Fabric Distortion
 

Has anyone had a problem with Joann's Symphony Broadcloth losing it's shape? (If I can explain this without confusing the issue) I'm working on a pattern, Card Trick, that uses lots of HSTs and QSTs. I start out with a perfectly straight square, cut it, still nice straight edges, but when I sew the halves together, I end up with a curved or bowed edge on the broadcloth side. It's making me crazy. The other half of the triangles don't lose their shape and the fabric in them is the regular quilting cotton. I've tried loosening the tension and sewing very slowly. This happened on another quilt I was working on and I ended up cutting all the broadcloth squares almost a half inch larger and then squaring them it. It's such a waste of fabric that way. I've just started this and only cut enough for one square, so starting over is not a problem. It's just that I have 5 yards of this fabric and hate to waste it.
Thanks

what a shame! I personally haven't had a problem but have not really used it that way. Have you tried starching it "severely" before cutting? Just a thought. Good luck, hope someone has an answer for you.

I have had problems with the Symphony the last few times I used it in a sewing project. I don't know if it's the tightness of the weave or because it is polyester/cotton blend or a combination of the two. It tends to pucker when I sew with it even if I lengthy my stitches. I used to like it because it would wrinkle less when making simple gathered curtains, but anymore I tend to stick with 100% cotton.

Did you pre wash?

I wouldn't use anything in a quilt that wasn't 100% cotton. I have never used that fabric before because I didn't like the feel of it. A famous quilter Harriet Hargrave once said: Buy the best fabric that you can afford.

If you have had this problem before, I wouldn't use this fabric again. Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton use to be the standard for solid colors but now Moda and Timeless Treasure have come out with solid colors. Hancock's of Paducah carries both Kona Cotton and TT with a wide selection of colors. And shipping is NOW $5.00!! Thanks goodness a reputable store has dropped the cost of shipping fabrics !!

If it has poly in it as someone mentioned, it will not "work" the same as 100% cotton. I tried doing a quild charity kit with poly squares in it and almost threw up my hands. Hated it.

I spray starch the broadcloth before I cut and usually only for foundation piecing like crazy quilts. I hate when it distorts because then I have puckers. But always starch some way.

I would heavily starch the broadcloth before cutting the squares. This will stabilize the fabric when sewing on the bias. Spray starch might help, but I always just go immediately to the heaviest starching solution if I anticipate any distortion using a fabric. My method is to mix a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, "paint" this onto the yardage using a large wall painting brush, allow a couple of minutes to make sure the fibers have absorbed the max amount of starch, throw in dryer, then iron with steam. This works really well on flannel too when you need accurate piecing.

I hate that stuff. I ended up purchasing some on accident because my dumb butt didn't read the labels and was in a rush.

Thankfully I only bought half yards but I stashed it away from my quilting fabrics. I'm using it for some nook and kindle cases because it involves loose measurements so I don't have to stress over it being wonky.

If your determined to use it in the quilt starch starch starch and don't use an omg hot iron cuz it will melt.

starch the fabric well... bias edges tend to stretch easily- starched and the broadcloth on the bottom with the other cotton on top may help (or the other way around if that way is causing the problem) a nice new sharp needle, I would not adjust the tension but I would lengthen the stitch length a little bit--- many of joann's fabrics have a bit looser weave than fabrics you will find in a fabric/quilt shop...so, pre-washing, a good starching/pressing will help tighten the weave and add some stability.

You might try the way to make triangles where you sew across the diagonal of squares, then cut them apart. You won't have to deal with bias edge triangles that way.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...s-t141047.html

I am not happy with JoAnn's quality of fabrics for quilting. Some of it is OK for crafting. But I don't want to spend hours making a quilt with it and be disappointed in the color fading or fuzzys on it. I made my daughter some pajama bottoms from their flannel and they didn't hold up very well....holes appeared in fabric after several washings. Their prices are outrageous compared to their quality....unless you use the preverbial "coupon."

It's always chancy, in my opinion, to mix poly with cotton in a quilt. I don't mind using it in
other craft projects but not mixed in a quilt block. Sometimes you can get by without any
problems but not usually. At least that's my experience. I don't like having to starch because
there's no guarantee that it will stay straight after it's completed and washed. Then you'll
really be unhappy that you spent time, effort, and money on a disappointing project.

I would just starch it to within an inch of it's life. I had that problem when I made my last wall quilt, so I just starched it 3 times so the threads would stick to each other. I thought the fabric was a looser weave.

Using triangles I would starch prior to cutting and possible before sewing to give it slide.
If you were putting squares together I would say stretch goes with stretch.

I've never had a problem with polyester and cotton blends nor with JoAnn broacloth. But I have never tried to sew anything from straight edges. It may be that the blend does not do well on the bias. Use your yardage for a back and get fabric that doesn't distort for the front. froggyintexas

Are you pressing the squares with steam because that can distort the blocks. I found a travel iron that gets really hot and it really helped my accuracy. Also, before I cut, I starch the fabric. I have used JoAnn's without problems.

YES! Funny you should mention this.. I have just had the same problem with the broadcloth from Joann's ! I thought it was just me.. apparently not.. it also shrank quite a bit ! I don't normally wash all my fabrics, but the gal at the store told me I should wash this one.. good thing I did ! It is very frustrating !

Have you tried marking the centers of the triangle, pin both pieces together. sew from the corner to the center, you may want to use a leader to start your piece, then go to other side and sew to center. Check to see it is sewn straight, square and flat.