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.

I've used lots of Fairy Frost and never had a problem with it. Love the color selection! Be sure to share pics of your quilt :)

Although the fabric is beautiful, I think I would use something else for such an ambitious project. It would be a shame if you put all that time and effort into a quilt and the fabric didn't hold up. jmho
Sue

I have used fairy frost a lot and have never had a problem sewing with it. I am surprised to hear the sheen comes off, I have not noticed it. Washing and ironing it has not been a problem -- I have it in several table runners and it seems fine through the washings that are inevitable. I love the colors and the sheen of the fabric and have a lot of the older stuff.

I'll agree ... the sheen does wash off!

I had some of the bright blue and in the pre-wash with hot water and dryer, the finish came off ... and came off unevenly! There was still a design, but definitely, it looked abnormal and easy for others to spot.

Even with that, the finish made it difficult to press and get it to take a sharp crease on the seams.

I too am impressed with your getting talking to the sales rep so quickly!!

I completed a sample block (see the image on this post: http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...ml#post5265736 )

I am not really happy with it. I think the fabric has such a wide weave it doesn't have a nice smooth look (in the photo you can see an almost roughness to it). Even my prewash showed that certain fabrics were going to hold their sheen longer/differently. I think it is too risky to undergo this big of an endevour with a fabric that I am not sure how it will perform and hold up. So, I think I am going to switch to using my rainbow colored batiks. I have well over 120 FQ that range the rainbow (not sure I want to cut into all of them but I will definately have enough). I believe all my batiks are Hoffman (does Hoffman make Tonga??) brand and have a medium-thin feel to them so they should be a bit easier to work with. I just have to make sure that I get all the bleeding out in my prewash.

I love FF...especially the original ones...I found that washing it and then just using light spray starch or sizing makes it easiest to work with!

yes ... she is. LOL

I wish I had every color. There are 130 in the current collection. They retire some and add others from time to time. The closest I got to my goal to own at least a small piece of every one is to ocassionally shop for sample packs. (which reminds me ... it's been a while since i did that.)

they are easy to work with and hold up well. i agree, though, that they wouldn't be ideal for patterns that require itty-bitty pieces unless it was paper-pieced.

If it's one with glitter or a heavily "painted" pattern, i usually iron from the back before assembly. just press carefully once it's assembled. I don't actually know for sure that's necessary. Just something I do out of habit.

So far, the only FF I have not been pleased with were the metallic prints on black. (Gold and Bronze or Copper, I think.) They didn't look great after washing. (keep in mind, please, that was a few years ago. For all I know they have improved the prints since then.)

I LOVE the ones with glitter. Some of it does wash off, but in a way that's toooooooo cool! It isn't enough to make a difference to the glittery fabs themselves. The very little that does wash away settles on the rest of the quilt. You have to look close to see it, but it makes light reflect off the whole quilt.

No photo can do them justice. They are beeeyond fabulous in person.

If you live within driving distance of Mary Jo's, in Gastonia, NC, make the trip. I think she carries the whole collection. :)

I just finished a pineapple quilt for my Granddaughter( I hope to get pictures ready to post soon.)
I love Fairy Frost I think it's one of the best on the market.
Exception I hate the glittery I don't know if they still have it in their line of FF.
Have fun.

If you're not having good feelings now, it's better to switch from the FF now. Otherwise you'll find yourself hating the project and with the small piecing, you might abandon it all too easily. For your batiks, treat them with Retayne .... and use Colour Catchers for quality control on the bleeding.

I haven't used Fairy Frost but have seen and liked it so this thread has been very interesting. But I REALLY hope you show us photos of your 1.5 in. 9 patch and then your finished masterpiece!

Never heard of it!

Do yourself a favor and check it out. Have you heard of Fossil Fern? Another fabulous fabric with lots of colors.

I do love Fairy fabric, I don't plan on washing the quilts over 7 times ! so I think I'll be safe.
If you like it, then use it, it is going to be a long time it starts to loose it luster.

I've used a lot of fairy frost. It looks wonderful and handles beautifully just like any other good cotton quilting material. Really brightens up a quilt.

I have used Fairy Frost alot and I love it. Never had any problem and never even thought that maybe there would be a problem. It is a very elegant fabric and I love it in anything that I have used it for. Especially love it in Christmas projects.

I love Fairy Frost and live about 2 hours from May Jo's and it's well worth the trip. Thanks, Patrice, for the reminder. Maybe combine Mary Jo's and IKEA.

Fairy Frost is absolutely gorgeous in quilts..It's just like any regular cotton fabric. It doesn't melt, doesn't flake or wrinkle. It adds such a rich affect to any quilt. I always wash my fabrics as soon as I get them, and FF never wrinkles, for me anyway. You have to use some, it's gorgeous.

Jean

[QUOTE=AngelinaMaria;5264410]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 love Fairy Frost! It is so pretty!! The only "problem" I have had with it is that I had used it in place mats and after dozens of washings it is not "shimmery" any more. Still looks pretty and had great color, just no more shimmer.

Of all fabric it is the best i have ever sewed with i love it

I didn't think it was hard to work with. Appliqued fleur de lis on my grandson's quilt. Made the quilt black with the gold fleur de lis. It worked great. I've also used the turquoise fairy frost in another quilt Really pretty.

Fairy frost is a high quality fabric, which is loads of fun to coordinate with, the only problem I have ever had with it, is that it is hard to needle turn applique, but can be accomplished with patience. I love this project, and have not had a problem with it fading or losing its sparkle. Have a lot of fun with your quilt.

no it does not melt---no it is not any more difficult to work with than any other quilting cotton- that is what it is---quilting cotton- it is a beautiful fabric that makes beautiful blocks- i love fairy frosts- have used literally hundreds of yards of it. my Amazing grace quilt has fairy frost for the pineapple blocks- they are just stunning! not sure why you would worry about melting---it is 100% cotton fabric.