Q About Fairy Frost--Is it difficult to work with? Ambitious quilt, does it melt?
 

So I have been planning an Ohmigosh quilt for a while (the finished size of a 9 patch is 1.5 inches) and have been acculuating Fairy Frost FQ's. I haven't worked with the fabric yet and now realize that it may be very hard to work with based on some comments from my thread about the quilt.

Does this fabric melt if you iron on the front side?

I am going to wash, tumble dry then iron with Mary Ellen Best Press. The fabric seems a little non-pourous on the front so I'm wondering if the Best Press is going to work on it (maybe need to spray the back side instead)?

This is fairly thick fabric, so it probably is a bad choice for making small blocks. I'd love to benefit from anyone's experience before I embark on this project. I haven't cut anything yet so I can still switch to a different fabric but I will then have to figure out a good alternative (one that has a broad color range choice--I found a great site that has gorgeous dyed fabrics but it is pretty expensive and this fabric I think is fairy thick as well) and start acccumulating the fabrics all over again.

it's Patrice's FAVORITE fabric, I think she has every color made, if it was hard to work with she'd know.

Is Patrice a member here? Hopefully she will see this thread and be able to give me some pointers.

Thanks.

You could contact Michael Miller fabrics directly http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/

GREAT fabric to work with. Doesn't stretch as much and I have no problem with starch on the front. No it does not melt. I'm not sure what the 'frost' is but it is very flexible. I don't think you shall have a problem with it. I can't imagine a finished 9 patch at 1.5 inches.....

you can send patricej a private message and ask her questions. click on the member list and type her name in the search box which should pull her up. click on her name which should bring you to her profile. over on the left hand side you will send the private message link. click on it, type up your message and send it to her.

I have used alot of it, have almost all the colors. Never had a problem with it, I wash, iron, starch. It holds up great in finished quilt that has been washed. Seen no difference from other cotton fabrics.

So the rep from Michael Miller said the sheen on this fabric does wear off after 5 to 7 washes. That is surprising to hear. Does that mean you would only want to use this for art quilts and pieces? Is there any pattern left after the sheen wears off or is it just a solid at that point?

I use alot of fairy frost... just love it. It handles just like any other quilting cotton. Yes some of the colors seems to have the sheen "wash off " a bit , but other than than I wash , iron, starch ( sometimes) ans sew just like any other high quality quilting fabric.
I can't wait to see your finished work.

I should add that the rep was really friendly and answered all my questions very quickly and she offered up the point about the sheen fading so I am very impressed with their customer service!!! I have a few pieces in the washer right now and will try out a sample 9 patch in the next few days to see how it goes.