Question Regarding Using Black Fabric in Quilts
01-02-2015, 01:02 PM
#11
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 6,764
I used Kona black in only one quilt and washed the black before cutting. There was no bleeding in the wash and it dried the darkest black I've ever seen. I haven't seen the quilt since I gifted it.
01-02-2015, 01:41 PM
#13
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
Very lovely quilt with bright colors. My only suggestions is to use a dark gray on top and the black in the bobbin so that you can see your piecing stitches. Be sure to buy enough of a 1st quality black fabric because black can be a bear to match if you should run short.
01-02-2015, 11:20 PM
#17
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: England Alton Towers
Posts: 6,673
I use black background often. In my experience the cheaper purchases have faded to a dark, dark grey. This is still acceptable to the pattern. The expensive purchases seem to hold colour better. I worry about colour fade more with reds and blues and purple.
01-03-2015, 03:53 AM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,061
Juist be sire to use the SAME black in the whole quilt. It is like some other colors, may look the same originally but will not look the same after many washings. (Unless of course you use a lot of different blacks as in a scrap quilt, then it is okay).
01-03-2015, 05:35 AM
#19
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Horse Country, FL
Posts: 7,341
That's a beauty. I have a quilt made in the 80s with a black background. The fabric quality was good, but it has faded from the original. That, to me, shows it has been used and loved. Most quilts, coverlets, comforter covers from stores also fade somewhat. Most strong colors fade a bit, but that adds to the beauty IMHO.
01-03-2015, 06:02 AM
#20
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Heart O'Texas
Posts: 83
Totally agree with Feline Fanatic
Any color will fade over time when exposed to UV light. But my experience has been that a good high quality fabric will hold up better over time. So for this quilt I would use either Moda Bella solids black or Kaufman Kona in black. Either will work well.
I made a quilt with a predominantly black background for my brother. It was not a solid but a mottled dark done with fossil ferns line. He does not have pets and the quilt is not exposed to direct sunlight and it looks as good as the day I made it 5 years later. However, while hand quilting it, every cat hair showed up like crazy on it. I had 5 at the time and all are light in color. It took two washes and about half of one sticky tape roller to get it all off.
So if your GD has light colored cats or dogs allowed on furniture then, yes their fur will show up on that black like all get out. But I don't think that should deter you. It is a beautiful quilt and I love brights mixed with black. It is so striking and that is a gorgeous quilt you pictured.
I made a quilt with a predominantly black background for my brother. It was not a solid but a mottled dark done with fossil ferns line. He does not have pets and the quilt is not exposed to direct sunlight and it looks as good as the day I made it 5 years later. However, while hand quilting it, every cat hair showed up like crazy on it. I had 5 at the time and all are light in color. It took two washes and about half of one sticky tape roller to get it all off.
So if your GD has light colored cats or dogs allowed on furniture then, yes their fur will show up on that black like all get out. But I don't think that should deter you. It is a beautiful quilt and I love brights mixed with black. It is so striking and that is a gorgeous quilt you pictured.
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