgeous!!! I love pieced backs, good work! and it makes me want to see the front!!!

Flip the block over to make sure that's the problem before you start ripping! Lay the other side of the dark block against the right side to see if it matches!

Update!
 

Thank you so much for the feedback, everyone! I'm so relieved that I'm not the only person who has had this problem. In response to some of the replies here...

1. The Steel fabric on my back is not all from the same bolt. I made purchases from two separate locations, about 2 months apart.

2. I flipped the problem block over (without changing the orientation), and the colors in my top row appear to be the same now. I had some trouble resewing that one block, so I ended up redoing the entire row. Even though I marked the wrong side, I couldn't figure out how to position the fabric so that the seam ended up on the correct side. :D

3. When working with solid fabrics, how can I be sure that I'm consistently cutting along the right grain line?

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the sweet comments about the back! I'm happy with how it turned out, and I can't wait to start quilting! Here's a peak at the front: