Help! I've never had a problem with fiber migration with any of my other quilts but I am with my newest project, an applique quilt that has stabilizer as a backing for the pieces. I had to embroider some of the pieces so I stabilized them and having a problem with the fiber migration now. Any way to take care of that?

Just what is fiber migration?

What stabilizer did you use? I assume it's the stabilizer that is the problem?

Bearding.

Fiber migration is what happens when either the stabilizer you use or the batting you use comes to the surface of the quilt during washes. I've never heard it called bearding but that's exactly what it looks like, lol. I used a water soluable stabilizer and had already rinsed it out but it seems that it's still coming to the surface after a few washes. I haven't added the batting yet so it can't be from the batting.

Bearding is normal with certain battings. Did you change the type of bat you use or is it only coming through the stabilized areas?

My initial thought is the stabilizer was not completely dissolved. If you've already washed it a few times, maybe letting it soak overnight with a little Woolite would help. I've only had bearding happen to me once - with a poly batt I got at a yard sale. I ended up melting the beards back in with a lighter, and it took a loooong time. That was a commemorative quilt (Hurricane Hugo) and was not going to get rough usage.

A lot of times it just quality of backing batting and wrong stabilizer. I always sulky stabilizers but it is tricky which one to choose.

This was a Sulky stabilizer that's completely off on the back. I'm just not sure if in the washing it somehow soaked into the layers of the appliqued pieces. I usually use a mixed batting so I've never had this problem. I haven't sandwhiched the quilt yet so I know it can't be the batting. I didn't think of the Woolite so I'll give it a try. Thanks!

oh no, hope you get it resolved

Thanks everyone! I ended up using a lint brush (not a roller) to pick up the tiny threads of stabilizer that still shimmered on the back and then I did the same to the top. The lint roller really wasn't pulling the fibers that were half in the project and half out but the brush pulled them out.

I hope that clears up the problem for you. I'm looking forward to seeing a picture of it once you are done! :-D

Thanks! This is the pic of the quilt top before I add borders. I had to restart the quilt when my husband spilled egg yolk on the first foundation piece so that means another trip to the fabric store to get more material for the borders.

Glad you were able to get it fixed :thumbup:

That is just too adorable :mrgreen: Thanks for sharing

Thanks! It's still a little shiny in parts from the migration but I think a few good washings AFTER I put the borders on the fraying edges will help. =)

I see what you mean about a few shiny spots but I don't think the average person will even notice them; that's if they remain after being washed. That is an adorable quilt and I'm glad you were able to discover a solution! I can't help but smile when I see that quilt. Darn is it cute!

Thanks!