NZquilter

Years ago I embroidered some quilt blocks and matching sashing, enough for a queen size quilt. Unfortunately the fabrics I used where a thin muslin, before I knew better. It became a UFO due to it. I dragged it out today, hoping there maybe a way to strengthen the thin fabrics. I would hate for the whole quilt to come apart after just a few washes. Any suggestions? Thanks!

suern3

You could iron a thin backing on each block, as you do with t-shirt quilts, like feather weight 101. Then just do your batting and backing, quilt as usual. I have made a couple quilts with embroidered blocks. When I do embroidery I back the fabric with muslin before doing the embroidery. It does not make the blocks stiff or heavy.

toverly

I do similar to suern3, I back embroidery with fusible interfacing before embroidering. It helps to hide any travel threads on the back. You could back them after to create a sturdier fabric.

asabrinao

I use a featherweight fusible to sturdy them up. Has really helped in the past.

cashs_mom

A fusible interfacing would probably be the easiest. If you don't want to use a fusible, you could underline each block with another fabric to make it a bit more sturdy.

Teen

Definitely fusible backing should do the trick. It will protect the back of embroidery threads with this strategy, too. Double win.

NZquilter

Sounds great, ladies! I saw Walmart carries Pellon Fetherweight fusible in a 60" wide by 10 yard bolt. I'm glad that there is hope for this UFO. My hubby wants it for our bed!

Jingle

Always so many good ideas on here.

SusieQOH

NZ, so precious that your husband wants you to finish it!!! Can't wait to see the final results.

feline fanatic

Rather than a fusible, I would sew them into a quilt with another light weight fabric and quilt each block enough so that the quilting reinforces. There are plenty of ways to attractively quilt an embroidered block. I have seen many with cross hatch going right over the embroidery and it looked great. But if you don't want to quilt over the embroidery, this quilt is a good example of what I am talking about. Birds of a feather finished
In this link I show pictures of the embroidered blocks both before and after quilting.