Sometimes it just pays!

[lhayes1976]

I am spending the bucks on Moda solids. That white stuff from Hancock's is driving me crazy. I finished my whirligig baby quilt top and I I hope once it's quilted and washed--it looks okay. I'm really worried about shrinkage. What happens to a quilt when one of the fabrics shrinks more than another? Does it get all cock-eyed--if you know what I mean?

[shell.scraps]

Re: Sometimes it just pays!

I usually only use Kona solids from Hancock's and have never had a problem with shrinkage......so I really can't be of any help with your question LOL...

This is one reason why washing yardage can be important if you aren't sure of the shrinkage amount. If it's 100% cotton it really shouldn't shrink so much that it throws you off...now if it was flannel or something...that's a whole 'nother story!

[ginampls]

Re: Sometimes it just pays!

advice from a pro was to wash flannels and dried twice... before cutting... ALWAYS...

[mrswindy4]

Re: Sometimes it just pays!

I dont have a Hancocks near me...but I have never had an extremely noticable problem with shrinkage using J's fabrics.
I actually like a little shrinkage...it gives the quilt "loved and used" look, kind of an antique-y look...ya know?

[rebeccas-sewing]

Re: Sometimes it just pays!

I'm really surprised you're having so much trouble with Joann's solids! I've been using their fabrics for years and never have a problem.

After seeing Jenny's tut on a mock cathedral window quilt, I checked out U-Tube to see what a real one looks like. There's a couple of videos of this quilter and her daughter showing a gorgeous cathedral window quilt. A relative started it and they are completing it. It is so gorgeous and she is simply using muslin for the background fabric. Has anyone quilted with muslin? It's economical, comes in white, cream, and beige at my Joann's and is bolted in quite a few different widths. Long, long ago, I think muslin is one of the only materials that was available for sewing so I would think it should do nicely for quilting. Any opinions?

[suzette58]

Re: Sometimes it just pays!

I have to admit I am a huge fan of the Moda fabrics. Sometimes I will run to Joann's to get something to fill in on a quilt and get what I pay for. I went there to buy some fabric for binding and pre-washed the fabric. The woven selvage raveled. I have never had that happen.

[toggpine]

Re: Sometimes it just pays!

I think the other problem is that it is broadcloth instead of 100% quilting cotton. The poly in there will not help matters.

[kelandspence]

Re: Sometimes it just pays!

I use muslin quite a bit and haven't had any problems with it ! I usually go with whatever I can afford at the time. Sometimes I can afford to buy more expensive but most of the time I will just use muslin for the backing or sometimes to use in blocks ! Good Luck !


Kelley

[janluna]

Re: Sometimes it just pays!

I love working with Muslin. I just make sure I get a good quality muslin. The real cheap stuff can shrink a lot.

[rebeccas-sewing]

Re: Sometimes it just pays!

Is there a way to tell the quality of the muslin? I'm assuming if it feels similar to the quilting cotton it's probably good material.

[rebeccas-sewing]

Re: Sometimes it just pays!

if any of you folks buy muslin at Joann's, and you know which is the best one to use, I'd really appreciate it if you'd check the label and let me know which one I should try. This is assuming there is more than one type on their shelves.

[sewmuchjan]

Re: Sometimes it just pays!

I don't have Joann's so I can't help you on that. But the rule of thumb is the more transparent the muslin to lower the tread count. You want the denser looking muslin less transparent for projects. I use muslin with my embroidery and found out the hard way, because of the distortion of my embroidered panels with the cheeper muslin.

Hope this helps you.
Jan G.