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Arts & Crafts

Janeen Miller

2013-05-29 10:12:29

Q-Is it OK to use polyester thread in a quilt?

A-Short answer – YES if you are talking about traditional quilts with cotton fabric. But I’ve always heard that polyester thread will cut the fabric. Many of the stories we hear are mostly myths from earlier generations. If the fabric tears as a result of heavy use, it will usually tear along a seam where the stress is the highest. Piecing is the high stress point on a quilt (due to ‘ironing’ rather than pressing and/or ‘adjusting’ the fit to get the points or seams to match). When Grandma made a quilt, cotton was often the only choice and typical quilting was along the seams or ‘stitch in the ditch’. Today’s machine quilting should not add stress to the quilt. Super Safe Rule for Quilting – Piece with cotton, quilt with any thread. What about shrinkage? Quality fabrics and threads do not shrink like those in Grandma’s time. Most are pretreated for shrinkage (especially batiks which go through numerous hot rinse cycles during the dyeing process). Most cotton threads of today are mercerized. This is a heat and chemical process that creates a smother surface that increases the luster of the thread and makes it easier to dye. Quality cotton thread is spun from long staple cotton which is stronger, softer and leaves less lint in your sewing machine. It may shrink slightly in the wash so treat it just like your cotton fabric. Polyester thread is the most popular thread for general sewing. It is a very strong and economical thread that doesn’t fade or shrink in the wash and does have some give or stretch. The luster, or sheen will fall between that of cotton and rayon. Rayon Thread is the most popular thread used in embroidery machines. It is a high sheen thread that makes a smooth consistent stitch. It shows well when used to embellish a quilt. Silk Thread is very strong and elastic with a high sheen and is ideal for hand applique’. Projects created with silk must be gently washed in the washing machine with mild soap – without bleaching agents. Final thought: For that baby quilt, quilt that is going off to college, or a quilt that is destined for usage rather than being tucked away in an air tight closet, any quality non-glazed cotton or polyester thread is acceptable. The polyester will eventually last longer than cotton. But in 80 to 100 years of use we should expect some deterioration. Quilts are made to be enjoyed and shared. I still remember my favorite well-worn and much loved quilt that didn’t last nearly 80 years – but that one came from Grandma’s time.

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Arts & Crafts

Janeen Miller

2013-03-25 14:19:34

Q-My grandmother made a quilt for me when I was small. I would like to do the same for my grandchildren. I’ve done some sewing but have no idea where to start. What kind of quilt should I make?

A-Visit a local quilt shop – we are fortunate to have a number in the area that offer classes. Find something you like or think your grandchild will like and tell one of the store personnel what you would like to do and what your experience level is. They will be glad to offer assistance. When your grandmother made a quilt she may have found the pattern in a newspaper, carefully cut out the pattern, transferred the pattern to a heavier piece of paper or cardboard, then carefully lay the pattern on her fabric and cut around the pattern with a pair of scissors. The quilt top may have been pieced (sewn together) on a treadle sewing machine and the final quilting was accomplished by stretching the top/batting/back on a quilting frame and quilting by hand. It was a common activity for visitors to sit at the quilting frame and join in with the hand quilting while catching up on the latest news/gossip of the day. Tieing the quilt sandwich together with yarn at intervals was/is an alternate way of finishing the quilt. How times have changed. The introduction of the rotary cutter in the mid 1970s has allowed quilters to more rapidly cut the pieces to be quilted – even multiple layers of fabric at a time for the more experienced. A Myriad of rulers allow the quilter to make fast accurate cuts for the assembly of quilt blocks that were far too complex for grandma’s quilt. Hundreds of different quilt patterns are available in quilt stores or online (fabric companies will offer free patterns using some of their fabric lines). There are even computer programs that will assist you in developing your very own quilt pattern. The fabrics have also evolved. Quality cotton fabrics shrink or bleed color very little, if any, due to the processing they receive before being placed on the quilt store’s shelves. The colors are also more vibrant and varied One recent innovation in fabric presentation is the ‘precut’. A typical precut, dubbed ‘Jelly Roll’ by one supplier, consists of forty 2 ½” strips cut across the width of the fabric (44”) from a given collection. The strips are then rolled into a 2 ½” wide roll and packaged giving the appearance of a jelly roll. Since the fabrics all come from a given collection, color compatibility is assured and the accuracy of the cutting makes for ease of assembly of the quilt. Other precuts come in 10” and 5” squares. Availability of precuts has fostered many new patterns that make use of these pieces. The last several years have seen the emergence of the “Modern Quilt”. Traditional quilts have used a combination of rectangles and triangles to form quilt blocks – applied geometry (scary isn’t it). The Modern Quilt may or may not be geometric but the blocks tend to be much more simple and therefore easier and faster to assemble. The focus tends to be on the colors and less on the intricacy of the block. An example is shown herein. The opposite end of the spectrum is the embroidered quilt. Today’s sewing/embroidery machines are capable of embroidering very complex patterns on relatively large blocks. Technically, these could also be considered a modern quilt although a ‘technology quilt’ might be a better fit. One of these quilts can be completed in weeks where grandma couldn’t have completed one in a lifetime. The final quilting of the quilt sandwich has also changed dramatically. You won’t find many of the hand quilting frames today – we are a country in a hurry and hand quilting is a slow process. You will find talented long arm quilters with machines designed for the finishing process. Plan on it costing 1 ½ to 4 cents a square inch depending on the type of quilting you request. Do get a cost estimate before giving the OK to proceed. The quilter is a unique artist – and every quilt is unique because each quilt contains a bit of individuality from the creator. We are blessed in this area with some great artists. Some do it for the challenge, some for their favorite charity, some for the love of creating something to give to their loved ones – but all seem to enjoy the fellowship.

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Arts & Crafts

Peggy Engel

2005-12-29 10:45:00

: What is the difference between fabric purchased at a discount store and fabric purchased at a quilt shop?

ANSWER: Quilter's today prefer 100% cotton to make their quilts.  Therefore we will limit our discussion to all cotton fabric.  Today's beautiful fabrics are printed on a plain colored base fabric.  The base fabric for a $3 per yard fabric is much coarser and has fewer threads than a fabric that costs $8.00 per yard. Because there are fewer threads in the less expensive fabric, sizing is put in the fabric to give it body.  This sizing will come out when washed and the fabric will become limp and harder to work with.  You can definitely see and feel the difference when you compare the 2 pieces.There is also a difference in printing.  You should expect quilt shop prints to have everything lined up and clearly printed. The color is deep and looks richer.   If a quality fabric mill has a printing problem that fabric could be sent to a chain store.  Fabric companies often hire name designers to create beautiful fabric.  These are often sold only to independent quilt shops. But if a fabric company prints more fabric than they can sell they will often sell these less popular prints to a discount chain.Make your quilts out of the best fabric you can afford to buy; the end result is worth it.

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Arts & Crafts

Peggy Engel

2005-11-01 16:19:00

: I've recently inherited a beautiful quilt from my Grandma. Since I only have sons, I don't have a use for it now but would like to preserve it for the future. How should my quilt be stored?      

ANSWER: If your quilt has sentimental value, why store it at all? Consider displaying your beautiful quilt so that you may enjoy it every day. A quilt can make a great wall display adding color and warmth to any room. If you do decide to display, keep these simple tips in mind: Keep your quilt out of direct sunlight as UV rays are lethal to a quilt and can cause permanent damage. A good way to show off your quilt is to drape it over a fixed object, such as a quilt rack, railing, or curtain rod, but be careful of stained wood, which can harm a quilt.Many quilters will sew a sleeve onto the back of the quilt and then slip the rod through, being careful only to sew into the backing of the quilt. Quilt stores carry quilt hangers, which allows only portions of the quilt to be displayed. One last tip on displaying: If you don't want to stress the fibers in the quilt, don't leave them in the same place for too long. If you decide to store your quilt, the golden rule is: All fabrics need to breathe. Your quilt is no exception. Whatever you do, do not store it in a plastic bag! The best way to store a quilt is to roll it around a cardboard tube. It helps if the tube is covered with an acid-free paper and a cotton sheet. The tube will make for easier storage and the quilt will not have any of the nasty creases that folds create. If you must fold your quilt, take it out every now and then and re-fold it in different directions. Remember that folding will cause the fibers to stretch, which could result in tears later (yours and your quilts').

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Arts & Crafts

Peggy Engel

2005-09-01 07:39:00

:  I keep hearing about something called the 'Quilt Shop Hop'. What is it?

ANSWER: Quilt shops across the United States have joined forces to create an event in their area called the ‘Quilt Shop Hop’. It is a fun event in which quilters and their friends visit several quilt shops during a specific time period. The 2005 Central Kansas Quilt Shop Hop is Friday-Sunday, October 7, 8, & 9.  Eleven area quilt shops are participating this year. Participants start at any one of the eleven shops and pick up a passport. They have this stamped at each shop they visit. Passports stamped at all eleven shops will be entered in the grand prize drawing. The grand prizes include sewing machines, cordless irons, gift baskets and more. A free quilt block pattern is also handed out at each shop and kits are available for purchase. Many shops have their own prizes and drawings. Each shop has a finished quilt on display made from the block patterns that are handed out. This years quilts feature a batik fabric with sunflowers and wheat which is available exclusively through the central Kansas quilt shops.Carloads of quilters and friends show up at the shops laughing and having a great time.That is what the 2005 Quilt Shop Hop is all about. More details may be found at   http://www.centralkansasquiltshophop.4t.com/

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Arts & Crafts

Peggy Engel

2005-09-01 07:39:00

: How do you clean antique quilts or quilt tops?

ANSWER: When cleaning an old quilt we need to be very careful not to use anything to harm the fabrics, and to treat the quilt in such a way that no stress or strain is put on the fabric or stitching. The soap most often recommended for general cleaning of quilts is called Orvus. It is actually a veterinarian product but most quilt shops carry it. If there are stains you want to remove, quilt shops carry a wonderful textile soak that removes the yellow as well as many stains found in old quilts and linens. Another product to try is a dishwasher detergent that contains enzymes. It is the enzymes in the detergent that break down the stain. Read the labels to determine if a detergent has enzymes. I would hesitate to use bleach on old fabric because the fabric content is not always known and it could cause damage.After you decide what product you are going to use to clean your quilt, I recommend the following method:  Spread out an old sheet in the bottom of a clean bathtub. Fill with about 6" of lukewarm water. Mix in the product you are using, then lay your quilt on top of the sheet. You may need to scrunch up the quilt some. After soaking several hours check on the progress; swish the water and quilt around carefully. If the water looks dirty, drain the tub, squeeze some of the excess water out of the quilt, then refill the tub with fresh water and cleaning solution and continue to soak. When done soaking drain the water from the tub and refill with fresh water to rinse. You may want to repeat this step a couple of times.After you drain the final water, get excess out of the quilt again by pushing down on it.  Let it sit and drain awhile then lift it out of the tub using the sheet to support it. At no point are you lifting just the wet quilt or twisting it as this would put too much strain on the threads. I spread out an inexpensive shower curtain liner to lay the sheet and quilt on to dry either on the floor or outside in the sun. After all that work you have a clean quilt to curl up in!

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Arts & Crafts

Peggy Engel

2005-08-01 15:40:00

: I am interested in making a quilt, but I don't know anything about quilting or sewing.  Where do I start?

ANSWER:  The best way to learn to quilt is to take a quilting class. There are a lot of tips and shortcuts that you just won't find in many books or patterns. Even quilters that have quilted a long time may not be aware of all of these shortcuts.  A quilt shop is the obvious place to sign up for a class. Find a shop that you are comfortable in. The shop should be friendly and willing to help you with your fabric selection. You should be comfortable enough to ask them for help when you encounter a quilting problem. When you have found a shop you like, ask for a list of classes they offer, then, zero in on the techniques you want to learn. Do you want to learn how to make a quilt top by hand stitching or by machine? Maybe you don't want to make the quilt top, you just want to learn how to hand quilt. If the class you want is not offered, ask and the shop might add it to their next schedule or arrange a one-on-one lesson.Ask how big the class will be (beginners need a lot of one-on-one attention) and what techniques will be covered. If you want to learn how to machine piece but don't know how to rotary cut be sure this is part of the class. If there is not a quilt shop in your area, the county extension office is a good place to check for classes, also some churches have groups that would be happy to share their love of quilting. If the class you want involves a sewing machine now is the time to get yours out of the closet and become familiar with it again. It is probably a good time to have it serviced. If you borrow a machine, figure it out before your class. Know how to thread the machine, wind a bobbin and make it run. You do not need a fancy machine to quilt, just one that has a nice straight stitch. You cannot beat some of the older machines for a quality stitch.The above steps should keep you busy until it is time for your class. The only thing left is to relax and have fun. Don't worry about making your quilt perfect. You want to leave some room for improvement!

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Arts & Crafts

Peggy Engel

2005-07-01 10:52:00

: Why has quilting become so popular in recent years?

ANSWER: In about 1980 the rotary cutter was invented. It works much like a pizza cutter only its use is to cut fabric, not pizza!  This cutter and the techniques it enables quilters to accomplish, has shortened the time it takes to make a quilt from months to just days. The fact that a quilt top can be pieced in a reasonable length of time makes it much more fun to create. Machine quilting as opposed to hand quilting has also become much more acceptable and popular. This again shortens the time it takes for a quilt to be completed from months to weeks or even days. Another reason quilting has become so popular, is today's cotton fabrics are so beautiful. From luscious florals to whimsical cats and dogs you can find fabrics to fit everyone's taste and personality. The colors range from vivid to subdued and with proper care they will not washout or fade. The last reason for the popularity of quilting today is the social aspect. Quilting is a great way to meet people through classes, clubs, quilt guilds and small groups. When you meet  another quilter you immediately have a common bond and the conversation flows easily. Problems are solved over needle and thread and for a brief time you forget what is bugging you at work or home. Generations are bonded through the shared interests of quilting. Mom may not be interested, but Grandma and granddaughter may both enjoy quilting and share a special relationship because of it that they will always cherish. Quilting is a creative activity and you will be so proud of your first quilt!