A Lesson Learned - Check your fabric
09-17-2011, 05:41 AM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 853
Good point. I just spent $15.99 a yard (total almost $60) for a wide backing at a local quilt shop. You would think for that much money that all would be well. It wasn't.
After preshrinking, while pressing, I discovered a whole section of snags, pulls, runs, whatever you want to call them. Nothing I could do about it then as I had already, preshrunk, squared, pressed, etc. Couldn't return it.
I know if I had inspected it carefully, both as she cut it and then turned it over and looked at the other side that I would have seen that. I also know the LQS personnel would have thought I was rather odd and maybe they wouldn't have liked it. But, for $15.99, plus tax, per yard????
After preshrinking, while pressing, I discovered a whole section of snags, pulls, runs, whatever you want to call them. Nothing I could do about it then as I had already, preshrunk, squared, pressed, etc. Couldn't return it.
I know if I had inspected it carefully, both as she cut it and then turned it over and looked at the other side that I would have seen that. I also know the LQS personnel would have thought I was rather odd and maybe they wouldn't have liked it. But, for $15.99, plus tax, per yard????
09-17-2011, 05:49 AM
#32
Power Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Georgia
Posts: 11,189
Yes I learned that lesson the hard way also. But did let one slip by when the sales person was unrolling the fabric and the end of the bolt had writing in what looked like a felt-tipped marker on the inside. When I was ready to piece the backing and was pressing the fabric it bled through. It took up over a 1/2 yard of the fabric so I came up short. I had already cut most of the yardage and used it in the top so had to resort to another fabric for the backing. SO ALWAYS CHECK THE END-OF-THE-BOLT FOR MARKINGS ON THE INSIDE!
09-17-2011, 05:53 AM
#33
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: pacific nw
Posts: 163
I guess I got lucky; this is a tiny, random, clean little slice and is the only "flaw". It wound up being somewhat halfway down and near the edge of the quilt. I think if I had found it earlier I would have been in quite a dither; especially being so new to quilting, piecing, etc. I would have been on the phone to the fab shop, more irritated w them than I already am and created a bit of an over-the-phone scene. I am so glad to read (I guess) that this is a common occurrence. When life hands you lemons . . .
09-17-2011, 06:32 AM
#34
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: northern California
Posts: 1,098
One more reason to wash fabrics before using!
Another solution is to put a loose-winged butterfly or dragonfly over a small flaw. Even though I always wash before hand, I finished a quilt for Japan and when making my last inspection for thread ends (post finished laundrying) I found a small flaw... a hole. I quickly made a two sided butterfly (both back and front) and tacked down the body right over the hole. Actually, I've done it for that reason more than once. :)
Another solution is to put a loose-winged butterfly or dragonfly over a small flaw. Even though I always wash before hand, I finished a quilt for Japan and when making my last inspection for thread ends (post finished laundrying) I found a small flaw... a hole. I quickly made a two sided butterfly (both back and front) and tacked down the body right over the hole. Actually, I've done it for that reason more than once. :)
09-17-2011, 06:48 AM
#36
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 38
Originally Posted by Grama Lehr
Your flakes were a little frosted?? Love it!!
Charisma is a real sweetheart, I can't wait to make a quilt worth of her quilting.
Charisma is a real sweetheart, I can't wait to make a quilt worth of her quilting.
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