My group is learning to foundation piece. Each of us made this project. We have named it Quilting Sue. It was a real challenge but we are proud of our final efforts. Here's mine.

I've a question. I've had it on the wall about 4 days now and the sides are beginning to wave and stand away from the wall. I put a metal bar on the bottom to hold it down, but the sides are still wavy. What can I do to make it lie flat against the wall?


Connie

I'm not sure what to do to make it lie flat but want to let you know I think it looks great. I haven't gotten the nerve to do foundation piecing yet. Someday I'll try it. It looks great keep up the good work

Connie (Ceannastahr)

Alot of my wallhangings have done that.....in fact both of the last two did... I don't know what causes it or how to fix it either....but I agree...yours looks great!!!

i wonder if a super-lightweight frame of some kind, in a fabric sleeve, would work. just an upside down U woud be enough, i think. i've never tried that, so i'm really just thinking out loud.

there just aren't words to say how impressed i am with that quilt. it would take pages to list all the reasons why, but, really anybody who stops by to look at it will already know each and every one of them.

:P

I just love it, you've had some excellent teachers.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/quilt/msg1113334616787.html?29
here are a group of peoples suggestions on this topic

The wavy sides have to do with fabric stretch. Quilt all the way to the edges, and run a line of stitches all the way around the piece after you finish, then add the binding to help minimize the stretch, but you will still get some. Even paper does that. You can add a thin strip on fuseable interfacing along the edge under the binding to help stableize it, too

Thank you for the compliments ladies.

I'll try quilting to the edge to make the edges firmer.

Do you mean to mount the quilt on a frame and then hang it on the wall?
That would certainly stabilize the sides, but wouldn't it make the quilt heavy?

I had thought of sewing flat dowels down the sides in the back to make it lie flat. Has anyone ever tried it?

How do you keep the binding fabric from stretching? My binding is always made on the bias, the most stretchable direction of the fabric. My next one won't use the bias, but will I still have the same problem?
Connie

Not so much stretch if you cut with the grain. Usually, if you cut witht he grain and along the length of the fabric, that is the least stretch

Connie, I love your quilt. I've been thinking about what I could make for my mom, and that pattern would be perfect. Thanks for sharing.

Tricia

Many professionals, block their work before entering shows. This would mean dampening the quilt and pinning it flat to dry. You may find more information on doing this on the web.

The wall hanging is darling! I applaud your group's efforts to not only learn a new technique, but to also create such a lovely project. Keep up the great work!