This weekend I'm living life dangerously! Getting a little wild and crazy here in the Podunk Studio all weekend. You see I'm going to start a new quilt this weekend using unwashed reds. WHAT! Oh yes I am! And to put a little extra added danger to the wild ride, most of these are not designer fabrics.
We all need a little excitement from time to time, that's what keeps us on our toes and young. Living life cautiously is an overrated and boring life. Playing with known bleeders isn't easy and if you don't know the ropes you are in for a real treat. But I've got a few tricks up my sleeve because, you know, I'm no fabric snob and have been quilting with crappy fabrics most of my life. I and many of my followers can make beautiful quilts from just about any fabric. I even made one years ago out of corduroy. This cheap cotton fabric will be a breeze compared to that one.
So here's to you my quilty friends! You are the Quilting Super Hero's! Hold your rotary cutters high and know you are my Quilting Hero's! You're fearless quilters with a passion for all fabrics. We do not discriminate, all fabrics are welcome in our studios! Uniting all fabrics! Staying bold and strong against the naysayers. Fighting for truth, life, liberty and the pursuit of quilting happiness!
We are quilters and we are the peicemaker's.
Until next next time....
I hope you find time to stitch up something sweet!
After my most recent bleed, I yanked a TON of red 'quilt shop quality' fabric OFF the shelves and threw them in the wash, not once but twice. The bleed happened on a Quilt of Valor that was to be presented and I was MORTIFIED!! I had to do not once, not twice but three times in a tub of HOT WATER and Dawn soaking for a few hours with frequent agitation then rinsing in the tub and lugging through the house to the washing machine for final rinse and spin. What a MESS. Never washed reds before but will always from now on. Your little quilt looks to be a cutey.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so sorry to hear you had issues, but glad you knew how to solve the issue. Thank goodness for Dawn dish soap and color catchers. I just automatically throw color catchers in the wash no matter how old the quilt. Two weeks ago I had one bleed(Moda) that was about 8-10 yrs old. I think the new to me detergent I was using caused the problem because the quilt has been washed more times than I can remember.
DeleteI, too, love red and white quilts. The issue of bleeding has always been a concern. Glad to read you are not a fabric snob, nor am I. I will tell you the red quantity of fabric shown on the bottom left will bleed. Ask me how I know😂 Anyway, love your preview block and your patterns so I am in for this SAL. ps. I have had expensive designer/manufacturer fabrics bleed and not just red.
ReplyDeleteI fully expected these reds to bleed. Pressing is going to be an issue too. Glad to hear your going to join in on the fun!
ReplyDeleteBest to risk it on a Valentine quilt. 😉 At least if you have a bleed problem you can't fix, pink and red are good colors for a Feb quilt.
DeleteBeautiful just like always
ReplyDeleteThanks Babs!
DeleteI use synthrapol when washing my quilts for the first time. It sets the color vs capturing color that has been released. I made my sister a red and white quilt and there wasn't one bleed anywhere. I never wash fabrics before quilting. If I did, I think I'd probably quit sewing.
ReplyDeleteI've used it and cried because it the results were bad. I still have it but prefer color catchers and Blue Dawn dish soap. Sometimes I prewash sometimes I don't Most of the time I don't.
DeleteI love your Quilting Superhero, Lea Anne? Did you test the reds so you know for sure one is a bleeder, or are you just going to proceed by assuming all the reds will bleed? If anyone can handle it, it’s you!
ReplyDeleteCheap reds always bleed. But the one designer fabric in this group also made a mess. It's ok. I have color catchers and blue Dawn dish soap, works every time.
DeleteLiving on the edge!!! LOVE it!!
ReplyDeleteThe reds and whites you have are gorgeous!!!
The older I get the stranger the living on the edge gets. HA! 20 yrs ago the edge was far more dangerous. Age has it advantages.
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