blzzrdqueen

I don't know if it's me or the fabric! I think it's a little of both! I think the fabric is too stretchy. So I've used spray starch on it, but it won't hold the starch...hmmm...and it's the only black fabric I have, and I won't buy fabric (I've gotten everything I have for free) so I'm just kinda frustrated. I'm not sure how the corners are supposed to go. Am I'm supposed to trim off access fabric after I sew on each strip? I'm working on the sashing on the first block, so I've torn it out a couple times and tried different ways. What is the right way, can someone tell me?

Lol, I know I'm new and I'll learn and I'll get the hang of it, but I guess I'm just a little daunted right now.

BlueChicken

What kind of fabric is it? If it is a stretchy type you can use an iron on interfacing as a stabilsier, that's how t-shirt material is used for quilting.

The more you unpick and resew, the more distorted the fabric gets.

Be careful when you're ironing too, just "press" the iron gently down the seam, don't wiggle it around because that distorts the fabric as well. I discovered that watching a quilting show on tv and it's made a HUGE difference to my quilting! lol

Once the sashing is on, you can trim the blocks all to the same size. But wait until you have all of them made first, and trim them to the smallest size.

:-)

blzzrdqueen

What exactly is iron on interfacing? I've heard of it but I don't know how it works. I have enough of this fabric that I can mess up a million times and have plenty to work with. If I rip it out, I just use a new strip. I have one more side to go on the block I'm on now, then I'll post a pic of it. I'm not sure what kind of fabric it is, only because I get it all second hand. It's black though, and had no info on the salvege. I know it's definetly not cotton though. Maybe it's a cotton/poly blend, or straight polyester?

Thanks for your help...I know as a Newbie I can be quite a pain with all my questions ;)

blzzrdqueen

Oh, the fabric is also very thin. When you hold it up to the light you can see right through it.

BlueChicken

Iron-on interfacing is a really thin fibrous type fabric that when you apply heat to it sticks like glue. Because it has absolutely no stretch, once it's ironed onto something else it stabilises it and stops it moving in any direction.

That would be my first suggestion, only because I have a tonne of the stuff at home and have used it extensively for a t-shirt quilt. It makes a big difference.

If the fabric is moving a lot, that would be your best bet.

Someone else who has worked with different types of fabric might have other suggestions. Can you post a photo of what you have done so far?

BlueChicken

Seriously, don't worry about it! :-)

I ask heaps of questions too, and find people are very willing to help and share experiences and tips. And even once you've been doing it a while, there's always something that you didn't know or a tip you hadn't heard of before. :-)

blzzrdqueen

What happens after you sew what needs to be sewn, with the interfacing? Does it stay on or wash out?

Here are 3 pics...2 of the block itself with the sashing, and one of the corner or the block, you can see how the black is transparent, sorry it's blurry though, I had to turn off the flash and my camera sucks with no flash.

Moonpi

If you ask at the fabric store, there are usually free handouts explaining the different types of interfacings and stabilizers available. Depending on your choice of hand or machine quilting, and the amount of stiffness you want, you can use different weights. Remember that the shiny or dotted side is the glue, so keep it facing AWAY from the iron.

Tear away and sew-in stabilizers are useful in other ways, but not what you need right now.

My guess, from what you've said, is the fabric is really too thin in its present form to be good for quilting. Even with interfacing, after years of washing, it will break down faster than regular weight fabric. You may be happier with another choice for sashing.

k_jupiter

It's your life, so don't think I am telling you how to do it but...

Garbage in... Garbage out. If you use good quality stuff, your finished product will be nice.

Life is too short to use crap. Even free crap. What you are trying to accomplish is just about the easiest thing to do in quiltmaking. If it isn't working it isn't your fault, it's the fabric. Get different fabric. A yard of Kona black cost about $6.00 even out here in expensive California, less on sale. If you are not willing to invest $6.00 into your craft, well...

You have your answer.

tim in san jose

BlueChicken

Ok, I think I see what you mean in the close up photo.

I would carefully trim the blocks to the same size, and just carry on. Be very careful when handling the fabric, the more handling the more distortion.

And once you've sewn the seam, leave it closed and pop it on the ironing board. Drop the iron on top of the seam and press down (no sideways movement at all, just PRESS). This sets the stitching in the fabric. Then gently open the seam to whichever side you are going to have it on, finger press it lightly open (do a small section at a time) and repeat the press thing with your iron to set it. Make sure there's no steam in your iron either.

You can make it work, take a deep breath and try not to stress. :-)