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QuiltingCrazie 04-26-2012 09:02 PM

Need Help with wonky squares
 
I shop alot online because of the lack of fabric stores here. I bought a flannel panel with pretty scenes on it. I planned to cut each square out and use the flannel I have to accent it and make myself a pretty flannel quilt because it's freezing here. Yesterday I pull it out to look at it and it was printed wonky! Now the Karma part...I can't even complain to where I bought it because I quickly get rid of "evidence" from the DH and hide fabrics in my stash and delete e-mails (yes I know crazy) so he doesn't know I've been shopping. I can't remember where I bought it! I'm stuck with it....what would you do? It is so noticeable that I know they had to realize it when they cut it. Would you put them on point to salvage the middle? they are 12" scene blocks and so pretty it's Moda so the quality is wonderful! I don't want a wonky square quilt heres a link to see what it is, it is the navy blue sashing one. TIA for all your help!!!
http://jellyrolls2go.com/winter-in-t...er-bundle.html

katier825 04-27-2012 01:42 AM

Panels do tend to get distorted a bit in the process. What I did was wet them down and pinned them square to block them (I pinned them to the ironing board). I let them dry that way and they straightened out enough so that they didn't look wonky anymore. I also had a matching border stripe with the same issue. I actually just wet that down and tugged a bit to square it up and it stayed pretty straight as it dried. The quilt came out great. It's a bit more effort using the panels, but they sure can make a pretty quilt!

ckcowl 04-27-2012 01:49 AM

this is not uncommen-or the fault of the retailer-
panals are often out of square.
you can either try to block them square- or just cut them square- either method works-
flannel being a looser weave than regular cottons do block a bit easier than other cottons.
those of us who use panals often have found all kinds of (creative) fixes for wonky squares- since it is more the norm than not...even a panal with one large picture is often way out of square===place a square ruler over the picture/block & see if you will (harm) the picture by cutting your squares - square;
steam also (sometimes) helps get them forced into square.
don't dispare- just think creatively-

QuiltingCrazie 04-27-2012 04:43 AM

Ladies...thanks so much!! Can you tell I don't deal with panels often and I'm so happy I can salvage these without compromising the scenery!! I will try your suggestions and again I'm indebted!!!

PaperPrincess 04-27-2012 05:26 AM

I would wash and dry before re-wetting to block. Flannel shrinks like crazy!

katkat1946 04-27-2012 06:25 AM

More and more this seems to be what I'm hearing about panels. Perhaps we need a little 'revolt' here and voice our dissatisfactionn with the companies that print them this way. They charge what they think is fair for the pieces, in return it's also fair to expect a good product. Grrrrrrr

sylviak 04-27-2012 06:31 AM

It's a gorgeous panel!

QuiltnLady1 04-27-2012 06:53 AM

Gorgeous panel!! I would wash and dry the fabric (because flannel shrinks). Then heavily starch or best press, straighten it by pinning to an ironing board and let it dry flat then iron if needed. I hate that they are wonky -- I love the panels but have to fight them whenever I use one.

Sew N Tune 04-27-2012 07:09 AM

I know what you are talking about. Two years ago I bought a Christmas panel with horses on it, the barns, some snow. it was beautiful. When I went to quilt it, it was so wonky. I washed it, that did not help. I could not square it up enough, as it was off 4-5 inches. I would have cut most of the design off. So my wonderful friend went and bought me another one. I bought this in a different state. Another board member suggested getting it wet, and trying to stretch them back into shape. That's probably your best bet. I wish you luck.


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