Its been a l-o-n-g week for me and its not over yet. Too many commitments, expectations from other people, things going wrong or not as expected, disappointing news, some minor vandalism at our house, etc.
I've been struggling with getting my clamshell quilt pinned on my mom's old quilting frame so I could threadbaste it. I had a goal of beginning to big stitch quilt it next week which won't be happening now.
After several tries, I finally got it on straight (maybe) and started basting for the third time when I found stains. If you look closely, you can see gray stains on the light pink and orange clamshells. I can only guess that the prewashed navy striped fabric next to it bled during the cold water soak to remove the basting glue.
I'm going to finish the basting and then I think I have two options but I'm open to any suggestions so feel free to let me know what you'd do! First, I could pick out the two pink clamshells and replace them. That would be a lot of work and I hate to pick out and repair things but it might be better than option two.
Soaking the quilt in Synthropol is the other option. I've never used this product before and I'm concerned about soaking the quilt in hot water which Synthropol apparently works best in. Will it cause the bright colors to fade? Do I want to take the risk? This quilt is entered into the Common Threads quilt show.
I've had a few other quilty things go wrong or maybe just not as I wanted them to but so far, I think the crazy quilt donation wallhanging is turning out well. I should have started this last year but ... ! Never enough time for all the projects I want to do. I don't think you can see the stitching very well but I'm about 1/3 finished.
I was trying to make it less bright but as you can see, that didn't work! Already many offers for it but it will be part of a silent auction at "Women In Conversation", a Mennonite women's ministry event coming up in April. I even wish I could buy it!PS -Denise if you're reading this, don't worry, it will be finished in time!
5 comments:
I wrote a post about this a while back. This is the process I do for hand dyed and commercial fabric. The water doesn't have to be as hot if you would be worried about shrinking.
http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_trips_in_fiber/2011/08/color-fastness-of-hand-dyed-fabrics.html
Email me if you have any questions.
oh! Mayleen how disappointing - half of me thinks leave it, the other half thinks unpick and replace, if it really means a lot to you!!! Difficult decision, sometimes if you wash it again the bleed-through may come out! I'm sure there is an answer out there from someone who has had more experience with these types of issues. I wish you all the best with this, I know how much time you have already spent on this, I hope you find a satisfactory solution!
Goodness sakes! You've had a week from... haven't you? I'm sorry to hear of all your trials, and vandalism too!? It's too much. And now with the stain on your precious clamshell quilt. I've used Synthrapol, but it's been so long ago I dare not comment on whether it will work for your problem, or fade the fabric. I hope someone who's more knowledgeable will be able to help you. Great progress on your crazy quilt though! Wonderful! Hang in there. You're doing fabulously!
One of my customers had bleeding when she blocked her quilt. She followed Vicki Welsh's advice and was very pleased with the results of using Synthrapol. That is what I would do! Good luck!
oh sorry to hear!
I have not used synthropol so I can offer no advice :(
Actually I don't think it's that noticeable with all the colors and patterns going on
Have you tried stepping back and looking at it form a distance?
It's such a wonderful quilt, I know you'll find a good solution!
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