wavy quilt blocks

[Nicole H.]

HI -

I need some help. I was piecing together some smallish blocks 5" and I noticed the edges came out very wavy. Does anyone have any idea why this would occur or how I can prevent it in the future?

Thanks,
Nikki

[Nicole H.]

Do you know if your blocks were cut on the straight of grain? (ie, threads going parallel & perpendicular to the edges of the squares?) If they were cut out of scraps they may have bias edges, which stretch if you pull on them or don't handle them very carefully.
I'm sure there's other ideas out there, but that's mine...
Florence

[Nicole H.]

Thanks Florence. I was using scraps.

[Nicole H.]

If you are using scraps and are not sure of grain line. you will get the wobbles. Try starching your scraps. The weave will be more stable and less likely to stretch. Betty Ann

[Nicole H.]

Thanks Betty....

Do you have a starch you recommend ?or is any old grocery starch good?

[Teri L.]

Another tip - use some form of a stilletto so that you're not pulling on the blocks as they're headed under the needle. That little bit of pulling will distort the blocks.

[Lynn K.]

And next time, just be a little more aware of where in the block you want the straight grain when using scraps.

We've ALL done it as least once, believe me!

[Anne B.]

You might also be stretching the blocks as you press them. Make sure you lift the iron, bring it down on a spot, then lift it again and move it to the next spot. Don't move the iron back and forth on the fabric.

Ask me how I know this!

Anne in Vancouver, Canada, who finally wised up

[Anne B.]

Handle with care :lol: I know this for a fact, if u are using scraps or not....HANDLE with care!!! Your fabric will give a little...or take a little...u never know. Use Ricky's block method at the end and ur quilt will turn out greate!!!!

[Anne B.]

there have been some other threads about starch, some recipes for making your own, but I'm now using Sta-Flo which you add to water in your own spray bottle, instead of pre-mixed sprays, mostly b/c I was going thru cans so fast, this lasts me longer! I had trouble finding it, just kept on the lookout at every grocery store I was in.
I think once you start using starch & see how much it helps it's hard not to use it again and again and again, so quantity matters :wink:
JMHO
Florence

[Margo C.]

Thanks Betty....

Do you have a starch you recommend ?or is any old grocery starch good?

Nikki, I don't think it matters much, but I usually use Sta-Flo liquid starch (look for the blue bottle) and mix it 1/2 and 1/2 with water in a spray bottle. It can be hard to find (because not many people starch their laundry any more?) but I can often find it at the Dollar General Store or at Wal-Mart, with the laundry products and it's usually up on a high shelf, or down by the floor!!

[Margo C.]

Sorry I did not reply sooner. The last two days were set up and first day for our biannual quilt show in Sarasota so I have been Very Busy. I use Niagra Spray Starch. I have no problem with bug or no problems with flaking. This starch gives the fabric a crisp hand and makes piecing more precise. Hope that helps. Betty Ann

[Margo C.]

I've never used starch (on anything but DH's shirts for work) but all this talk about it makes me want to try it. I'm going to look for Sta-Flo tomorrow. Thanks!
JoAnne

[Margo C.]

Just remember to let the starch soak into the fibers before you put the hot iron to it. That will reduce the amount of flaking that you get. It also helps to apply the starch to the back of the fabric, and iron the front.

[Terry K.]

I am a fan of Mary Ellen's Best Press spray starch. . .it never flakes and doesn't build up on my iron. Terry