BOM 2014 - A-Z for Ewe and Me

[Rita C.]

I did Jane Dunnewold's fabric dyeing class on Craftsy and she recommends Blue Dawn dishwasher liquid when rinsing fabrics to get the colour out, followed by Synthrapol. We don't have blue Dawn here but I do use synthrapol and I prewash all my fabrics unless they are pre-cuts. Then I will just wash the quilt with a little synthrapol in the washing machine. I have to admit I never wash my fabrics by hand, I just bung them straight into the washing machine and give them a wash at 40ºC with a couple of colour catchers. I then tumble them dry to preshrink them too. If I am ever worried about a quilt bleeding I always put about 25ml of synthrapol into the washing machine with it. I use a front-loading automatic washing machine.

[Nancy R.]

I believe that one of the other factors with bleeding is the fabric that takes in the extra dye. Not all fabrics will absorb the dye in the water. So even if a fabric bleeds, it may not be a problem.

What I do is wash all fabric as it comes in the house. I mostly do this because I don't like the chemicals (sizing, etc) that are on the fabric. I feel like I get a better straight-of-grain on prewashed fabric and I believe that on-grain pieces result in better quilt tops. But it can also catch problems with bleeding fabric.

All in all, I don't worry too much about commercial fabrics bleeding. I have a bit of a hoarding problem with fabric (which I don't worry about too much since I'm not in debt), so there's a LOT of fabric in my house. All of it is pre-washed and there have only been a couple of times where one of them has bled onto another one. One time when I did have bleeding was with fabric that I bought as a kit and I pre-washed it all together. There was a purple batik that bled onto a white regular cotton. None of the other fabrics was affected, which is why I say that not all fabrics will absorb the loose dye. I wasn't able to get the purple out of the white fabric, so it is now a light purple fabric to be used in some other project and I'll have to find another fabric to replace it in this project.

So, I guess I don't find fabric bleeding to be a big problem and I don't worry about it too much. I'm not making award-winning quilts and if I do end up having bleeding on one (which has never happened up to this point), then I'll be bummed, but I'll still use it for warmth and will enjoy it. I figure I can either spend my time testing every piece of fabric I use, or I can spend it quilting and I choose quilting. If you are making something that you will be devastated if it bleeds, then definitely do all of the testing.

[Susan B.]

You all are the BEST! Thanks for all of your knowledge. I'm going to take bits from each response & plod on through this task!

[jimmie w.]

I don't know if this is the place to post it but I have a question. The BOM 2014 - A-Z for Ewe and Me quilt was it a zoom quilt? I am trying to see how it was quilted and I can't find it anywhere. I was almost sure that it was a zoom quilt. If not I would appreciate it if it was. Thanks - Jimmie

[Margo C.]

I don't know if this is the place to post it but I have a question. The BOM 2014 - A-Z for Ewe and Me quilt was it a zoom quilt? I am trying to see how it was quilted and I can't find it anywhere. I was almost sure that it was a zoom quilt. If not I would appreciate it if it was. Thanks - Jimmie

see-quilts/zoom-quilts/

[E.M. T.]

My last resort is into the rug making bx !!

[Susan B.]

My last resort is into the rug making bx !!

eh hum, would that be Mug Rugs or real rugs???

[E.M. T.]

Well....naw...the kind under you're feet !! Braided, crochet, toothbrush....sometimes locker hook.
They all use up a lot of old or odd or undesired yardage. Won't matter if they run or bleed a little.

[Lois B.]

Susan, I wanted to ask the same question. I was thinking floor rugs. What kind of rugs do you make, Marilyn?

Tooth brush rugs, locker hook? I haven't a clue.

[Lois B.]

Tooth brush rugs :shock: :? Never heard of making a rug for a tooth brush :P Unless it is a variation on a Proddy rug?http://www.potterwrightandwebb.co.uk...-and-hooky-too

[Nancy R.]

Toothbrush rugs are rugs that are woven using an old toothbrush as the needle:

http://crafts.creativebug.com/make-t...rugs-1512.html

[jimmie w.]

Thanks Margo for your help. Jimmie

[jimmie w.]

Toothbrush rugs are rugs that are woven using an old toothbrush as the needle:

http://crafts.creativebug.com/make-t...rugs-1512.html

Just googled it on youtube too. You know what - it is simple Ponte de Aria (stitches in the air)using strips of cloth instead of thread to make rugs instead of lace 8)

[ANNE E.]

Hi, I am doing the BOM using my own fabric, I haven't yet decided on the fabric for the sashing.....can anyone tell me how much fabric I will need just for the sashing.
Thanks
Anne

[Margo C.]

Maybe Janet has a definitive answer for the sashing, but I'm taking a wild guess here.

I'm not sure what the exact measurements of the sashing strips are, but I estimated about 1.38 yards and rounded up to 1.5 yards will be needed.

Because I don't trust my math (or my cutting! :roll: ) I have bought 2 yards of fabric that may be used for the sashing strips. Of course, I'll probably purchase a couple more fabrics that also might work, so I'll have about $60 just in sashing fabrics! LOL!! Makes the TQS kits look like the bargain of the year! :lol: :lol: :lol: