Threads all over back of flimsy after washing
09-17-2018, 06:34 AM
#21
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,522
I know you've already had enough tears for this -
But are you sure that you rinsed that top thoroughly? I am wondering about that CLR being destructive to the fabrics?
I have also washed an unquilted top - one of my cats peed on it. I pressed it from the back and the top and then the back again. That was definitely a challenge. Then I laid it on the ironing board and clipped the threads row by row.
I have also learned to not use anything I consider iffy as to durability. I am in the wash-before-cutting group, so if I get a bleeder, I will not use that either. (It goes in the waste basket if I am unable to return it - I will not put it in a donation pile for some other person to have a headache/heartache.)
But are you sure that you rinsed that top thoroughly? I am wondering about that CLR being destructive to the fabrics?
I have also washed an unquilted top - one of my cats peed on it. I pressed it from the back and the top and then the back again. That was definitely a challenge. Then I laid it on the ironing board and clipped the threads row by row.
I have also learned to not use anything I consider iffy as to durability. I am in the wash-before-cutting group, so if I get a bleeder, I will not use that either. (It goes in the waste basket if I am unable to return it - I will not put it in a donation pile for some other person to have a headache/heartache.)
09-17-2018, 08:12 AM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 775
I really sympathize with the 'just squish me' moments! It's pretty human to pull those sometimes... I agree with being very sure the fabric is now clear of any 'spot removers' (cough) and just moving on to see what *really* needs to be trimmed or not. Throw it over the batting and look from the front. Of course you've checked for any weak spots, I'm sure. Wishing you the best of luck finishing - it looks like it will be lovely and snuggly when finished! I'm longing to do a plaids quilt this fall as well. 
09-17-2018, 04:56 PM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Southern, Utah
Posts: 1,233
Good luck. Been there done that. I'm sure it will be a gorgeous quilt when you are finished. Don't get discouraged, I've completely removed a whole quilted quilt. Didn't like it after it was quilted so undid all the hours of quilting. Clipping threads will be easier! Yes we understand!
09-17-2018, 06:13 PM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Upstate NY, north of Syracuse Area
Posts: 6,003
Thanks for sharing your list of boo-boos. I, too, have had to learn the hard way sometimes and you made me laugh with your progression! Definitely some things I would have considered doing. I'd say trim only the threads that will show against the white and move on. You've learned a lot and need a win now! It will be a lovely quilt with all of those plaids.
09-17-2018, 07:28 PM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Southwest Idaho
Posts: 5,999
I'd pick a comfortable chair and trim all those little threads, being very careful to not cut a hole in any of the pieced quilt. I would probably press it first, so everything is laying flat, but not really sure about that.
Edited to add: I am ADD about trimming all those extra threads when just doing piecing, much less, if I had to wash the top before it was quilted. I quilt my own quilts on a longarm and have had to unroll to trim a thread when I could see it through the batting.
Edited to add: I am ADD about trimming all those extra threads when just doing piecing, much less, if I had to wash the top before it was quilted. I quilt my own quilts on a longarm and have had to unroll to trim a thread when I could see it through the batting.
09-17-2018, 07:30 PM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Southwest Idaho
Posts: 5,999
Hard lesson but I love that you are finding humor in this journey of learning. Just a quick clipping of threads and you'll be on your way again. Please share your finished quilt when done. I love plaid shirt quilts but have never made one.
Last edited by Teen; 09-17-2018 at 07:32 PM.
09-18-2018, 09:55 AM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Dallas area, Texas, USA
Posts: 3,042
Quit bashing yourself! It's perfectly understandable that you tried to fix a problem. Your writing is very amusing, by the way.
I think this will turn out and not be as much of a mountain to scale as it might seem, unless it's just huge. The beauty of the situation is that if there's a hole or awful stain that can't be fixed, it shouldn't be too terribly hard to switch it out with a replacement piece, since you haven't quilted it yet. I agree with Tartan about just removing the strings from around the white areas so they don't show through. It will take some pressing to get that sorted out and have it flat enough to sandwich without lumps, but other than that, it is not a catastrophe. You probably won't wash an unquilted top again after all the work this causes, but at least it won't have the issues that caused you to try this in the first place.
I think this will turn out and not be as much of a mountain to scale as it might seem, unless it's just huge. The beauty of the situation is that if there's a hole or awful stain that can't be fixed, it shouldn't be too terribly hard to switch it out with a replacement piece, since you haven't quilted it yet. I agree with Tartan about just removing the strings from around the white areas so they don't show through. It will take some pressing to get that sorted out and have it flat enough to sandwich without lumps, but other than that, it is not a catastrophe. You probably won't wash an unquilted top again after all the work this causes, but at least it won't have the issues that caused you to try this in the first place.
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