'Wot RoTT' exchange

[Margo C.]

Re: Starch- If someone uses starch ( I haven't in decades) - would you have to awash it out before actually using the quilt/object. Doesn't it attract bugs and grow yucky stuff. Is it now necessary to use it?

And, Margo, thanks for your instructions and diagrams re the sewing of the strips.

Glad to help, Terrie! And YES!! I always wash all of my projects as soon as the binding is finished. I find that my piecing is more accurate with starched fabric, and the stitching on my machine applique is much better when the backing is well starched, and I don't need to use stabilizers under the background. For my machine applique, I turn the edges under with Elmer's Washable Glue over Ricky Tims' Stable Stuff, and washing the finished quilt gets rid of all the glue and makes that stabilizer get nice and soft.

No, it's not necessary to use starch, but I think that if you try it you might really like the results!

[Annis C.]

If I'm in I'm going with olive green batiks. The strips are already sewn into pairs. I prewashed but I didn't use Synthrapol, just a color catcher, and batiks don't need starch. I seldom use starch anyway as I never know when my quilts will be finished or washed and it takes more time that I don't have. But I think it's good to use it in some cases and Best Press is my favorite since I don't need much and a bottle lasts a long time.

[E.M. T.]

I use starch and have done so always...for the reasons Margo listed. Quilts get washed and
I've never had any issues with insects, mold or whatever. I will add that Idaho has a dry climate.
I grew up doing the ironing and and have memories of making liquid starch. dampening, rolling ,
wrapping and putting the ironing in the 'fridge! Those were the days !! But it does make smooth
wrinkle-free cotton ! :roll:

[Rita C.]

Well there's no going back now as I have already starched all my fabrics, cut strips and sewn some. It does make the 1" strips more managable and less likely to fray. Rita.

[Annis C.]

I'm in! My strip sets (2 strips sewn together) are now pressed and trimmed to an exact 1-1/2". I will sew the pairs together another day. I ended up starting with 8" strips. Used my guide bars to sew a scant 1/4" each side of the center. (Made a practice strip first to make sure the seam allowance was right.) Sewed scant 1/4" seams on the long sides. Set seams, then cut into 4" strips. Moved the guide bars to sew scant seams down the center again. Set seams, then cut into 1" strips. After pressing they were all really close to the exact measurement but I decided to trim them anyway as a fraction of an inch added 8 times ends up being too much off on these narrow strips. So I placed the 3/4" line of the ruler on the seam and trimmed both sides. Only a few of the strip sets were slightly undersized. When I sew the strip sets together I will use a scant seam again so I will be sure to end up with the right size block.

[Annis C.]

I use starch and have done so always...for the reasons Margo listed. Quilts get washed and
I've never had any issues with insects, mold or whatever. I will add that Idaho has a dry climate.
I grew up doing the ironing and and have memories of making liquid starch. dampening, rolling ,
wrapping and putting the ironing in the 'fridge! Those were the days !! But it does make smooth
wrinkle-free cotton ! :roll:

Yes, I like Idaho's dry climate. But it is humid in Texas and we have lots of insects. And I have a lot of quilts in my closets that haven't been used or washed and many in progress. I do like the fact that the fabric doesn't fray as much with starch. The most I've ever used starch was for my younger son when he was in junior high and wanted his blue jeans starched which was about 20 years ago.

[Margo C.]

I'm in! My strips are now pressed and trimmed to an exact 1-1/2". I will sew the pairs together another day. I ended up starting with 8" strips. Used my guide bars to sew a scant 1/4" each side of the center. (Made a practice strip first to make sure the seam allowance was right.) Sewed scant 1/4" seams on the long sides. Set seams, then cut into 4" strips. Moved the guide bars to sew scant seams down the center again. Set seams, then cut into 1" strips. After pressing they were all really close to the exact measurement but I decided to trim them anyway as a fraction of an inch added 8 times ends up being too much off on these narrow strips. So I placed the 3/4" line of the ruler on the seam and trimmed both sides. Only a few of the strip sets were slightly undersized. When I sew the strip sets together I will use a scant seam again so I will be sure to end up with the right size block.

NOTE TO OTHERS....Just to save confusion.....Annis's technique is completely different from my photo tute. Using my technique, the original strips are cut 1" wide. :!:

[Annis C.]

Margo, I didn't mean to cause any confusion. Your tutuorials are always great and I'm sure will be used by many. I just thought I'd share the method I used for those that might want to try something different. I use all kinds of piecing techniques and use different ones depending on the project. If I were just making a few blocks or using lots of different fabrics I would start with 1" strips too.

[Margo C.]

Margo, I didn't mean to cause any confusion. Your tutuorials are always great and I'm sure will be used by many. I just thought I'd share the method I used for those that might want to try something different. I use all kinds of piecing techniques and use different ones depending on the project. If I were just making a few blocks or using lots of different fabrics I would start with 1" strips too.

Not a problem, Annis! I just didn't want anyone confused with the mention of 1-1/2" strips! Your technique sounds interesting!

[Margo C.]

I joined a couple of days ago and got Rosemary's confirmation! I love the spool quilt and can't wait to get my strips! :lol: Right now I'm away from home for a couple of weeks visiting family so I am unable to look through my fabrics to see what color strikes me. I was thinking about using greens but notice there are already several people doing greens. Maybe dark purple eggplanty colors I'll use! How fun this is. :wink: :wink: Thank you Rosemary for organizing the exchange.

[Margo C.]

Debbie, I bet you couldn't match the same greens others are using even if you really tried! Use whatever makes you happy!

[E.M. T.]

Ok...all finished..waiting for more instructions !!

[Margo C.]

Nice!!

[E.M. T.]

I wanted to say that all my red reel block fabrics were treated with Retayne and tested for bleed afterwards !
I hope they will not be anyones' problem...I have faith !

[Annis C.]

Margo, I didn't mean to cause any confusion. Your tutuorials are always great and I'm sure will be used by many. I just thought I'd share the method I used for those that might want to try something different. I use all kinds of piecing techniques and use different ones depending on the project. If I were just making a few blocks or using lots of different fabrics I would start with 1" strips too.

Not a problem, Annis! I just didn't want anyone confused with the mention of 1-1/2" strips! Your technique sounds interesting!

My mistake. I meant to say strip sets as these were 2 already sewn together which measure 1-1/2".