Help.... I have a mess
 

I have taken on the project of making memory quilts for a friend out of her dad's memorabilia.

Well, I was so excited to have completed the first top. I just sandwiched it...no borders and was going to stitch in the ditch.

Well, when all was done.. I must have tugged too hard on the flannels and knits, ( I did have them on pellon ) now I have wavy , and uneven sides.... any suggestions.

Should I try opening the stitching on the sides and add a binding?

I could cry... can't give it to my friend like this

Any suggestions?? Thanks

That is why I put on bindings. I can never make it straight when doing the birthing method. I was the same when I made one...I was so upset, I ended up cutting the squaures on the end in half, added new borders and then added a binding. Good luck!

Oh, the joys of sewing with strange, different weight fabrics.:( I think your best option would be to add binding to even out the sides. I might even try the rag binding in case it doesn't come out perfectly even,it would disguise the difference.
Rag binding is done with doubled flannel stitched to the back, folded to the front and top stitch about 1/2 inch from the flannel edge. You then clip the 1/2 raw edge to form the rag edge. Your memory quilt looks great!

I would try spritzing it with water and pressing it again while pulling it a bit where needed. you can get it pretty wet and block it with your hands and a measuring tape too. Good luck.

It looks like you sewed vertical rows last. (Just a guess) I would separate it into vertical rows and sew borders vertically between and on the edges. Not bias, that wouldn't help. I would use interface the borders or starch them for stiffness. Then soak it and block it. Since it is a hanger, you may get a few, waves. I would then sew a sleeve on the bottom and use another rod on the bottom to stabilize. I have used metal cafe curtain rods instead of wooden ones, the weight helps even out the waves. How do I know all this, I have been in the same situation. One of my favorite hangers have waves and with the bottom rod, they aren't as noticable because it hangs straight. Just my advice.

oh dear, I'm so sorry. I would wash it first and block it. Good luck.

thank you all... decided to take the stitching out and edges... will add a binding after I straighten anything I can... all these fabrics are driving me nuts. All ideas are great....

Bad part is I have 4 more to make.... what did I get myself into...?????

I think I would add a border before adding binding. That way you could ease the stretched edges of the quilt into the border and have an unwavy edge for the binding. You would need to cut the border pieces to correct size first (measure through middle of quilt).

Also, depending on the fabric used for the border, it would help to heavily starch the border fabric before cutting to size so the border pieces remain stable throughout the process. (I use a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, saturate the fabric, toss in dryer, and iron.)

I love the way you put the pieces together. It will be a great quilt!!!

Thanks Prism99 that is an excellent idea.... What would you use for a border color?

I would take the quilt to a fabric store and try it against dark blue and dark gray solids and plaids (flannel if you can find the right colors). You don't show the back of the quilt. You would need to add a border piece to the back that works with the backing color.

It would probably be best to sew one border on at a time. For example, right side top only first, easing top to fit measurement of border, then turn over and add backing border along the same line of stitching.

I'd be so thrilled to get a memory quilt that you made for me, all I'd see is the love in it.

Give it to your friend as is. It's a memory quilt. None of our memories are perfect; they're all pulled and stretched by time, love, kindness and sometimes a little regret. And, of course, what we learned from our experiences as we live our lives.

The quilt you made reflects all that. It also another set of memories - your time, kindness, love and a tinge of regret over how the quilt looks.

I think it would look better with a border in any case, to frame your blocks.

If this is helpful at all, I just put borders on a quilt that had setting triangles all around the edges, with every edge on the bias - ack. I didn't have enough fabric to cut them any other way, so I tried to handle them as gently as possible, even while frogging. They didn't lie completely flat, though. I managed to get the border on by using the walking foot and pins, with the stretchy part on the bottom and the border on top. (I tried the reverse as an experiment and the bias stretched immediately.) So, you might try that if you're going for a border.

Hugs,
Charlotte

You mentioned that you have to make four more. Let's plan ahead. I suspect that some of your pieces are not on the 'straight of grain' resulting in unstable edges. Look carefully at the plaid on the left side; it's not straight. Blocking won't help.
If you cannot cut on straight of grain, be sure to back those pieces with lightweight iron-on interfacing, non-woven type.
Stretching, pullling, and blocking will last only until the quilt is washed, then it will be all wonky again.

I think it depends on your friend. Is she someone who loves what you do no matter what? Then it's fine the way it is, but learn from this for the next one. Is she critical and detail oriented ? Then I might undo the stitching around the edge and add a border and binding. While less time consuming and fabric saving, I'm not a fan of the turn it inside out method of finishing a quilt. Very few of the ones I've seen have a nice straight , clean finish like it sounds like you were looking for. That said, I love the blocks you've designed - there's so much to look at and enjoy along with the clothing parts. Good job!

Great idea about the rag binding.

Have you ever seen a gees bend quilt? I say it's done. Don't worry about it

This is my thoughts also. I am quite sure that they will love it the way it is. It is what is called LIFE.

I would use a steam iron and steam and steam and steam and keep it flat. You might try spray starch on the back also.

It's pretty miserable trying to make a flat quilt out of stretchy knits and who-knows-what-else that clothing is made of. Maybe you will have to be content with a quilt that isn't going to lie perfectly flat. I'm sure the family will still love it because it reminds them of "Grandpa".

I believe you would be happier with it, if you would add both a border and a binding. To me, borders around a quilt are like matting around a picture...and the binding is like a frame. The border and binding would pull the quilt all together.

I think you are a wonderful friend to do this - even if it is driving you nuts!! Your blessings will come back to you ten-fold!!

I have a friend who has done a few T-shirt quilts. I'm pretty sure she uses a product that stabilizes the squares so they don't stretch. It is not pellon, I can't remember the product. I just tried to call her but no answer. I'm not much help am I?

Lots of good suggestions. With the next 4, you might want to use a foundation, especially with bias edges and knits