During the January NQC LIVE, Heather Thomas discussed where to begin quilting you quilt, whether to pre-wash your fabric or not and when to use products like Retayne and Synthrapol. She also provided tips for how to tell if you are buying a high quality fabric or not.
Comments
I am new to Ntl Quilters Circle, and, although I am an fabric art quilter, I thought January’s event with heather tho,as was great.
can you quilt with cotton/polyester broadcloth ? thank you dayna
Hi Heather, I am watching from the Blue Mountains about 70klms west of Sydney Australia. I have been told two ways of attaching fabric to the papers in English piecing. One is to turn the material over the paper and just paste the material turnig to the paper on the wrong side. The second is to catch the corners with a stitch or stitch the material to the paper. Kind Regards, Bev
Hi Bev. When I used to do English Paper Piecing a zillion years ago, I did it in front of the telly, with a tray on my lap, an old dish towel folded on the tray, a little bowl of thinned liquid startch, a paint brush and a hot travel iron. I would center the paper on the back of my fabric which was cut a quarter inch larger all the way around from the paper. Then I would lighlty paint the seam allowance with the liquid starch and finger turn it then heat it dry with the hot, dry iron. Then I’d pop out the paper and use it again. The folds were tight and crisp and I could make piles and piles of units in no time at all and the seams never “un-turned”. I’ve always prepared hand applique units in this same way. My grandmother called it Startch-n-press.
Heather, thanks for the great live presentation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marie
Looking forward to new information,
I have a pattern for a baby quilt, but want to make a twin size. Should I basically double the pattern when cutting?
i am going to make a quilting.my frindy is help
Hi.. I just bought some batique today. Sorry don’t know how it is spelled. I am worried about it running tho. It is beautiful fabric and I look forward to working with it. Do I wash it very many times to stop the running, and do I use something special for it to wash in? thanks so much
Where do you get synthropol(sp)?
fold large amounts of material to wash and dry. Fold accordian style along width so you are folding up the length and saftey pin each end. Wash and dry and it doesn’t bunch up
Where do you get the stuff you use to get the extra dye out of your material and how do you spell the name of it?
Nice, simple, beginner color palet
I’ve decided that I want to learn how to do quilting I have bought material that I want to use just not sure what I am to do first, for instance size of the square to use. My first project I have decided on a babies cot quilt. I have bought 3 colours and 1 of pattern. The colours are matching colours in the pattern. Where do I start??
Do you give any teachings on dieing your own fabric?
Thank you so very much!!! Great conversations!
I visited Europe this summer and collected a lot of tea-towels, with the idea of making a quilt with them. I am wondering what kind of stabilizer should be used since these are primarily linens and blends. Or are there other suggestions. Thank you
invisible thread…used on top and bottom or just the bottom or just the top
I am in the process of home machine quilting a 16 block sampler style quilt. Of course every block is a different and I have mixed up some straight line with curves, and some feathers. I have one block that has over 100 squares in that 12 inch block. Do you think it would be okay for me to simply do one of my fancy machine stitches on the seams in that one block? Or maybe do an over all on that one block? Do you think if I do that, is that going to look weird? All the other blocks leave me enough room to do an actual motif, so this would be the only block with an overall.
When quilting with an accent thread such as a silver or gold…my thread will break. What am I doing wrong? The top is breaking and the bobbin thread is is not. What should the tension be set on. I have a Bernina machine 400 series
I have not quilted yet, but it is my goal this year. When you start your quilting in the middle of the block, how do you secure the beginning and the end of the stich? I saw it done in a video class and she did not do any back stitching or knotting.
how would you quilt a tshirt quilt? I usually meander but I have problems with invisible thread breaking on the top (using regular cotton thread on the bottom).
Why do machine embroiderers believe that it is true embroidery. Embroidery should be done the traditional way, BY HAND. I’m a hand-embroiderer. I embroider-quilt!
Different craft. I do both and enjoy
How to you quilt large stitchery blocks in a quilt without overpowering the embroidery? Thanks
my stitchery is very open – hand stitched words and outlined shapes (nothing like applique or solid machine embroidery) – To 1/2″ diagonally machine quilt the blocks you would be stop and starting all the time – often stitching less than an inch before stopping. Is there any other alternatives?
Can you use rubber backed curtain fabric for patchwork, ie table runners or placemats?
Is using different types of material okay to use on the same quilt? such as corduroy cotton polyester
Other than price how can I tell that the fabric I want to buy is a quality fabric. I’ve ended up with some less than desirable fabric from a fairly nice quilt store because I couldn’t tell the difference.
I just bought a quilt kit for my first attempt at quilting. The instructions say not to wash the fabric first. What is your opinion?
How do you put a hole in rocks or shells to stitch onto a wall hanging quilt?
Looking for tips for making the “sandwich” come together more tightly; short cuts on cutting and sewing the top; and binding…in short, I need to know EVERYTHING about making a quilt! My mom was a superb quilt-maker….guess who wasn’t interested, at a time when I could have learned from her??? Thanks for all you do for us!!
Cynthrapal (not sure how spelled). What about Front loading washer, I cannot fill tub and then open it up to add fabric. Suggestions on Front load washers?
Thanks for asking I was thinking that too
synthropol question, front load washer that cannot open after tub is full of water, how do you suggest using in front loader
All the fabric in this quilt is doing that not just certain fabrics
So along the synthropol question, please clarify: can you put all your fabrics (right off the bolt) in the washer to preshrunk/prewash with synthropol? I’m assuming the water won’t be clear. Do you have to keep washing it until the water is clear or can you trust one time is enough (even if there is still colored water)? I usually washed fabrics separate until no more color showed. PLEASE CLARIFY!!!!L!
With your laundry products -at the stores- you will find a box of color catchers– throw a few in with the material- they keep it from bleeding to each other.
Hi Heather! I’m loving using all of your thread! Good to see you.
Can you use a sheet for backing fabric? A lady that does the quilting says she doesn’t like using sheets saying that the stitching on the long arm is difficult. What do you think?
Is using the “Color Catcher” sheet an effective method to prevent fabric dye from spreading?
Hi. I am a hand quilter who is trying to learn machine quilting now. How do i determine a quilting design for the machine quilting for each quilt? Is it a different thought process than when i hand quilted? Thank you
thanks for answering my octagon question …this is tyger
When marking a weighted ?therapy blanket which marking pen would do best on chenille?
In your opinion, what is the best 1/4″ seam guide to use for sewing besides a pressure foot? I need a longer guide due to low vision issues. Thanks so much.
What would make a lighter quilt? I use warm and natural, cotton usually. I have tried a batting with bamboo but it seemed heavy too. I use 100% cotton fabric for top and bottom.
When working on a very old quilt that needs major repair, but the material is tearing and ripping, how do you repair this quilt?
I have one that is like this that I want to fix for a friend!
All the fabric is doing this not just certain fabrics.
Help!! I am a beginner and took on a monumental task of putting together a storm at sea. Loved doing the piecing but now I don’t know whether i should have pressed seams open or not. I have put together a small test block and the diamond points joining with the square in square points are creating a big “lump” when joined. Thank you.
I am just getting started and have been reading books and videos on quilting. I feel overwhelmed and just don’t know how to actually get started.
do you have to wash your quilt fabric before you use it.
Yes. I always wash mine. Manufacturers use different types of sizing/finishing to their fabrics. If you wash it and square the yard(age) you will have far less problems when your whole quilt is finished.
Have you tried resharpening blades with any of the gizmos that are advertised?
Hi Heather…miss your classes here in Denver! So glad I can still get my fix via National Quilter’s Circle.
how to use binding on an octagon shape table top
I’m going to attempt making a Bubble quilt soon. Do you have any tips or suggestions?
I don’t have a website
NO COMMENT–HOPING TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW TONIGHT!
how to bind an octagon piece
Do all quilts have to be cotton? Just starting quilting
Are there any books on making mix media quilts
I will be pre-washing a 4 yards long piece of fabric before using it for a patchwork quilt pattern. Should I cut the piece into smaller segments before pre-washing to have it be more manageable? Thank you.
NO — do not cut it – those sections tend to get all outa shape. Take outa dryer damp and use with a good spray starch to iron. Then your material will have body and Easley handle those new cuts.
i will wash mine like this.i fold it to be like a yard size .i pin every 5 inches with safty quilting pins along all edges.and 2 rows down center so it holds together nicely while being washed. remove from washer remove pins .then ill press it wet and hang to finish the drying .thats my madness.