I don't know if it's me or the fabric! I think it's a little of both! I think the fabric is too stretchy. So I've used spray starch on it, but it won't hold the starch...hmmm...and it's the only black fabric I have, and I won't buy fabric (I've gotten everything I have for free) so I'm just kinda frustrated. I'm not sure how the corners are supposed to go. Am I'm supposed to trim off access fabric after I sew on each strip? I'm working on the sashing on the first block, so I've torn it out a couple times and tried different ways. What is the right way, can someone tell me?

Lol, I know I'm new and I'll learn and I'll get the hang of it, but I guess I'm just a little daunted right now.

What kind of fabric is it? If it is a stretchy type you can use an iron on interfacing as a stabilsier, that's how t-shirt material is used for quilting.

The more you unpick and resew, the more distorted the fabric gets.

Be careful when you're ironing too, just "press" the iron gently down the seam, don't wiggle it around because that distorts the fabric as well. I discovered that watching a quilting show on tv and it's made a HUGE difference to my quilting! lol

Once the sashing is on, you can trim the blocks all to the same size. But wait until you have all of them made first, and trim them to the smallest size.

:-)

What exactly is iron on interfacing? I've heard of it but I don't know how it works. I have enough of this fabric that I can mess up a million times and have plenty to work with. If I rip it out, I just use a new strip. I have one more side to go on the block I'm on now, then I'll post a pic of it. I'm not sure what kind of fabric it is, only because I get it all second hand. It's black though, and had no info on the salvege. I know it's definetly not cotton though. Maybe it's a cotton/poly blend, or straight polyester?

Thanks for your help...I know as a Newbie I can be quite a pain with all my questions ;)

Oh, the fabric is also very thin. When you hold it up to the light you can see right through it.

Iron-on interfacing is a really thin fibrous type fabric that when you apply heat to it sticks like glue. Because it has absolutely no stretch, once it's ironed onto something else it stabilises it and stops it moving in any direction.

That would be my first suggestion, only because I have a tonne of the stuff at home and have used it extensively for a t-shirt quilt. It makes a big difference.

If the fabric is moving a lot, that would be your best bet.

Someone else who has worked with different types of fabric might have other suggestions. Can you post a photo of what you have done so far?

Seriously, don't worry about it! :-)

I ask heaps of questions too, and find people are very willing to help and share experiences and tips. And even once you've been doing it a while, there's always something that you didn't know or a tip you hadn't heard of before. :-)

What happens after you sew what needs to be sewn, with the interfacing? Does it stay on or wash out?

Here are 3 pics...2 of the block itself with the sashing, and one of the corner or the block, you can see how the black is transparent, sorry it's blurry though, I had to turn off the flash and my camera sucks with no flash.

If you ask at the fabric store, there are usually free handouts explaining the different types of interfacings and stabilizers available. Depending on your choice of hand or machine quilting, and the amount of stiffness you want, you can use different weights. Remember that the shiny or dotted side is the glue, so keep it facing AWAY from the iron.

Tear away and sew-in stabilizers are useful in other ways, but not what you need right now.

My guess, from what you've said, is the fabric is really too thin in its present form to be good for quilting. Even with interfacing, after years of washing, it will break down faster than regular weight fabric. You may be happier with another choice for sashing.

It's your life, so don't think I am telling you how to do it but...

Garbage in... Garbage out. If you use good quality stuff, your finished product will be nice.

Life is too short to use crap. Even free crap. What you are trying to accomplish is just about the easiest thing to do in quiltmaking. If it isn't working it isn't your fault, it's the fabric. Get different fabric. A yard of Kona black cost about $6.00 even out here in expensive California, less on sale. If you are not willing to invest $6.00 into your craft, well...

You have your answer.

tim in san jose

Ok, I think I see what you mean in the close up photo.

I would carefully trim the blocks to the same size, and just carry on. Be very careful when handling the fabric, the more handling the more distortion.

And once you've sewn the seam, leave it closed and pop it on the ironing board. Drop the iron on top of the seam and press down (no sideways movement at all, just PRESS). This sets the stitching in the fabric. Then gently open the seam to whichever side you are going to have it on, finger press it lightly open (do a small section at a time) and repeat the press thing with your iron to set it. Make sure there's no steam in your iron either.

You can make it work, take a deep breath and try not to stress. :-)

Oops... I shouldn't have had breakfast before hitting "submit". ;-)

My first choice would also be to biff the black and get new stuff.

But if it's not an option, you can make it work. It depends on what your making it for too. If it's a quilt for the dogs (don't laugh, I've made several! lol) it's a little different to a family heirloom that will be passed down for generations. Likewise, if it's your first and you just want to get something done, then it's the process and not the end product. It's your call really. :-)

It is a little difficult to tell exactly what you say is wrong but, do you mean that there is just too much fabric at the corners?

If you are just taking a length of sashing and sewing it on then cutting it to length it will stretch out the side of the block and it will make the sashing do that little wing out at the corners.

Measure your block side-to-side through the center of the block, not the edges. Cut your first two sides of sashing the same measurement. Mark the middle (pinch a crease, use a pen, or a pin) of the block and the sashing strip. Match up the middle and the ends and ease in any fullness. It will likely seem that the sashing strip is too short unless your block is absolutely square since it tends to stretch on the outside edges.

Press the border seam towards the border. Measure across the block and the two borders and cut the other two sashing strips the same, sew them on the same way.

See if that solves the issue of getting them square.

Are you beeing stubborn or is your wallet crying at the thought of buying ANY fabric? IF you are being stubborn and use the "I'll be damned if this fabric is going to get the better of me" approach, then go ahead and fight it to the bitter end. :D

There is some basic solid color cotton available for a few bucks a yard and it would make your life so much easier. It may not be the best quality either, but at least it would not stretch or distort.

That said, iron-on interfacing is available in various thicknesses and the thicker it is, the stiffer the end result will be. Your best bet is to take a piece of your fabric to the fabric store and ask the nice lady what to back it with. If your fabric is polyester, you want something that bonds at a low heat so you won't scorch the fabric.

BTW: If you happen to iron on the wrong side of the interfacing (usually you'll only do that once), you can sometimes get the sticky stuff off the iron by ironing the residue off on a dryer sheet.

Whatever you end up doing, don't let a challenging first experience kill the joy. :D

May I point out that the last time I went to the fabric store, they were not giving away interface either. By the time you buy the interface, you could have just bought the correct fabric. And have the correct fabric on that very nice block you made.

tim (inexpensive but not cheap) (and yes, my first quilt IS an heirloom) (and no, I don't make quilts for dogs) in san jose

lol

I made my first quilt for one of my dogs so that I felt no pressure for it to be perfect, and could concentrate on enjoying the experience. There is method to my madness. Not always, but sometimes! LOL ;-)

The black fabric you are trying to use is not a good match for your patch! It looks like lingerie fabric, or some such thin material. I would not use that, even if it is the right color!
(You can test for cotton fabric by usig a match and burning a thread. Non natural fiber melts. Natural fabrics will burn.) Mixing fabric in a quilt is usually not recommended. Crazy quilts are an exception. Anything goes, but they are usually not expposed to heavy wear, nor laundered.
BTW, trim the seams where your corners overlap. You will be happier with the end result.
Go for the fun, but remember we have most likely made these mistakes which is why we are giving this advice. :?

just a thought: are you cutting with the grain or across the grain?

cutting across the grain will add stretch to an already stretchy fabric. cutting lengthwise will give some more stability, even though it may not be enough.

IMHO your time should be worth more than you're giving it. if possible, go for the better fabric. if not, starch, press, dry. let it rest and repeat. cut your longest edges on grain.

in the end it may be hopeless. how many yards do you actually need? there are sales all the time online.

Thank you all for your suggestions! I've decided this fabric is not worth my time and effort and I will go get new fabric tomorrow after work. I know Joann's carries good fabric, so I'll more then likely go there. I'm a magazine vendor in a local walmart and my store happens to have tons and tons of fabric and the ladies that work in that department are fantastic, so I'll see them first. I've carefully taken this crap fabric off my block and thrown it away. I still have 3 yards of it and I'm not sure what to do with it, if anything. It may very well be a lost cause.

So now I'm sitting here at my desktop computer (hubby is on the laptop) wanted to do something quilt related, but seeing as I can't do the sashing tonight, I feel lost!! :roll: My next project after my sampler is completed is the quilt I plan to work on with my 10 year old. But, I also want something to work on after she goes to bed at night...so, here I am twiddling my thumbs thinking, thinking, thinking.............

I am not sure if I am answering the question about your sashing correctly or not but since you are a newbie-if not hopefully you can use this info at another time.
Before you sew on your sashing you need to measure carefully your block.Your sashing pieces should be the same size as your block.EXACTLY!!! I only put sashing on my sides and use long sashing pieces for tops and bottoms once I sew all my blocks together.
But the most important thing is to measure,measure,measure.
Would have put smiley faces on but I don't know how.

Good to see those hobbit feet again! Frugality is nothing to be sneezed at!

Perhaps put the fabric aside for backing on a quilt that you don't expect to last?

You won't regret buying new fabric, it will be much easier!

:-)

I made my first quilt for my grand daughter ( she was three ) Figured it would be a great learning project. Ripped out a lot of stitches and learned alot. If you are adamant about not buying new fabric just keep working at it. It should get better. Your block is beautiful. I would want to get some cotton fabric to frame that lovely block they way it should be.

buy new for this project and hold on to the old stuff for a backing on a wall hanging. wash it and put it away. sometime you may want to use it to learn stained glass or something. you're a quilter. we never throw anything away.

Pain in the arse? LOL such a British saying, love it. Thought you American's referred to it as ass ? Apologies for the language to anyone who finds that rude?! :lol:

It was my nice way of saying it, lol...I was in a mood and I could have said much worse! ;)

OR: sew on the sashing strip slightly oversize and trim it flush with the block. I have used both methods. When I use the same sashing for all the blocks, I line up the blocks one after the other and string piece the sashing. Then I press and trim/square off each side.

Ok everyone! I bought the new fabric! I bought 4 yards of 100% cotton! Feels sooo much better then that other stuff. I bought alot of it because I know I will use it in other projects and I might also use it as the backing for this quilt as well.

Thank you all for your wonderful answers and support. I have come to love this group so much and I spend just as much time here as I do actually quilting!

Much love to you all!

Just so you are aware there is a new syndrome called SABLE (Stash accumulation beyond life expectancy). I think you're on your way. Welcome to the club. :D

LOL!! That is too funny! I'm going to make that a little sign for my stash drawers and hang it there! I love it!

Can't wait to see the photos of the finished blocks! ;-)

And MadQuilter is right... you're doomed. LOL

I am a famous walmart shopper, thet do have a cotton solid black for about 3 dollars...or dr blue or green will do. Now that black you have will be great for haloween costumes or decorations this fall.

ok, here is my 2 cents worth, first, trash the black, I learned the hard way to always use good 100% cotton. And yes I do make quilts for my Great Dane, he is a big part of my family. Nothing fancy, just squares with cotton batting and I tie them, but he definitively knows his quilts and doesn't want anyone else on them. Someday I would love to make an heirloom. but I quilt for the pleasure that It gives me. And I love seeing Mortimer, (dog) happy on his quilt. Ninnie in NC

I feel if you're willing to put the time in to make that block, I wouldn't be willing to jeopardize it by using fabric that is not suitable. Go to Wal-Mart and buy a yard at $2.00 and have a finished piece you'll be proud of. Nothing worse than putting in all the work to have a piece you don't like and that won't hold up by the time you're finished. Free doesn't always mean it's ok to use. A quilt is an investment...not just of money, but love and your time. Keep plugging. You learn something new everyday and never have all the answers. That's why we have this forum..it's wonderful!!!

Oh, I love Mortimer. He is sooooo big, yet soooo cute. Love great danes.

Looks to me like Mortimer also has a gorgeous antique bed!

Hey Mortimer deserves his own quilt. My baby Jake, which you see here in his Santa Hat, is our child. We don't have children. We drive Jake, 4 hours to his grandparents when we go out of town. Not many more years left with us, he is 13.

Hey, we all learn by asking questions! I've learned a lot just by logging on some days!

Jojo

Hi, I would follow PittsburgPams directions and measure ends and middles, and also put the stretchy fabric on the bottom as you sew. Pin each piece too, pin each end and at least once in the middle, don't take out the pins till you get right up to them. This will stop you from stretching them more. Always have your sashing and borders on the bottom as it creates less waving. Always measure and pin, don't just sew a sashing piece on the block and then cut, you will get stretching that way.