Sunday, July 6, 2014

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!  Surprised smile 

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.  Bella 108 gray
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!  Baring teeth smile  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!  Surprised smile

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!  Winking smile 

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?  Winking smile  The only thing better would be to combine the three!

Hope you all have a blessed Sunday!
Kathy

23 comments:

  1. Oh so sorry to hear your frustrating adventure with the fabric. I too have a quilt that went wrong from day one but ...the rebel child has finally given in and has turned into a wonderful quilt. I wish you good luck that all will be perfect in the end.
    For the closet, I would go with shelves and it is easy to make them yourself. Take a 1X1 piece of wood the length as the dept of the closet to do the brace. Nail them to both side of the closet. (might need one in the back of the closet too, depending how wide the closet is) Take a piece of plywood (painted, cut the size of the closet and sit it on top of the brace. Start organizing your stash. Enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. shrinkage is one reason I do not prewash backs unless I absolutely have to because of dark color and excess dye. I have a dark brown paisley from moda that was 108 inches and I prewashed it because I thought it might bleed and it ended up about the same as yours and I had to get something different to use. I only prewash if I really think the fabric will bleed

    ReplyDelete
  3. 10% is a lot of shrinkage. It would have been heart breaking to have that happen after the quilt was quilted. I would write directly to Moda and tell them of your experience and provide a link to your blog post about the problem!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh Kathy I can feel and understand your frustration on that fabric! Soo annoying. And your right, Moda fabric is not inexpensive. I have a hard time believing it was 108 inches in the first place like they said. To shrink 10 inches is ridiculous! Even 5 would have been a lot. I think we have all had pieces or projects that have just been "hard" from beginning to end for one reason or another. When this one is done it will be a definite TA DA! moment, lol. As for the closet it is pretty much what my guest room closet is designated for as well. I had moved the toy shelves I had in there out to our utility room when mom moved in. After she was gone I left the toys where they were and have the closet all for my fabric and extra sewing gear. There is a lot of it isn't there, haha? I have both shelves and those little rolling plastic drawers. I have some fabric stacked for easy access, and some smaller more scrappy pieces in plastic bins. I have filled mom's old dresser in their with patterns, and more fabric. Honestly it is in need of a good going through and organization again...sigh. I am always in a hurry it seems when I am searching for something. We took the clothes pole down on one side (just sawed it off, lol ~ left the other side so clothes can be hung when Melody is here) and then bought two shelving units from Home Depot and put them in there side by side with the rolling drawer unit right beside it. Not pretty exactly, but inexpensive, easy, easy access, and gets the job done. I have moved another rolling plastic drawer unit near me in the other room where I sew, and it is NOT attractive, but honestly few people are at my house anymore and it works REALLY well for me to have some of the stuff I need right there. I will be anxious to see what you do with yours, as I am always looking for better ideas of how to store stuff when there really isn't much room. The retreat is near and I bet your excited... I would be! Enjoy your day. We are about ready to leave for San Diego. One of my grand daughters from there spent the rest of the holiday week-end with us, and I need to do her hair yet. Not used to having to do that anymore, but honestly I ALWAYS enjoyed doing hair! sorry for the book!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I read about this on CHQ / it's a shame :( No real storage here either..I have stuff here there and everywhere in either vintage baskets or hat boxes...mostly picked up at the mission store and / or yard sales.

    Probably those plastic stackable type boxes would work in a closet?

    ReplyDelete
  6. So sorry to hear about your shrinkage problem, I would be mad too. I would have opted for a row of chevrons down the middle of the back, a very modern thing to do and the quilt would have been more reversible. But, since you are making it for your daughter you have to go with her wishes. Keep us informed if you get any info back from Moda. I love their fabrics, they are wonderful for hand quilting.

    ReplyDelete
  7. So sorry about your backing problems... and a stall on a flimsy wanting to become a quilt! I just organized my small stash in a tall shelf system my honey built and will show pics this week... if you follow my blog you will see it for ideas that are thrifty and ingenious too! lol He even cut me some wood fabric bolts from thin plywood I picked out! Good luck figuring out from all that is out there what works for you and your scraps... and maybe invite a quilty friend over to help cut and sort once your storage system is in place. I used plastic shoe boxes that were clear and some translucent ones to add pops of uniform color! I love how mine turned out and look forward to seeing yours! Happy slow stitching hexies today! Kathi

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh No!!! Your name really is Mrs. Murphy! I hope the new backing arrives fast! Hope your day goes well - a little stitching will lower your blood pressure and all should be ok. Keep thinking about retreats... ~Jeanne

    ReplyDelete
  9. This quilt has given you more than your share of fits. I'll bet you'll be happy to see it done.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hey Kathy! I thought about you when we visited The Scarlet Thread this week. I knew you would have loved it! I'm sorry the chevron is giving you such a hard time, but I will say it is encouraging to me to know that even you, the very talented and experienced quilter, sometimes has "uh ohs"! Makes me feel a bit better! ha! ha! Hope it is smooth sailing from now on!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh, my...that is a lot of shrinkage! I've used Kona solids a lot and never noticed a problem...I don't prewash, though.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Geez!! This quilt is going to go down in the history books! lol I really am sorry that you have had so much trouble with this quilt. I hope from here things go smoothly! Sorry to say I have no suggestions on the storage idea. I just have tubs under my sewing table and they are a pain to get out every time I need to look for fabric. Have a great time at the retreat!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am so sorry you have had such problems with the quilt backing! Very frustrating for you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. So frustrating about the backing troubles. I shall keep that in mind should I buy wide backing. For fabric organization, may I suggest searching Google images, Pinterest and Houzz for ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a bummer! I bought a layer cake of Moda about a year ago and the same thing happened. I prewash everything since I'm sensitive to the dyes. Those ten inch pieces all shrunk on only one side to 9 1/2". I called Moda and they offered to replace the layer cake, but what good would that do? It would still shrink. Now I just buy bigger pieces.
    Storage? I have stuff everywhere, but it is orderly. Otherwise I couldn't stand it. I think you just have to think what sizes you will need. We are all different with different amounts of the glorious makings for our quilts.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Darn, that is terrible to have that much shrink...so sorry!! Some projects just do that...challenge us from start to finish!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Have fun at your retreat!! I think you will have so much fun. I think it helps me that you said what you did about that backing from Moda.
    Someone like me who barely quilts that is eye opening.
    You sure have had a hard time with this quilt. I know though you will be able to soldier through and it will look wonderful on your bed.
    I hope you have safe travel. Your September sounds wonderful.
    So many things to look forward too in the future.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh, I'm so sorry about the fabric shrinkage! You've certainly had more than your fair share of troubles with this quilt :( Hopefully, you'll remember it with fond memories, once it's done :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. how many yards is it? would you consider selling some?

    ReplyDelete
  20. For your storage, I would suggest a wire shelving system and then using the fabric covered bins or some clear plastic storage bins. So sorry to hear about your backing fabric. That is way too much shrinkage for a Moda fabric. It is not like you purchased a no-name fabric. Looking forward to seeing the finished quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Bummer on the backing. I have the closet in the 4th bedroom for my sewing things. It is a corner with a folding door on the fifth side. I put three shelves along one wall and the last little space I have a hanging cloth shoe rack where I put small bundles of jelly rolls or charm packs and some notions. The shelves have fabrics stacked by colors. Some cloth baskets on the bottom hold bits and parts - needles, pins, thread, etc. I also have a sweater holder on the bar on the other side of the closet for holding 12 inch blocks, finished tops, cross stitch, etc. Good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Have a great time at retreat... that is my all time favorite thing to do!
    Thanks for linking up!

    ReplyDelete
  23. 10 inches of shrinkage is a LOT! I think Moda should do something about that. Your hexies are lovely. Look forward to seeing more. Thanks for linking to Hexie Weekend!

    ReplyDelete

I am SO glad you stopped by! No proving that you're a robot here ... I want to hear what you have to say! ;-)