Will this "quilt out"?

bkay2000

8 years ago

I liked this pattern, but decided to enlarge it, so that it could be used as a throw. (Won't do that again) I had two of these panels and enough fabric to make two of these, so I was making them at the same time. I'm not doing so well on them.

The current border is wavy on the bottom left corner. (It gets one more black border.) I've taken it apart and measured it. The horizontal piece measured correctly. It seems to be square. The vertical piece was too long, so I shortened and put the patterned part that looked wavy on the bottom when I resewed it. It came out a little too long, but still looks wavy. (The striped part is not cut on the straight of grain but on the straight of the fabric pattern.)

I've tried to find where it is not square. I've done about everything I know to do to fix it. I turned it upside down and the border appears to be flat, but the other end waves. (The striped (flowers) part is not cut on the straight of grain but on the straight of the fabric pattern.) I laid it out on a table and used the square up ruler, trying to find what's off, but had not luck finding what's off.

The left side is 3/4" longer than the other. I tried pinning "tucks" in the seams on that side (up where the squares are) and that would make it hang straight. I don't think it would be noticeable.

Any other ideas?

I was so frustrated, I put it aside. I don't want to add it to my permanent UFO pile. I took the second one apart and will go back to the original pattern size. (Don't have any idea what anyone will do with a wall hanging.) This one is further along and I really don't want to start over completely.

bkay

Any brilliant suggestion?

bkay

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Comments (9)

latifolia
8 years ago
Did you square up the printed panel?

I am neurotic and the queen of flat quilt tops. Normally I have no more than 1/8” difference side to side or top to bottom on a queen size quilt. So in your situation I would take the quilt apart and start over.

Make sure your seams are exact, as in you didn’t inadvertently use the regular presser foot instead of the 1/4” foot. Measure each stage of your quilt top, center and bottom. Mark the center of each border strip and pin before sewing.

I wouldn’t use tucks, but that’s me.
susanzone5 (NY)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Quilt it, bind it and use it as a throw. Throws are folded so it won't be noticeable like it would, hanging or on a bed. Wash with fabric softener, and dry it in the dryer to give it tactile texture. Use it lovingly and put the problem out of your mind. There are more quilts to make in your lifetime.
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littlehelen_gw
8 years ago
Good advice from susanzone5!
geezerfolks_SharonG_FL
8 years ago
To start with, I would lay it flat and measure from the seam where the border meets the solid black, side to side every 6" and make sure it's the same measurement all the way. Also measure the rectangles, from seam to seam and see if they are the same. Doing this might pinpoint where there's a discrepancy and make it easier to fix. It might just be my eyes, but the black border at the top left looks like it's a tad wider than the other end.
Char
8 years ago
I agree with susanzone5 as well!
glassquilt
8 years ago
I would cut parallel borders the same length and ease the longer side to fit - sewing with the longer edge against the dog-feet. ¾" should ease in almost unseen.
bkay2000
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Sharon, you're right. That black border about 3/8 of an inch longer on the left than the right. So, now that I know, I can take it apart and fix it. I'll try to see what went wrong and how I got that far off.

Unfortunately, (or fortunately, whichever way you look at it), It's hard for me to accept a mistake and move on. I'm driven to fix it. I'll be taking a break from "Oriental Harmony", though for a while, other than taking it apart. It was a gift, but I think I'll give her the d9p I'm working on. It's bright and cheerful.

Thanks, everyone for your advice. I'm sure I'll need it again when I pick this one back up. It seems like everything turns into another learning experience, which I must like, because I keep doing it.

Thanks again for your help.

bkay
msmeow
8 years ago
Bkay, part of the issue may be pieces that are cut off-grain in order to keep the printed design straight. Those pieces will be prone to stretching.

Donna
bkay2000
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks, Donna.

bkay