Quilting Quick Tip
Good Morning, Quilters!
Just a quick tip for your Monday.
As soon as you see a bit of fray on the back of your quilt–
Quick! Get the scissors and give it a good trim.
Otherwise those pesky green threads will show through on the lighter sections of your completed quilt.
And don’t ask me how I know…
Happy Monday!
Signed,
Learns-Lessons-the-Hard Way-Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks.
31 responses to “Quilting Quick Tip”
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Been there, done that. The quilting school of hard knocks!
Sounds like a good name for a quilt post! We could all add a few stories!
Speaking only for myself, there’s more where that one came from! Maybe a post on the topic would help me to avoid the mistakes I haven’t yet made.
Dear learn-lessons-the-hard-way-Lori: You are not alone! :o]
Argh!
I learned the hard way too. Now, before I layer the quilt sandwich to baste, I turn over the top and give it a haircut.
I see seams are pressed open. Do you usually do that? Why? It is more work, is t it?
Great question! I opened the seams on this quilt because if I pressed them to one side-to interlock–every other row would have the seams pressed to the white side. I can live with the white seams open on the white side-but not with the blue and white seams open on the white side. Does that make sense? I think I will do a little photo tutorial to explain better. Thanks for asking!
Great tip!.
One more comment on my stiff quilt-
It has lots of seams and both top and back are batiks. Batting is not a good quality and is thin. (It’s been washed).
YES!!!!!!!!! PUH…….LEEZE!!!!! Ask any long armer/quilter who has had the challenge of removing such after finishing a quilt section. “Aargh!!! How could I have missed seeing it/them???!!!!”
Added note: Even the stray white thread(s) will show in those white areas, depending on the thread density of the fabric used.
Thanks so much for this post, Lori!!!!!!
Oh, Boy! Also learned that the hard way with a hand embroidered quilt top that a couple “purple” ends weren’t trimmed quite as closely as they should have been! Loving your posts!
Embroidery tip – if using 2 or 3 ply floss, when I go to the back I split the ply, run one under a stitch on the back and tie a square knot. That gives you two tiny thread ends rather than one thicker one, minimizing show through. Good luck.
Once I’m done with a top, right before layering, I run a lint roller (the tape kind) over the back to pick up any stray threads. It does sometimes pull a few more threads loose from the seams, but they are easily seen and snipped.
This is a great idea! Thanks a bunch.
Yup, two of my last few quilts had purple or red threads show up and I did make an effort to trim the loose ends. Some always seem to escape.
Been there, done that – but only once. I find that using a generous amount of spray starch on my pressed seams minimizes fraying. The starch ‘glues’ the cut edges nicely. Also, I want my pressed seams to stay in the direction I choose, so I kill them with the starch. It softens up throughout subsequent handling anyway and I haven’t noticed it has any effect whatsoever on machine quilting.
Oh, I like this tip. I’m going to give this a try. It makes perfect sense. Thanks Paula!
I’ve used the lint roller method with varying results. Mostly, it is to remove cat hair, but loose threads come off too. It is just when it makes more loose threads than removing. Then, it is time to get out a very small crochet hook (000 or #12–I’ve forgotten which), and slip through the fabric or seam and pull those babys to the right side and snip off.
Feeding your cat no grain organic food will minimized the shedding. Also a cat brushing everyday helps not only your quilts but your furniture and the hair ball situation.
Some fabrics continue to shed threads! But this is actually one reason I rarely make quilts with real white.
I have a tool called ‘knit picker’ (I think it’s called). Has a plastic handle and very fine crochet hook type hook on the end. Works well
I would love to see the quilt in that photo–tumbler and grunge–love it!
Coming soon!
Lori, I’m curious if you still use the Husqvarna Viking free-motion guide grip hoop that you referred to in your blog, probably a couple years ago now. I know you don’t like the gloves, but had been happy with this hoop. Thanks.
Yes! I still use it regularly. I think there are some less expensive ones on the market now.
Thank you so much for all the tips….very helpful for a newbie.
I ” try” to snip excess threads after I sew every seam. When I noticed the ceiling fan helping once, I even got the hair dryer and blew on it with the Cool setting ! Some fabrics seem to fray way more than others. I use starch on some of my pieces but when I wash the starch out of the blocks, more threads come out of hiding, the little rascals..
Thanks for your tips, Marta! Good to hear from you again!
Thank you..out of state for health care, only home for a week and then back again..I am getting a new sketch Doodle pad to go with me. Lost 11 pounds in 4 weeks and have only about 15 to go. But since when was I ever perfect ?!! Only in my dad’s eyes.. LOL. Best wishes for your long jaunt to NC..Have fun and safe travel !
Wishing you the best, Marta! We miss you when we haven’t heard from you! Are you home for awhile now or in between trips?
Thank you, we are in between and know not what the future holds but we know
Him who holds the future. I am sure He knows I have at least a baker’s dozen quilts to sew on my personal wish/plan list. And grandchildren who receive all the hugs I can give! But am learning His will, not mine. So glad many aspects of quilting are portable.. especially doodling! Thinking of trying “free motion” by hand on one block at a time too. Keep on keeping on, Lori. You have been given gifts, not the least of which is teaching others.