It looks like we will get some much needed rain today in Southwestern PA. Once again I am looking out my front window and I see some of the leaves beginning to turn. Tess just loves this time of year. I have to laugh every time we go out how she turns her head to the wind and just sniffs all the scents!
Another great week at the shop. I have three ladies working on special projects; two are beginner quilters and one is sharpening her skills. All of them are doing a great job!
I did get a little side tracked this week. A friend brought in attachments to a featherweight machine and asked if I knew what they were. She had contacted me about this machine this spring and even though I have wanted a featherweight for several years, I had decided that I really did not NEED one and gave up the idea. Well, you can guess the rest of the story, can't you? I found out that this had been her mother's machine and she said she could only remember her mother making a pair of curtains on it. My WANT overcame my need and this little sweetheart of a machine has found a home we me. It sews like a dream and this weekend I began making a Quilt of Valor quilt on it. I shall let Jeff take a look at it soon.
Which reminds me! Jeff will be at the shop on Friday, October 2 to pick up machines. Remember get them to me by Thursday because I don't know what time he will be at the shop and he never stays very long.
I had only one delivery of fabric this week, but it is absolutely stunning! (I say this every time I get a new order--LOL) This fabric is Harlow from Northcott. The border print is especially pretty and would make not only a beautiful border for a quilt but also one of the 60 degree table runners. I only purchased three (3) fabrics from this line.
Today's extra information about quilting is about Fabric Care...To wash or not to wash, that is the question! I know many quilters who do pre-wash their fabric, but I do not. I think I am too excited to get my project started. I have been told that if you wash one fabric of your quilt that you wash all the fabrics in that quilt. And I also know that if you are using pre-cuts such as 5 x 5's, 10 x 10's and 2 1/2 " strips DO NOT WASH THESE. I have seen pictures on Facebook of the consequence of doing that! Here are some things to consider about pre-washing your fabric thanks to the advise of the late Nancy Zeiman.
Shrinkage: WASH IT: Prewashing reduces the likelihood of shrinkage after your quilt is complete. DON'T WASH IT: Shrinkage is usually minimal in good-quality fabric. A small amount of shrinkage may help hide machine quilting stitches.
Fabric Finish: WASH IT: Many hand quilters like to wash their fabric before sewing it because it removes chemicals and gives the fabric a softer hand. DON'T WASH IT: Quilters who piece by machine usually like their fabric to feel stiffer. It is much easier to sew on. If you do prewash you may spray starch the pieces. Fabric that is prewashed is more prone to soiling when the finish is removed.
Prewashing or not remains a personal preference. You may want to test the fabric for colorfastness and let that be the determining factor. This remains true of reds. By friend Betty was using a red for sashing and I think she washed in 3 times using the color fast cloths. Each time the cloths came out red, but what really surprised us was that there was no difference in color between the washed and the fabric on the bolt.
OK ladies enough of my rambling on. Have a sew - sew week!
