Some things I feel like I should know, but I don't
 

Hi All,

A few questions have been nagging me while working on my latest project.
1. Why does my iron not want to remove all wrinkles? It doesn't seem to matter if I starch, steam or turn it up to "Linen", even pressing both sides, some of the creases, especially the fold lines from being on the bolt, just don't want to come out completely. Is it a sign my iron is "going"? It's a department store iron that's about 17 years old, but has had very little use until late last year when I started quilting. (And doesn't have auto shutoff, which I sure like.) I'm ironing on a ironing pad with what I think is sufficient padding (A layer of insul-brite, and I think 2 layers of batting as well as a cotton cover). Is it my technique?

2. Is how wrinkled the fabric was on the bolt any indicator of the quality of the fabric? I know all fabric wrinkles, especially cotton, but the quilt I'm working on is half fabric store fabric, and half quilt shop, and I've noticed the fabric store fabric is much more wrinkled, and harder to iron as a result of the above problem. Coincidence?

3. Quilt sizes. I'm making a queen size, and the dimensions mystify me. This one is 90"x110". The bed surface is 60"x80", I get the "drop" part, to a point. I assume this means that the sides would have 15" of overhang each. I can't figure out where the length is supposed to go for the top and the bottom. I can tuck in 10", but that still leaves me 20". This could, I suppose, be turned down at the top, but it would cover the quilt pattern partially. If I turned it sideways (This pattern can be turned), the overhang would almost touch the floor, which suggests the "full length" quilt size? Is it all perception? I see the quilts hanging in the shops, and they're hung with the long side vertical, as is the photo on the pattern. Is that just for space?

Quiltmaker suggests 90"x94"
Quilter's Cache suggests 88"x96"

Both of these I "get".

Try spraying with water mixed with a little vinegar. Spray, give it a few
seconds to soak then iron. Works wonderfully on the sturdiest creases.

I realized that the more layers of batting/fabric on the ironing board doesn't help. Better just one layer and a fabric to cover. Irons much better.
My input
andrea

[QUOTE=ArchaicArcane;6312034]Hi All,
1. Why does my iron not want to remove all wrinkles? I think part of this is a factor of the chemicals and sizings applied to fabric at the manufacturer's. And also could be a factor of a comment you made about the ironing surface you use......for instance it might be more efficient to use an ironing surface that is nearly flat, no padding except one thin layer of cotton batting and one layer of silvery ironing board cover. To me this makes a flatter seam.

2. Is how wrinkled the fabric was on the bolt any indicator of the quality of the fabric? There's that fabric chemical issue again; and many sewists believe that these substances are used more often and are heavier on less expensive fabrics to give them better "hand".

3. Quilt sizes. I'm making a queen size, and the dimensions mystify me. [QUOTE] If you are human you have an opinion; the same with bedding sizes.....don't we all wish they were entirely, across-the-board standard?!:rolleyes: This is one of the reasons why I personally make my quilts a size to suit ME. Because I usually design my own patterns, it's easy to add or decrease at will. Quilts talk to me and often tell me what size they want to be.....if you are a fairly new quilter, you'll get this eventually! :D

Jan in VA

I was iroining several different pieces of white-on-white last night. All but two came out nice and crisp with no wrinkles at all. Two have wrinkles everywhere. ALL of the pieces were starched at the same time, folded, and all went into the same zip-lock bag and into the fridge for an hour before pressing. All had previously been pre-washed.

I noticed that the two that are still wrinkled are not as tight a weave as the others that are crisp. So with this I'm chalking it up to quality of fabric (even though all were purchased at an LQS).

Now ... if I was using these whites in an area on the quilt that was going to be large enough to show wrinkles I would be concerned that it would ALWAYS look wrinkled. However, none of them will be larger than 1/2" square when finished so I'm not worried and will use them as is.

So I think the answer to question 1 and 2 is that it probably has more to do with the quality of the fabric. When I purchased the two suspect fabrics, they were not wrinkled on the bolt. The wrinkling did not happen until after I laundered them.

Can't help you with question 3.

I'm glad I read this! I'll add a little white vinegar to my spray bottle. And, I always wondered if I needed more padding on my ironing board. It only has the one layer of "batting" and the cover. I buy the commercial covers...have never made my own. Thanks, Tammi for opening this thread. Can't help you on the size of the queen.

I agree with all the responses about ironing. As to bed size I always get measurements from the bed I'm making it for and adjust the pattern to fit. All mattress's be them King, Queen, Twin or babys are not the same size same as A foot board or not is an issue as to size to fit.

The quilt shop fabrics always iron smoother and faster than fabric store ones for me. I made my own ironing board and it's pretty flat, not much padding, so it works well. Also is your iron getting hot-hot as its cotton setting? At 17 years old, it could well be that it's about to give up the ghost.

With regard to your pressing/ironing...prewashing, I think, makes a difference. You have not stated if you do this or not. Otherwise, imo, the highest setting on your iron; some spritz of water and/or starch are the key elements here.

Bedding sizes...well, that gets all of us! If it's for your bed, you can do measurements and plan accordingly. If it's a gift, well, you can just hope for the best. My personal opinion..it really depends on how you make your bed. I like a tuck and a pillow cover. Granted, this DOES NOT regularly happen in my house! I don't even have a quilt on my bed as we have dogs that sleep with us and I don't want the 'nesting' thing to happen to one of my quilts.

If it's for a recipient, try to find out how they make their bed! If the 'pillow tuck' thing is their preference, add some some coordinating blocks to the top of the quilt. I usually do the sheet; blanket(s) thing, and leave things fairly 'casual' so an extension to the top of the quilt would not be necessary.

As for the quilt size, I would measure the bed I'm making it for and not use arbitrary measurements from a printed source; they aren't consistent anyway.