?LA quilters -- Bobbles on the back of a quilt

[Teri L.]

I just got my quilt back from the quilters and I noted small bobbles on the back of the quilt( not a large number of them, but enough for me to notice. ) The LA told me these will disappear the first time I wash the quilt. I had not intended to wash the quilt before giving it to my sister but I am reconsidering it.


This is my second quilt that I had quilted so I am not sure if this is typical problem and if I should be concern. Why would this happen with long arm quilting. On a whole the quilting is beautiful and the pattern fits the quilt perfectly...

I have decided I just like to worry a lot... but if you could tell me more about the process of LA quilting I would appreciate it.

Thank you,

[Teri L.]

What do you mean by bobbles? One time I found some tucks on a back after I finished a quilt for someone-- was sick about, but it would have taken a long time to remove and requilt. I gave her a discount and she was happy with that.

[Teri L.]

Bobbles are small twisted threads... I think the tension might be off a little when she sewed it... it was only on some of the quilt... I know she sewed the quilt in two sessions 4 hours one day then 4 hours the next... If I were to stretch out the bobbles the thread might be equal to a stitch or two.

I have decided to leave it alone with directions to my sister to wash the quilt in warm water for the first time then lay flat to dry. I think when the batting shrinks that will pull up the little twist of thread.


I hope so.

[Hannelore N.]

A longarm quilter who does a professional job should get the tension right.

Lorchen

[Eileen K.]

Anna,
Can you tell me-is it the top or bottom thread that's twisted? They are 2 different problems.
eileenkny

[Eileen K.]

bobbin thread and only in one section of the quilt.... I was told she sewed the quilt in 2 sessions of 4 hours each... I think this started up half way through the second session. As I know the other end of the quilt was where she started from..... If I gently pull on the thread it untangles and looks like a little extra thread equal to a stitch... just before the next stitch.

I am thinking the tension on the machine got out of whack..... I am hoping it will shrink up and disappear into the quilt first time it is washed.

[Eileen K.]

Something else to try-
Work the extra thread into the quilt. By this I mean go to the next stitch and give a gentle tug until the twist disappears. Now you have a loop. Keep going to the next stitch and gently tug. After about 4 or 5 stitches, it should all be worked into the quilt.
Hope this helps,
eileenkny

[Hannelore N.]

What thread did the longarm quilter use? I must admit that I have never heard anybody saying that the thread shrinks in the wash. There would be millions of quilts with puckered seams out there if we would have to worry about shrinking threads.

Please, let us know some time how the problem was overcome.

Lorchen

[Hannelore N.]

I was referring to the fabric and batting shrinking when you first wash a quilt.... I rarely pre wash unless I am worried about dye issues... so when you was a quilt you get some shrinkage, puckering and drawing up... I love the look of antique quilts.

The thread will be fine but he batting and fabric might shrink up a little.

[Hannelore N.]

So, if the thread is loose already in places, won't that mean that it gets worse if batting and fabric shrink a little? Or am I missing something here??

Lorchen

[Hannelore N.]

To be honest I do not know as I am not a long arm quilter... I am just going by what I have been told.

When the fabric and batting get washed the bobbles get buried into the batting during the process... I do not know if it was true or not....I think I will find out only when the quilt get washed.... I will ask my sister to let me know.

[Myra U.]

Throughout all of these forums, it seems we all have an opinion on whether to pre-wash or not. Personally (and ONLY personally) I prefer to pre-wash everything I buy. It doesn't take long and I always do it in cold water. There are several reasons:
1. It removes any chemicals used in the manufacturing process.
2. If the fabric's dyes are not stable, it will remove at least most of the dye that would come out when you washed the quilt -- preventing the dye from running into the fabric next to it when it is washed.
3. I can iron everything and fold it the way I want, because I fold it a special way and can then cut a piece off the whole thing without unfolding everything.
4. I find that the fabric 'feels' differently after washing and then I know how it will incorporate into the quilt and 'play' with the other fabrics.
5. If the fabric is going to shrink, it does it when I wash and iron it.
6. It makes me feel safer in my quilting because of all 5 above.

Now, I know that not everyone pre-washes. I'm sure thier quilts are wonderful, beautiful and a lovely part of their lives. I have also heard that for quilts that will be used on a bed, pre-washing is necessary, but if you are making a wall-hanging, pre-washing is not necessary. -- So, many opinions and thoughts. Just wanted to share mine.
MEMA1

[Hannelore N.]

Anna, what happened to your 'bobbly quilt'??

Lorchen (always nosey )