1/4" Shrinkage After Starching!!!
09-18-2011, 11:38 AM
#42
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 2,879
Originally Posted by Krystyna
Originally Posted by RST
What kind of fabrics was it? I've had that happen with solid cottons -- I think they were quilter's candy-- from Connecting Threads. It's ok fabric for the price, but you really don't want to go pressing with steam until it's been quilted, or significant shrinkage occurs. I was lucky that I had my shrinking moments before I cut, but it was still alarming to actually see the fabric drawing up smaller.
Cutting that many pieces makes me wonder (just a wonder, not a criticism) why the class is not making this an opportunity to learn about strip piecing as a means of avoiding having to cut so many small individual pieces?
RST
RST
Cutting that many pieces makes me wonder (just a wonder, not a criticism) why the class is not making this an opportunity to learn about strip piecing as a means of avoiding having to cut so many small individual pieces?
RST
RST
:shock:
09-18-2011, 01:36 PM
#44
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks County PA
Posts: 1,241
[quote=KrystynaThe math is a little complicated to follow but here goes
468 actual pieces
Plus Stressful Shrinkage Factor
Times emotional turmoil
Equals 196,000[/quote]
Odds are you won't make a whole quilt in class. Why not just cut half of the pieces you need for the top. That should be plenty.
I had a similar issue many years ago when I ironed instead of pressed 280 diamonds for this Star of Bethlehem. I stretched them into different shapes than they needed to be. I had to re-cut and I had to re-think and re-buy as well, because I didn't have enough of some of the fabrics. I never forgot the lesson.
We live and learn. Sometimes it's painful. Aarrgggh! But you'll be just fine. And so will your quilt! Please show us when you're done.
468 actual pieces
Plus Stressful Shrinkage Factor
Times emotional turmoil
Equals 196,000[/quote]
Odds are you won't make a whole quilt in class. Why not just cut half of the pieces you need for the top. That should be plenty.
I had a similar issue many years ago when I ironed instead of pressed 280 diamonds for this Star of Bethlehem. I stretched them into different shapes than they needed to be. I had to re-cut and I had to re-think and re-buy as well, because I didn't have enough of some of the fabrics. I never forgot the lesson.
We live and learn. Sometimes it's painful. Aarrgggh! But you'll be just fine. And so will your quilt! Please show us when you're done.
Tamara's star quilt
[ATTACH=CONFIG]258787[/ATTACH]
09-18-2011, 03:31 PM
#45
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Brady TX
Posts: 6,613
Oh Krystyna, I'm soooo sorry to here this. I had read about how excited you were about the class. What did you do? Did you have more fabric or did you have to buy more? Are you enjoying the class?
With the only quilt that I have been commissioned to do the solid brown shrunk every time I touched it with the iron!!!! It was a nightmare!! We are all there with you!!!! I now prewash everything!
With the only quilt that I have been commissioned to do the solid brown shrunk every time I touched it with the iron!!!! It was a nightmare!! We are all there with you!!!! I now prewash everything!
09-18-2011, 04:06 PM
#47
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Bowbells, ND
Posts: 156
Oh, I'm sorry this happened to you, Krystyna. As others have said, lessons learned just add to our experience. I appreciate this board so much, because I have learned from everyone's experience (and from my own lessons learned!).
09-18-2011, 06:49 PM
#48
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 864
[quote=Krystyna]I am having heart failure. I'm taking a class tomorrow and have to pre-cut a zillion pieces. I cut my strips before cutting the small pieces, starched the strips and ironed and EEEKKKK!!! They shrank by 1/4" I am ready to give up!
Did not pre-wash, but did cut 8" wide strips and then starched and ironed as directed before cutting smaller pieces. What a nightmare.[/quote
So very sorry Krystyna....... hope it all works out for you .....
Did not pre-wash, but did cut 8" wide strips and then starched and ironed as directed before cutting smaller pieces. What a nightmare.[/quote
So very sorry Krystyna....... hope it all works out for you .....
09-18-2011, 08:16 PM
#50
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Madison Heights, MI
Posts: 1,069
I always prewash and I use liquid starch. After I wash and rinse, I will put enough water in the washer and a quart of liquid starch. Swish with my hands and the spin dry. After taking the fabric out of the dryer when dry, I use a steam iron and the fabric feels like it has never been washed and the wrinkles disappear. At $3 for a jug at Wal-Mart, it's cheaper than Best Press.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Bill'sBonBon
Pictures
22
09-17-2009 05:12 AM
