Unplanned Slow Sunday Stitching

I’m still working on that chevron quilt … do you want to know what happened NOW?  Too bad, I’m going to tell you anyway.  I finished up the borders, clipped any straggler threads, pressed the backing and the top, unrolled the batting … and laid it all out on the two folding tables crammed together for basting.  Only to discover (after multiple, multiple attempts to get everything lined up) that the backing fabric was only 98” wide!   

When DD and I were looking at fabrics for her chevron quilt, I ordered swatch cards of both Bella solids and Kona solids.  I was ecstatic to see on the Bella card that they carried 108” wide backing fabrics … while their gray was a little lighter than we wanted, it would work.  So I found some online and ordered it.  When it was delivered, I prewashed it and set it aside while I was piecing (and unstitching and repiecing) the top.  Their swatch card, their website and the retailer from whom I purchased the fabric all indicated that the fabric was 108” wide. 
Source:  http://storefront.unitednotions.com/storefrontCommerce/

When I discovered that the fabric wasn’t wide enough, I measured it … 98”.  That’s almost a 10% shrinkage rate … way, way more than what would be considered normal.  This is Moda fabric … a reputable manufacturer … I purchased this from a well-known online fabric store … it’s not like I bought junk fabric.  To say that I was frustrated would be an understatement!    Even 12 hours later, I’m still upset. 

I’ve ordered replacement fabric (I checked with DD … she’d prefer not to have a hodgepodgy backing, so using some of the quilt fabric to make a pieced backing isn’t an option).  I thought about purchasing a nice gray print (she loves quatrefoil) for a pieced backing, but given the size of this quilt, I’d have to order 10 1/2 yards – too pricey.  Since I couldn’t find any backing fabrics in a gray print that would fit with the modern look, I’m “stuck” ordering more of the Bella …. and since I want to make sure that all the backing is the same color, I’m replacing rather than supplementing.  And since I have to assume a 10% shrinkage rate, I’m ordering plenty.  (I will set aside what I have now and use it on a future quilt, so it won’t go to waste.)

I did contact the online shop where I purchased the fabric … they were surprised to hear of that much shrinkage and were passing along my experience to Moda.  They also gave me a small store credit … even though I told them that they weren’t responsible for this situation.  I certainly hope Moda does something to make this right. 

I tell you … this quilt has been nothing but trouble!  I’m determined not to let it get the best of me, but truth be told, I’m beginning to wonder! 

Instead of hand quilting for my Slow Sunday Stitching, I’m working on my Martha Washington’s Flower Garden.  I hope to get caught up online this morning so I can get out and do some stitching out on the deck before it gets too hot this afternoon.  I’ll be linking up to Kathy’s Slow Sunday Stitching and to a Quilted Reader’s Garden Hexie Weekend. 

I have a favor to ask from you quilters.  I need some help designing some storage for my fabric and supplies.  I don’t have a dedicated sewing room … I have a portion of a smallish guest bedroom.  I am able to make the sewing space work just fine (it helps that since I hand quilt, the majority of my quilty time is spent in the living room), but I have absolutely no room for storage.  It occurred to me that I have the good-sized closet in that room available to me.  I do store the Ts’ toys in there, but they’re all on the floor … I have several feet of wall space available.  I’d like to have a closet system installed for storing my stash and sewing/quilting supplies.  Obviously I can’t hire an installer until I have an idea of what I need (shelves? cubes? sizes?).  I don’t need anything fancy looking … it’s all going to be behind the closet doors (not to mention I’d rather spend the money on more fabric than on a fancy-dancy storage system).  So any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Next week at this time, I’ll be loading up my van with all that I need for retreat.  I’m looking forward to finally getting to a “real” retreat.  The only downside is that the Ts’ swim team rescheduled one of the rained out meets for that Tuesday evening.  I signed up for the retreat knowing that I wouldn’t have any conflicts (like swim meets) … I had to pass on an earlier retreat because it conflicted with one of the Ts’ birthdays.  I’m so disappointed that I’ll be missing one of their meets!  If the retreat was closer to home (it’s being held in a B&B 2-1/2 hours away), I’d have to give serious consideration to leaving the retreat long enough to attend the meet!   

And speaking of retreats, I’m signing up for the retreat that my guild is offering in September.  It’ll be held the weekend after DD’s birthday and before we leave for Hilton Head … busy times!  September is going to be chock full of my favorite things:  family, quilting and the beach!  Woo hoo!  Is it any wonder I can NOT wait for September to get here?    The only thing better would be to combine the three!

Hope you all have a blessed Sunday!
Kathy