Need help with quilt problem
 

Hello QB members,

I have a prolem and I hope you can help me.
I am making a quilt for my nephew's new home. He asked for a black and white quilt (white background) with a grey backing.
Here's my problem: did the top (pleased with that), found backing fabric in grey, sandwiched it all, started quilting....... now the backing is showing through the batting so all the piecing seams are clearly visible.
I feel that these seamlines are very distracting.

Do you have any idea how I can solve this "showing through" problem?
If I line the top with white fabric will it become too stif?

Please, any suggestions?
Thanks,

Katie in The Netherlands

Hi Katie. You did a great job with the quilt. As for being able to see your seams, I am sorry but I do not have an answer for you. I can tell they are even and show the 1/4" we try to achieve.

I am sure one of our boards experienced quilters will read your post and have a suggestion for you soon. Thanks for posting.

White is so notorious for showing seams. That's why I stick with Kona white and lights. Really helps with this problem.

What you can do with your current situation is to back each block with fusible interfacing. I've used the lighter weight of the fusible interfacings to solve exactly this problem, but do a "test block" first to make sure what you pick out will do the job. Would be great if you had some "extra" interfacings lying around to test on the blocks.

I've tried just lining the top in the past. I haven't found it to be effective, especially if my batting is already white. The only time it really worked was when I used a white sheet, and then tacked it down everywhere, so the sheet was held tightly against the top. It wasn't working otherwise. Just a word of warning, if you're planning to FMQ this quilt, the sheet makes it a bit harder to quilt, and you should go through more than 1 needle because the sheet is woven to tightly, it will dull your needle. But I did FMQ mine, so don't let it deter you!

first question is what color is your batting? My guess is you are using a warm/natural or other natural cotton fabric. You have to use bright white batting that should keep the white seams from showing. I have used both kona white and another thinner white, the batting is the key ;)

I personally don't find the seams distracting either.
What color is your batting? Here in the states, they make a bleached cotton batting that helps in this situation. You could try adding a layer of light weight cotton, or maybe white flannel between the top and the batting and see if that helps. The extra layer will add warmth. If you have any left over fabric, I would make up a small sample and experiment a bit to see what works. The sample could then be used as a doll quilt or table topper.

As quilters, we are our own worst critic. I didn't even notice the seams, until I read your post. Lovely job.

i agree that the seams are not distracting. it's a great quilt.

You might try some sort of backing as suggested...

OR, quilt it and call it good. I agree, we are our own worst critics. Once it's done and on the bed, doubt most people wouldn't see what you're seeing. Good work.. it's really nice.

I've never considered this to be a problem. After all, everyone knows that a quilt is made up of many pieces of fabric sewn together. I think that once you quilt it, the seams won't be so noticeable. Yours are so beautifully straight that you should consider them a part of the design.

I wouldn't worry about it. It looks fine just as it is. I think you are just too close to it at the moment. If you have already sandwiched it and have started quilting it, I would just let it be. That being said, I sew with white a lot, and if I use the Warm and Natural that comes in white, the seams don't show...in case that helps.

Beautiful quilt, by the way!!

Dina

I love black and white quilts and yours is beautiful. If it was mine, I would leave it as is but would quilt it using black thread . People will be drawn to the design of the quilting because it will stand out and they won't even see the seams . They really are straight and I kind of like seeing them, like a design. JMO

I agree that a white batting is necessary. I made an Ohio Star and had to get a bright white batting to keep seams from showing. The natural was just too dark for the white background.

Yours is a beautiful quilt. I'm sure your Nephew will love it!!

Actually, I think the white lines can be considered a design feature. They're very sharp and modern looking.

Beautiful quilt. Seams don't brother me either...I like the suggestion of lining blocks.

Looks gr8 to me. To me the seams are barely visible, your nephew will love it.

it's a lovely quilt. I would suggest going back and stitching 1/4 around the pieces. that way, it will help fool the eye so it doesn't see the shadow of seams through the white. good luck. :thumbup:

I kind of love how they look. I would leave them for sure.

I think you are being too critical - most won't look that closely - they will see the overall design and never notice the seam allowances. Nice job!

Hi,

Thank you all for your advice.
I showed the quilt to my nephew and his family and they did not even notice the seams!!!
So I guess I was indeed being too critical of my own work.

I did use bright white polyester batting (Hobbs 80/20 cotton batting made my white fabric look yellowish) so the problem was caused by the grey backing fabric.
But hopefully the seams will not be as prominent after it has been quilted.
After reading your comments I have decided to leave it as it is and finish it.

In this picture you can see the whole quilt with a part of the backing fabric showing.
Please don't look too close at all the wrinkles ...it is still a work in progress...

Thanks for your help.

Katie

What batting are you using? I have noticed that 100% cotton and 80/20 batting are more solid than polyester. Polyester batting is more "see through" than cotton, in my experience, allowing more of the backing color to influence the quilt top.

I am trying to see what is so distracting in the quilt and sorry to say I can not find anything that is distracting. What I do see is a quilt that has geometrical lines and angles that are pleasing to the modern eye. Beautiful quilt!

Everyone has given fantastic advice, thinking outside the box.
How are you going to quilt it. If you are using a colour or even a pattern over the seam area making the
Line look part of the design.
Hope this helps.
The quilt is wonderful seams great and if it was mine would be going in a show.

I don't see it as a problem either. It looks like that is part of the design......I would leave it!

I agree! I think they just add another interesting element to the quilt so I would leave them. Then just remember some of the tips for avoiding it the next time. The quilt is pretty!

This would be my suggestion too. Quilting at a 1/4 inch will enhance the look and it will become a part of the quilt. If you were going to do some beautiful curved quilting, this would not be viable. Your quilt is beautiful. Good luck and please let us see what you decide to do.

Actually, I think it looks like part of the design. It's a great quilt. He's going to love it.

You could put a white inner backing between the batting and the grey backing.

have to agree that the seams don't matter to me, and they actually and one more element to the design which is not detracting.
peace

Ditto on being our own worst critics. I think the quilt is beautiful and no one will be distracted by the seams. They are the best seams I've ever seen and mine certainly wouldn't look that good. Be proud of your work and quilt away. Your nephew will love it for sure!

I agree with the others - I didn't "notice" the seams. I had to look for them.

It looks beautiful just the way it is. I, also have had seams show through and I simply "ignored" it and went on. Sometimes things like this are what make a quilt a QUILT ! They will love it and probably not know the difference. It is beautfully done.

Finish the quilt as is; it is beautiful, your work is lovely. Then add this one to your dossier when you apply for a job with the quilting police.....

Hi Katie,
Your quilt looks just fine to me! I like it!!
Sharon

Personally, I don't think that the seam lines are distracting at all. Did you use a white batting like white Warm & Natural? I like the quilt a lot and don't see anything wrong with it. I know that if you're using a lot of black in a quilt, it helps to buy the black batting, can't remember the manufacturer, and maybe next time you're using a lot of white in the background of a quilt to use the white batting. Great job though - I love black and white quilts, in fact I just finished a black/white log cabin for this year's family reunion and I think it looks great.

Quilt down the seams, use them as a guide, it will enhance the quilting, just a thought. but it is lovely

I am a perfectionist & very anal about these things BUT I do not see a problem. Your seams are straight & we all know you can't sew anything without seams so I guess what I want to say is "Don't sweat the small stuff". Your quilt is gorgeous & once it's quilted the seams will melt into the finished quilt. Don't be so hard on yourself. It's a real beauty.

Your quilt is beautiful. That black and white is so crisp. I do not think the seams are particularly noticeable because quilts have seams. However, if they bother you they must be addressed. Another alternative would be to use a fusible batting and adhere a plain white fabric to the front of it and sandwich your quilt with that using Elmer's glue, basting or pins that you normally use. Then, when you wash it prior to giving it to your nephew and wife, all the glue washes away.

My quick fix would be to just sew a line down the seam allowance. It would then become part of the quilt design. No one will ever know that it wasn't what you planned to do. The quilt is lovely and your nephew will love it.

Honestly, I never noticed the seams. I was busy looking at the pattern. You did a good job. I would find the whitest batting and I think that might help.