You see those ruffly edges? Should I be concerned about those?
I don't believe I've ever had this problem before and I'm not sure what to do.
Are my seams a few threads too wide? Are those blocks a smidgen too small? Or both? Or is there some other problem? The center and top edges and corners of the quilt are flat, it's just the lower right and left sides and corners.
I suppose it's possible those ruffles will quilt out but maybe not. If I can improve the situation now I'd rather.
Thank you for any thoughts about this problem!
-Nancy.
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Ruffled edges can be caused by cutting the fabric on the cross-grain instead of the straight of grain. When you cut the width of the fabric strips, they can stretch when manipulated as well as when pressed.
ReplyDeleteOh, I didn't know that, Chris! Thank you. Should all sashing strips be cut with the length of grain, even the ones that will be placed horizontal in the quilt? I checked the wavy sashing strips on this quilt and some are straight grain and some of cross grain; even a few of the straight grain pieces are ruffled. But now I know!
DeleteI don't think the ripples are all that bad. If they bother you being on the edge of the quilt you could add another border to rein them in. I think they will quilt out just fine.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouraging words, Pat. I'm going to look over the seams on both ends again to see if I was accurate and if so, I'm going to just hope those ruffles will quilt out.
DeleteYou can tame that fullness with a couple of rows of running stitches. Ease that fullness right into submission!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joyful. What a great idea! If I can't get them to flatten any other way I believe I will try the running stitches.
DeleteIf you are hand quilting I think the slight ruffling will be fine and will quilt out.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lizzy. I hope they will! Before that, though, I'm going to look over every seam along the ends for sewing accuracy because both ends are a little wider than the center and every row between. This quilt has offered so many challenges to overcome!
DeleteI agree with the others - that's not too bad at all and will quilt out.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Cynthia. I'm going to go over the seams on both ends to be sure they're as accurate as possible and if so, I'll just hope the quilting tames them!
DeleteAs Chris said, your strips are probably cut on the crosswise instead of lengthwise. I've had good luck getting them to flatten a bit by misting heavily with starch (or even plain water) and letting it dry without pressing or any kind of movement. Also, stay stitching the edges carefully can help a little. Good luck--I don't think it will be a huge problem in the end. If it seems really bad, opening a seam and taking a deeper seam allowance will help for sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen. Some of the strips were cut cross grain and some long grain which makes me think there may be something else going on, too. I'm going to look over the seams along both ends since that's primarily where the problems seem to be.
DeleteI did try your suggesting of dampening the sections with plain water. It didn't seem to make much difference. Perhaps I'll try starch if nothing else works. And if that doesn't work, I'll try the stay stitching.
Such challenges with Cheddarback -- and I'm learning so much!
I concur with the above. I have used the misting technique Karen referenced. As the fabric dries it often tightens up a bit. Any longarm quilters out there will tell you they have seen much worse. This shouldn't be a problem.
ReplyDeleteThank you for offering your thoughts about this problem, Janet. I appreciate them. Dampening with water didn't seem to make much difference but I didn't try starch, so that may help.
DeleteI saw a beautiful quilt top on Facebook the other day and when I looked closely I realized that it had ruffles that were almost folds along the edge. I guess my problem is mild.
I've had this happen numerous times. When I pin baste my 3 layers, easing out the fullness from the middle out, and then quilt it, it generally clears up.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gypsy. That's a really good technique to know and one more option to try.
DeleteI really like Little Rubies, btw. I have a similar issue with colour with those little baskets I'm stitching on dark grey material...is the grey too dark.
ReplyDeleteI think ruffles like that is a common problem. I saw where a long arm quilter had to cut in v shaped wedges to tighten the material before sewing. Now yours do not look anything like the ones this quilter was dealing with. So I'm sure they will work out.
Thank you, Jocelyn. My goodness, that is extreme to have to cut v-shaped wedges into a border! Wow!
DeleteThank you for your thoughts on Little Rubies. I think the grey you are using on your baskets is beautiful -- not too dark at all!
I have had this happen - to a much worse effect. I don't think it looks that bad. Like all above replies; I think it'll work out fine.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your thoughts on the ruffles, juselig. Several others say they have had a similar problem, so I'm sure things will be fine.
DeleteIt doesn't look that bad from here. I think it will quilt out. It is such a beautiful top!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy. I saw a beautiful quilt top on Facebook the other day that had ruffles the folded over the on themselves so I guess these aren't too bad. Just me being particular, I suppose.
DeleteI love those sampler blocks! Have you been following Barbra Brackman's blog about the vintage Sampler's? So interesting really makes me want to make one!!!
ReplyDeleteIf you are sending it to a longarm service for quilting I would not worry about it 'cause they can stretch that out on their frame and if your hand quilting you can ease it in. Even if you bast and quilt on a short arm I don't think that is tooo much fullness to be a problem?! take care!
Thank you for your insights about this quilt and quilting it, Claire. I'll be quilting this by hand and I've found that the ends are wider than the center rows by nearly 1/2" on each side! I'm going to check the seams where the sashing connects the blocks and see if any are too narrow or too wide but if not, I'm just going to quilt as is.
DeleteI haven't been following Barbara's vintage sampler quilts/blog but I'll go take a look. I never used to like samplers but something about this particular quilt, when I first saw it on Gay's site, caught my eye and I decided to do the sew-along. And strangely enough, I have another sampler quilt in the works.