Hi all!
I am happy to be back a few months after my first post — thank you, thank you for the very warm welcome by the way!
My boys and I have been busy bees this summer, spending much of our waking hours outside. We’ve been enjoying the best of the season –swimming pools, parks, and barbecues, oh my!
On top of all that, we celebrated my sister’s wedding– all while our house is a bit of a construction site! We are finishing our basement (cheers to a designated playroom). It has been hard to find time to keep the house tidy, let alone start a quilting project, but I am happy to say I have progress to report!
FABRIC!!
First, I went fabric shopping!
My mom, Faye, and I snuck away to our local quilt shop and spent a couple hours admiring the rows and rows of fabrics and let me tell you: my eyes were bigger than my shopping basket–or budget for that matter–
(Any tips for not overdoing it in the fabric store???)
After some editing, I finally landed on a stack of fabrics I can’t wait to work with!
BEGINNER PROJECT
Many of YOU advised attempting something simple and easy like a table runner, simple tablecloth, or a basic pillow case. Simple is appealing.
I got my hands on a copy of Pat Sloan’s Teach Me to Make My First Quilt – A How-to Book for All You Need to Know that many of you raved about and flipped to the perfect, simple block: a star!
Next, I decided on my first sewing project: a classic quilt block-The Sawtooth Star block.
I hope to use it as a wall hanging or turn into a pillow.
SUPPLIES
Next I gathered all of the supplies Ms. Sloan recommends for the first steps, cutting.
And by gathering, I mean I looted my mother’s studio and helped myself to extra tools (but at what point do I need to just get my own?)
What is essential? What should I buy now?
(Let’s come back to that.)
CUTTING SEEMS SCARY!
So now my plan is to press a few pieces of fabric then follow Ms. Sloan’s guide to cutting.
But, if I am being honest, after my first read through- my head was spinning a bit already so I think I’ll look up a Craftsy video that shows how to start cutting (visual learner here!) (Any suggestions for basic Craftsy videos?)
Believe me- I know better than to start by hacking away at my pretty new fabric– so I dug out a scrap from my mom’s bin to do some practice cutting. Practice a bunch, measure twice, cut once…on the nice stash.
In sum:
Completed:
- I’ve identified my project,
- Purchased fabric (might this be the best part)
- Found a knowledgeable and simple step-by-step guide (thanks, Pat Sloan!), and
- Procured the necessary supplies.
Action items:
- Find video lesson (or get a demo from my Mom)
- Practice cutting
- Cut new fabrics according to pattern
- Report back to YOU
I’m feeling hesitant about actually getting my hands dirty, but I’m going to just go for it and if I don’t do it right, oh well. As many of YOU kindly reminded me– there are no quilting police.
Who cares if it isn’t perfect, right!?
Ok one final question: must/should I prewash my fabrics before cutting?
Until next week,
Nora
62 comments
Michele
Yay for you! Summers are the best for family time 😀😀 Here’s some pointers:
1. When picking out fabric, take a photo of the bolts and then use a filter for black and white. This will help you gauge if you have all 3 light/med/dark fabrics.
2. When you see those flying geese to the center, sew with the geese side on top. Sew just above (toward the seam edge) where the three fabrics meet (in the center). This ensures that your points will not be cut off😀
3. Prewash or not? The true problem here is that a lot of fabric comes from China and is sprayed with rodenticide. When you iron it, some of the rodenticide is released. Eek! Prewash! But then the fabric and batting shrink at different rates, so many people don’t prewash. If you or someone in your home has allergies, definitely prewash.
Amy
Nora – welcome to the wonderful world of fabric collecting …. I mean, quilting 😉 I love your fabric choices. You asked about prewashing. I came to quilting from a dressmaking background where I prewashed or steam-pressed all my fabric before cutting it. I still do the same with my quilting cottons. I like taking off the sizing and dust that the fabrics have on them and then I starch them right before cutting. While most fabrics are color safe, I’ve had reds and blues run on me. And dark colored batiks are almost guaranteed to run. I use Synthropol along with a couple of color catchers. My motto, better the fabrics run before I’ve spent time sewing them into a quilt. I’m looking forward to reading about your quilting adventures. Cheers!
Linda in Calif
Nora, Lovely fabrics – I think you will love making this project. I really like the way you have the In Summary and then Completed and Actions Items. Such a good way to keep on track. I’m thinking of using your organization style to help me get back into my sewing. ( I just recently got married and sewing is really taking a back seat. 🙂 )
Suz Kuhns
prewashing is a choice. If you buy reds or dark blues you might want to test a tiny piece to see if they bleed. Most of the major companies (Moday, Kona, Marcus, etc.) have pretty much perfected their product and there is little bleeding. There might be some (again, very minor) shrinkage, but if you are making a quilt, that will lend itself to the crinkly effect once the quilt is quilted and then washed. Don’t wash precuts – more trouble than it’s worth. Finally, if you don’t prewash, but you are concerned about colors running, throw in a couple of Color Catcher sheets. Good luck and have fun!
Jan FITCH
Overdoing it in the quilt store? What’s that?
Robi Malone
Craftsy has several classes on making your first quilt. Demo each one to find a teacher whom you can relate and then sign up. I’m a Craftsy addict and have many quilting classes I’ve signed up for and more to purchase. Never stop learning.
Karen
Hello Nora: Since I have no daughters (only grands who are always busy) I will follow & enjoy your journey. Welcome to a new world of quilting friends. I look forward to your posts. Thank You for sharing.
Lolo
I never prewash. Ever. When I’m done, I wash/dry the quilt. It’s a little more ‘quilty’ looking.
Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day books are a great place to start, too.
dawk2012
Hi Nora. Welcome to an amazing group of folks! I ditto so much others have said, so I’ll add to focus on one or two skills at a time. You may be a great cutter but struggle with perfect points, etc. Choose what skills you wish to really work on a bit at a time. Suddenly, you’ll be a master at this or that and can add another skill. If you don’t have a problem cutting next time, try a pre-cut to try out another thing you need to do. Just an idea that’s helped me not go crazy and feel like “it’s not good enough.” Oh, make sure you stop when you’re tired–just wanting to push through to finish is a hard lesson I’ve had to learn. Also, some good pins and sewing needles are important too. I use glass head fine needles for lots of precise points and topstitch needles for FMQ (thanks to your mom). The joy is in the journey. Can’t wait to see your finished project.
Jane J
I never prewash. Mostly because I don’t have the time to wash, then dry, then iron. I love the crisp feel of the fabric so I just keep going. I have never had any trouble, even with my inexpensive material (bought before I knew better). But I can say that the “better” fabrics do make a difference. Its just like baking or kids. You know alot more after your first one. But they all turn out great!
Meran Taylor
Great to hear that you have started! Don’t worry about making mistakes.That is the best way to learn! The first thing you make is always special. You will look back at it in a few years, when you are more experienced, and start picking up on the mistakes, or things about it you don’t like. Then, further down the track again, you will realize it it part of your sewing journey, and love it again!
Teri
Nora,
love the blog. I suggest always shop first at your mom’s house!
Aunt Teri
Julie
I never wash.
Suzanne
I DON’T prewash fabric, I wash the finished quilt. But I DO press my fabric first with lots of Best Press. If it’s going to shrink, it will do so during pressing – you’ll actually see it happen. When you’re done, your fabric will be nice and crisp and much easier to cut. Then when you start piecing and pressing, the steam will set seams beautifully. And if your Best Press is scented, your sewing room will smell delightful every time you use it.
You can test a possible “bleeder” fabric by dampening a Q-tip in hot water and gently rubbing it over a scrap. If the color rubs off, you’ll need to wash the finished quilt with at least 2 color-catchers. I’ve never had a problem doing it this way.
And as far as cutting is concerned, snitch some larger scraps from your Mom (ha ha!)and use them to make a couple of practice blocks. If you make a mistake or two – no biggie – you’ll now know what NOT to do and you’ll feel much more confident when cutting and sewing your good fabric.
But before you do anything else, GET AND WEAR A PROTECTIVE GLOVE when you start cutting. It’s very easy to slip when you’ve not had much practice. I made this mistake (twice unfortunately) and once had to have a hand surgeon stitch my left thumb back together. I’ve had pleasanter experiences. I also recommend sticking those no-slip thingies on the underside of your rulers. Ask your Mom, I forget what they’re called but they’re inexpensive, available at Joann’s and lots of online vendors (like Amazon). They’ve helped me a lot.
Just dive in and swim; you’ll do fine. Nice color choices by the way; should make a very pretty quilt.
LOVE your photos!!!!!!!
Joni Keskey
Tip for not overdoing it in the fabric shop—don’t go. Good luck. 😜
Suzanne
Oh sure! Virtually impossible! I can’t even walk past a fabric display anywhere without feeling that magnetic pull that yanks me sideways toward it. The same happens when I’m outside a fabric/craft store. I think quilters have more iron in their blood. Hey, it’s as good an excuse as any right??? ;-}
Bette
Always prewash! You have no idea what chemicals were in your fabric nor what it was exposed to during shipping. Now matter how anxious you are to start a project, time spent washing, drying, and ironing yardage safeguards against noxious chemicals, colors that bleed, and uneven shrinkage. Isn’t your finished piece into which you will put so much effort worth that extra care?
On Craftsy, try Debbie Caffrey’s Cut To It or Gail Kessler’s Piece, Patch, Quilt for good beginner info. And of course, your amazingly talented Mom is a great resource!
Michele K
Regarding the shopping: as mentioned by someone, make a list but be flexible.
Look for fat quarters to build your stash IF the store does not add a little to the price for the pre-cutting. (In this case by 1/3 to 1/2 yard. If it is a large print you may want more.
Sometimes I pick a dollar amount and figure how many 1/3’s or 1/2’s that would be, then narrow my choices to that many different bolts.
Or just browse until you get overwhelmed – then it’s easier to go home with just a few.
Best/worst hint – no credit cards or carry your stash cash with you.
Welcome to the club!
Vicki
Prewash. As stated many times above, it cleans the fabric and prevents surprises -bleed/fade. I add a Shout Color Catcher in the prewash. Leah Day has a great video on the prewash or not debate. I would practice cutting with your Mom. You could always cut for her, too. You are just beginning so go with a budget or just what you need for a project. You could make scrap quilts, blocks, potholders, tree ornaments etc. from your Mom’s scraps.
Teressa Clark
Welcome to the quilting world! Jump in and enjoy.
Remember that mistakes happen, some we learn from, others we’ll make again; a good seam ripper is a must have tool. Using the sign ripper is a sign of wisdom, not a sign of failure.
Carolyn Hock
Nora, welcome to the sisterhood! I’m one of the sisters that ALWAYS prewashes, irons and folds new fabric. (I wash reds and blacks twice!) Thirty years of quilting has taught me it’s better to be safe than livid!
Joy Summers
I am one that washes the fabric, just have always prefered to do that. So if I use frixion pens for marking I don’t have to wash the finished product to get the marks out.
Mrs. Plum
Clearly, washing/not washing is a hot topic. Personally, I wash every piece of fabric that comes into my house, even scraps. Recently, I made a red, white, and blue quilt. Even though I had already washed both the red and blue fabrics, I decided to soak them in Dawn dishwashing liquid. (See colorwaysbyvicki.com, go to “tutorials”, and click on “save my bleeding quilt”). OMG!!! It took 3 weeks of soaking, with many water changes, for the red fabric to quit bleeding, and about 1 1/2 weeks for the blue. I have since finished the quilt and washed it, and nothing bled—yay! You also might consider using spray starch to stiffen your fabric when you iron it. Stiff fabric-more accurate cutting=more accurate piecing-less frustration when sewing your quilt together.
As for your other question about fabric purchases—well, I don’t think there’s a cure for fabric addiction. However, it has no calories and keeps quilt shops afloat. I love to “shop my stash” when inspiration strikes when shops are closed. It feels virtuous, even though my husband has yet to be impressed with my viewpoint.
Foxy
I pre-wash everything. But as you can tell, this is a loaded subject. I wash to get the chemicals out before I sew. I also learned the hard way – something my mom put together years before she died. I finally picked it up and began putting it together as an inexperienced quilter. The red bled all over the neighboring blocks and didn’t come out. But I used it anyway. Don’t compare your work with anyone else’s. It will take the wind out of your project and it ends up being discouraging. Have fun. I really enjoyed making all the things for my daughter when she was young. At this point, I’m not sure if she appreciates it, but I sure had fun.
shoshana
just go for it, the worst thing that can happen is you won’t like what you made and then you get to choose MORE fabric and make another one!!!!have a great time, this isn’t rocket science, you can do it!
Pat Knight
Congrats to you so far. Essential you have a good pair of scissors, a rotary cutter and mat and at least one ruler. A basic is a 6” x 12”. And…..your mom is your go to on quilting. If you know that won’t work(my mom had me take a sewing class at the local Singer store in 1958!!!) take a class at a local quilt store—so much better than a video. Good luck and keep on telling us about your family!
Diane
As a sewer of clothes I always pre-washed. As a quilter I do not but will wash quilt with color catcher before giving away. I have had no problems with color bleeding. I do always steam press my fabrics and use Best Press.
Kathie Banks
How fun to be beginning your journey as a quilter!!! Try watching Craftsy class, “Cut to It” Debbie Caffery is the instructor. Her measuring tips are tremendous time savers. Prewash!!! I learned the hard way when I spritzed water soluble markings only to have red bleed all over the white background on a gift for my grandson. Fabric and time are just too valuable to have to redo an almost completed project. Remember what Angela Walters tells us….Close enough is good enough. 😉
worldpresscom986
welcome to the Quilter o the World. I think all quilters are nice ladies and fun to be around. The “wash…Don’t Wash” debate will never be solved.
Margaret Stanulis Ells
I only prewash flannel or reds. I am in too much of a hurry to wait to get started. It’s never caused me any problems. Good luck with cutting, but be kind to yourself…everyone makes a few boo boos!
Cheryl Parker
Pre Wash!!!!! Not only do fabrics shrink at different rates, but, I’ve found quality fabrics also bleed (price of fabric really doesn’t matter). Use color catchers. If you find color on the color catcher, then use Retayne on those fabrics. Worth every penny.
I used to go to lots of shop hops (several different quilt stores in 1-2 days). I finally got smart, and made a list of what I needed. Other than sewing themed fabrics (my weakness) I seldom veered from my list. Great for the budget.
Buy the basic tools. If you need something ‘specialty’ then borrow, or buy when needed. When you cut, use the line of the ruler. Don’t skimp, and cut before the line, but, cut with the full ruler line on your fabric. Those few threads can be the difference between a right sized block, and something too small for your project.
Remember, have fun with your project.
Deb Peterson
I have not prewashed in the past, but recently have decided it is a good idea. Especially fabrics with red and light colors in them. I’ve experienced color running in some items that got wet and nearly lost my mind in horror! Fortunately, after washing in cold water the color running came out.
Anne Richardson
I don’t prewash unless it is a batik I spot teat reds and blacks. If I do prewash I use color catchers to grab the excess dye. Most good quality fabrics don’t run.
Christenna Stamm
I like to pre-wash but sometimes I just press my fabric with steam before cutting or spray with that super mister you showed next to your moms iron. If it’s going to shrink it will when the steam hits it. If I’m washing fabric in the machine I snip across the four corners before hand. It cuts down on the tangled mess of loose threads from the washing & drying. Buy snip I mean like little triangles, 1/4 in. or so…snip, snip 🙂 My fabrics come in, get snipped and go in a stack in the laundry room. They are ready to wash when I feel like it. Oh! Now that my husband is retired and does laundry I’m stacking my fabric in a different room…HA,HA! You will find what floats your boat, just jump in and go. We all learn from our mistakes and thats a good thing!
Cheri
I do recommend washing any red or black fabrics, even the quilt shop fabrics sometimes have a little more dye in them that can leak on to other fabrics, otherwise, I’m good with not washing the fabrics. If you do wash them, it’s a good idea to spray starch them before cutting. Good luck, can’t wait to see what you turn out!
Linda MAtthews
I don’t wash anything – like other I wash my quilts with Color Catchers and find that works well. Hated the fraying and wrinkling with washing and also found the washed fabric took up more space – and I tend to buy what I love and make quilts later so the stash has to be stored:)
ADKKate
I like to wash my fabrics to take care of shrinkage and see how colorfast. Then iron using Best Press before cutting. BP gives the fabric body and seems to help minimize distortion.
Patti Bach
You are adorable and I’m very impressed you got anything done with those little ones around! Well done!
I’m with Mary P… you are helping the economy/your local economy. And nothing ever goes to waste. Save all your scraps and impulse purchases and after you’ve made 10-20 quilts, make a large scrap/picnic quilt and you will find it justifies every purchase you every made!
Barb EMERSON
I do not pre-wash my fabric. And there are no tips for not overdoing it in the fabric store other than leaving your credit card at home and only taking cash :-))
Judy
I started out quilting believing that one must prewash until a trusted quilting buddy, who has many more years of experience, told me she didn’t. After some discussion, I thought I’d give the no prewashing method a try and haven’t prewashed since. Two things I like about not prewashing. One is that I can get to the actual part of cutting and piecing sooner, but most of all I love the way the quilt shrinks after I launder it. All the pieces parts shrink to leave that wonderful texture around the free motion quilting. I haven’t had any trouble with colors bleeding.
Kerry
Buying too much fabric – no cure. I am an epic failure! But glad you are enjoying the process. I think your mum doing a live demo for you would be the best ever option! I like Kimberley Einmo on Craftsy too. She’s a really nice lady to listen and learn from.
Joan McIvor
I loved reading your post. Good luck and enjoy!
I really like Joanna Figtree’s first video on craftsty and Camille Roskelly’s was helpful too.
Have you ever seen Kimberly Einmo’s ruler? It’s AMAZING for 1/2 square triangles and flying geese!! SO EASY TO MAKE. You can youtube the video, but also she has a great class on craftsy and shows you the traditional way to make them and then when using her ruler. I never do 1/2 square triangles or flying geese now without it. She has a great book on blocks using her ruler.
I also LOVE your mom’s books on quilting. She’s amazing.
Joanne L Wilson
Congratulations on starting your first quilt. I love star blocks. I never prewash my fabrics and have not had any problems. I like how the fabric stays stiff when it hasn’t been washed. I love your enthusiasm.
Karen
I like to prewash, but with precuts I just press them really well and go. Enjoy your project!!
Shar
Your fabric palette is appealing! There are some color combinations that always work together.
I always rinse my fabrics in a warm rinse and then dry. I want shrinkage to get over with and color bleeding to be done with. You will learn what colors this is important for if you continue to quilt. Red and any dark colors are my red flags. Besides, if you wash/rinse, then all your fabrics start out in the same condition.
Do enjoy the summer with your family – you won’t regret not cleaning or weeding or doing chores; you will regret not spending time with people you love.
Di Gross
Oh I do love following your journey! My suggestion…when bravery sets in and you start actually cutting and piecing it can be a tad addictive…hah, right?!…so, what I would recommend is planning some uninterrupted time (and don’t be stingy here) so your little ones are cared for and you can enjoy the process. I’m a newbie quilter of three years, started in my late sixties…and I DO LOVE that fabric! Wishing you well and a lifetime of enjoyment!
Lori Hope
I never pre-wash, and it’s not been a problem for me. I wash the quilt before I give it away (which is what happens to most of my quilts) and I use color-catchers.
One of my favorite “Quiltisms” is this one: “Measure twice, cut once, then force it to fit.”
😉
Also, overdoing at the fabric store is an occupational hazard. 🙂
Good luck, and you’re right: it doesn’t have to be perfect!
Mary P
The only fabrics that I pre-wash are the flannels. Always use a “few” color catchers when you wash your quilt. Darker my fabrics are, the more color catchers I add in.
You also asked for tips for not overdoing it in fabric store, don’t think that is even a possibility. But the plus side is we are helping the economy with our purchases. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it….helping the economy!!
Bridget Balthrop Morton
There’s a good video on rotary cutting on Eduquilters.com, a Brevard County, FL project that teaches kids to quilt. This video is for the adults who will be preparing the kits, but it might help. Check out all the fun that happens at Quilt Camp while you’re on the site!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWRtD2T1vpo&feature=youtu.be
Nancy S
I always wash my fabric unless it is precuts (jelly-roll, etc.) Then the size is too small generally. If I wash as soon as I bring them home from the store, they are ready to go when I search my stash. Jenny Doan from Missouri Star Quilt Co. also has wonderful videos.
Sharon Engel
I always wash my fabrics I found out the hard way. One tip for the quilt stores, only take cash, when you spent your allotted amount then you stop. I have to do it that way too. Great job! Sharon in Colorado
Sharon Decker
I never prewash unless I don’t know much about the fabric or it is an intense color I plan to use next to a very pale color. I’ve been sewing for almost 60 years and quilting for going on 30 years. In all that time, I have not prewashed my fabrics. I have only had one item I made that resulted in color bleed and it was fabric from the “J” store. Once my quilts are made, they go into the washer always with a dye catcher. I make quilts to be used so I always wash them before they leave my home.
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