I've already dealt with the question of pre-washing fabrics before you start a quilt... and I know quilters have a definite preference on that one. Today I am questioning whether to wash a wall hanging quilt or not before it is considered finished. I made a little sample with the same exact technique and threw it in the wash with a batch of clothes... just to see... what if.
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The technique for the quilt piece was to use heat fuse to affix little pieces of fabric to a base fabric (like the Ticker-Tape Quilt) but instead of stitching around each piece, I did vertical rows of stitching on the whole, sometimes catching the exact edges of the little pieces and sometimes not.
The technique for the quilt piece was to use heat fuse to affix little pieces of fabric to a base fabric (like the Ticker-Tape Quilt) but instead of stitching around each piece, I did vertical rows of stitching on the whole, sometimes catching the exact edges of the little pieces and sometimes not.
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The wash sample came out great! I like the exaggerated 3D look of it washed.
Here are my samples:
The wash sample came out great! I like the exaggerated 3D look of it washed.
Here are my samples:
This one is the sample I made and washed
This one is a sneak peak of the actual wall hanging, yet unwashed.
Plus washing will rid those pencil lines...I have yet to buy a disappearing ink pen.
I can see where you would hesitate with the light background and the bright colors....it looks beautiful...It still baffles me at how fast you finish those quilts .. Give Annie a smooch from me..... judy
ReplyDeleteLoved the frayed edges on the washed piece and, as always, your beautiful machine stitched writing.
ReplyDeleteWhy not. It looks beautiful and fun.
ReplyDeleteYour wall hanging quilt is really amazing...I love that you wrote saying on it too. I am thinking about making a throw for my sofa...a quilt top I made a few years back that is waiting for love. You make me want to quilt.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Mary
Another beautiful piece!!!! I always launder fabric before using it. That just elimates ANY issues later on with skewing, shrinking, bleeding.
ReplyDeleteI always wash before I sew. But now with so many of the pre-cuts available, you can't wash them. So far no one has returned a quilt! As always, your work is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYou have been whipping up a storm of quilts Cat... I've really enjoyed going back through your earlier posts and seeing the wonderful quilts. Love this latest wall quilt/hanging. Like how you have just attached the squares of colour with the quilting. Will be interesting to see how it washes up. I love the edges frayed a little...
ReplyDeleteTo wash or not to wash? I'm a bit slack and just usually cut straight into my fabrics without washing. Havent had an issue yet.
Jacky xox
i am completely LOVING the entire concept of this quilt!! can there truly be anything better than blocks of yummy fabric and lines of straight stitching?!! i'm crazy for this.....and the quilt that went through the wash is definitely my favorite!! it just brings all of that lovliness to life!! great quilt, great experiment! :))
ReplyDeleteMy two cents.........I like working with the unwashed fabric! To me the beauty of a quilt lies in the sensual
ReplyDeletequality created by the puckers occurring over time and washings. The shrinkage (if any) only adds to the beauty as far as I am concerned making tiny poofs that are comfortable to the touch:D