what to do about quilt top that is not flat in areas

[Susan B.]

I have assembled the top except for the last border. In the center there is a large star out of half square triangles that look like diamonds in sort of a lone star kind of star. The sections that are in between the star points are pieced out of rectangles and they are not flat. I don't want to take them apart. I was thinking I could do trapunto to take up the slack or maybe change the seam allowance by sewing over the existing seams to try to make it lie flatter. This is my second quilt. Unfortunately we've lost our camera so I can't post a picture here. Any ideas?? Thanks, Jan

[Susan B.]

Sometimes, a judicious use of steam and iron will help. ops: Sometimes, if you change the direction that your seam has been pressed, that will take up enough difference.
There is also, blocking your quilt which involves wetting your quilt and then laying it out flat (while maintaining squareness etc). I'm not describing it very well, someone help me here. ops: :lol:

Jean in Windsor, ON

[Hannelore N.]

Before you do anything more drastic, block it.

Lorchen

[Hannelore N.]

Do I stretch it out with tape to hold it and wet it and let it dry?? Not sure how to do this??? Thanks, Jan

[Margo C.]

Since it is just the top (not quilted yet) I would suggest steam blocking it. If you can get the area around the "fluffy" center pinned into a firm ironing surface so that it is absolutely square, you can starch and/or steam the center until it is flat. Don't remove any of the pins until it is absolutely dry. Hope this helps!

[Beth A.]

The mechanics of it:

Some people take the quilt from the washer and dry it for 10 minutes or so on warm then remove it from the dryer while it is still damp and proceed to block it.

I usually dry it all the way, then take it and block it, using a spray bottle and plain water to re-wet it. (Not sure why - just habit.)

You lay the wet quilt out on a carpeted floor. If it is dry, wet it with the spray bottle after it is laid out -- enough so that it is not dripping, but is pretty darn wet. Then, starting in the center of each side, begin pinning the quilt to the carpet, using nice strong straight pins (NOT those thin silk pins) and STRETCHING the quilt a bit as you go. (It helps to work with 2 people on this, each on opposite sides of the quilt.) Work your way around the quilt so that it is pinned to the carpet every 2" or so. If "puffy" areas develop in the center, pat them down as flat as possible, distributing the bulk evenly. You will be amazed -- these will dry flat!

As you do this, you want to be sure your borders stay square, so I lay my large square ruler on each corner and border to make sure that those are stretched to 90 degree angles. Even some pretty stubborn border issues can be fixed this way.

When you are done, spray it one more time with the spray bottle and LET IT DRY COMPLETELY!!! NOTE: This may take a while -- even an entire day, depending on the weather -- but that's okay.

When it is dry, that quilt will be square as anything!

Try it -- you'll like it!

Beth, MI

[Beth A.]

I love this site! Thanks so much! I'll let you know how it goes. Jan