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From: jessi1959
Date: 05-24-2005, 12:51 PM (1 of 19)
I have been unpacking and came across my quilt i just finished back in dec. I has been washed about 3x and i have noticed that its come apart already. I washed all my material before i start making quilts so why has this happened? What good is quilt now i have no left over material to fix these 2 places :( It was my first ever trip around the world.. Linda N Canada 
Jessi
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User: jessi1959
Member since: 01-17-2005 Total posts: 49 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 05-24-2005, 05:51 PM (2 of 19)
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Linda is it just the seams are coming apart or the fabric itself is shredding? Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: Quilty
Date: 05-24-2005, 07:05 PM (3 of 19)
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It would help us to respond if you could describe in more detail what kind of damage you have found. Has a seam unravelled because, maybe, the stitching was too close to the edge? Has one of the fabrics worn thin and torn open? Did you use good quality 100% cotton fabrics meant for quiltmaking, or other fabrics of lesser quality or composition? How did you wash your quilt? Could the washing process have been too rough on it, such as too much agitation? Did you squeeze or spin out most of the water before lifting the wet quilt? A wet quilt is very heavy and the weight on the stitching can cause threads to break or fabric to tear. How did you dry the wet quilt? Did you dry it flat as normally recommended (or thrown over a bush so that it was well supported - another good recommendation) or hang it on a line (which is a no-no for the reason mentioned above) ? If the damage has happened in only one or two places and you believe the rest of the quilt is quite sound, then would you consider removing the damaged piece and replacing it (by careful hand sewing) with a similar piece. Even although you have none of the same fabric left, the beauty of quilts is that you can use substitutes which will give the quilt "character" and extra interest. It does not have to be a disaster, and sometimes these little problems can lead to an even better quilt than before since you are forced to be creative, step outside your comfort zone, and test the boundaries of the original design. Another idea is to add some applique to your design. For example, how about a number of various shaped leaves scattered over the surface, not just covering the damaged parts but other parts too in order to make it look as though that was your plan all along? It could look as though you had left your quilt outside on the ground on a windy autumn day. Or how about some humourous faces, or simple animal figures, or shapes of items from your sewing room, etc? I once did a sewing course where the tutor's favourite slogan was "never a mistake, always a new design" and that is a good way to approach something like this. You have been given an opportunity to be creative and re-create your quilt in a slightly different way. Hope some of these ideas help you think about what you might do to recover from your disappointing find. ...and then my heart with pleasure fills,
and dances with the daffodils. Wordsworth (1770-1850) |
User: Quilty
Member since: 01-07-2005 Total posts: 26 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 05-24-2005, 07:43 PM (4 of 19)
Linda, I was wondering if it is tearing the material where it is stitched. Did you use cotton fabric with polyester thread? Quilters that I know usually say never use a polyester or a poly-cotton blend thread to sew your quilt top. Polyester is stronger than cotton and when you wash it, the thread will tear the cotton and your quilt will fall apart. 
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: Quilty
Date: 05-24-2005, 08:14 PM (5 of 19)
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The "purists" among us will use only cotton thread to sew and quilt their quilts, and that is certainly the way to go for heirloom quilts or any other quilts that are regarded more special than utility ones. But it is quite commonly done to sew a 100% cotton quilt using cotton-polyester, or polyester, thread and it should stand up to normal use for quite a long time before any wear becomes apparent. However, you are right that polyester is stronger than cotton and will eventually wear through cotton threads in time and depending on how the quilt is treated. I have sewn quilts using cotton-poly thread and they have lasted more than a decade and still look just fine. I would not expect to see that kind of wear happening in a quilt made only last December unless it was given an exceedingly rough time, indeed, was totally abused! But this does lead to another question... Jessi1959, you say that your quilt was finished last December and has been washed about 3 times. You may need to consider what kind of use this quilt is being given to require each of those washings. Quilts often manage with just being aired, or shaken out, or lightly vacuumed, or spot cleaned, rather than given a full wash which is always that much harder on them. Frequent washing will wear any fabric. Even so, good quality fabrics should be able to survive more than 6 months without coming to grief! ...and then my heart with pleasure fills,
and dances with the daffodils. Wordsworth (1770-1850) |
User: Quilty
Member since: 01-07-2005 Total posts: 26
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 05-24-2005, 09:08 PM (6 of 19)
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first off I am no means a quilter but........if you can scan the material that needs to be replaced......then use the fabric sheets to print the material on.....and repair with that so that you keep the same fabric.......just a thought Summer Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: rivas1957
Date: 05-25-2005, 12:23 AM (7 of 19)
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I have been unpacking and came across my quilt i just finished back in dec. I has been washed about 3x and i have noticed that its come apart already. I washed all my material before i start making quilts so why has this happened? What good is quilt now i have no left over material to fix these 2 places :( It was my first ever trip around the world.. Linda N Canada Linda, I have had the same experience as you. I thought that maybe my tention on the thread was not adjusted right. I am really not sure why this happen,but I know how you feel. I have been lucky though that the quilts that I have made for my grand babies and daughters have just came undone from the seams in some places. I still dont understand why that happened either. I sure hate that you quilt has come apart after all the work you put into it. I hope that someone will have an answer for you. Hope you can find some pieces to fix it.....Pam N Oklahoma |
User: rivas1957
Member since: 09-08-2004 Total posts: 6 |
From: jessi1959
Date: 06-04-2005, 11:10 AM (8 of 19)
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the 100% cotton has frayed apart. if i recall i used polyester thread. It has only been washed 2x but by one of the replys i think i better turn washer down to a more gentle cycle.. I cant believe this has already happened has already got me worried about 2 other quilts i have already started now :(
Jessi
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User: jessi1959
Member since: 01-17-2005 Total posts: 49
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From: chris b
Date: 06-04-2005, 07:28 PM (9 of 19)
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The poly thread could very likely be the problem.You never want the thread stronger than the quilt fabric because it can cause it to fray and/or rip through.I know many people think it doesn't matter,but sometimes it does depending on the fabric and how good of quality it is.
Pfaff 2170,Pfaff 7570,Elna 945
Singer 301A,Singer Redeye,Singer 15 HC Simplicity 2/3/4 Pfaff Creative 3-D digitizing,3-D Fabric Decorator Pfaff PCDMac2.2 StitchBunnyPro,FlutterWhumper Embird,Studio,cross stitch, EQ5....and adding all the time! |
User: chris b
Member since: 01-10-2001 Total posts: 109 |
From: Quilty
Date: 06-07-2005, 05:02 AM (10 of 19)
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As well as the use of polyester thread, I suspect two other possible factors, namely the quality of the cotton fabric you are using, and the width of your seam. The best quality fabrics for quilts are usually those bought at quilt shops and are known named brands. Lesser quality fabrics which may look the same can be bought at the big chain stores such as Walmart for considerably less money. However, this is false economy. These fabrics are early manufacturing runs done on lesser grade cloth basically to test the designs and are definitely NOT the same quality as those which are carried by dedicated quilt stores. Many people purchase these fabrics thinking that they have found a bargain, but it is really a case of you get what you pay for. If the fabric was purchased at a quilt store, then I would suggest taking your quilt back to the store and asking advice from the store owner concerning possible reasons for the damage. It might be easier to determine the cause of the problem if an experienced quilter can actually examine it closely for you. The other possibility I have mentioned is the seam width. I have found that if I skimp on the seam width and make it less than the usual 1/4 inch, then it may pull apart and will have a frayed appearance. Check those areas to see if it is possible that you sewed too close to the cut edge and therefore the fabric gave way. Cotton-covered polyester thread is a better choice than 100% polyester thread as the cotton covering will give some protection. But sewing cotton with cotton is probably always the best match. However, I am still surprised that this has happened unless the quality of your fabric is inferior (in which case I would not be surprised) or the seam was too narrow, or the washing or use of the quilt was too strenuous. ...and then my heart with pleasure fills,
and dances with the daffodils. Wordsworth (1770-1850) |
User: Quilty
Member since: 01-07-2005 Total posts: 26
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From: jessi1959
Date: 06-07-2005, 08:33 AM (11 of 19)
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This is why so upset this cotton material was bought at a quilting store.. I have plans to take it back to the store only still so busy unpacking that it will be a while.. Isnt easy unpacking when cant move around like i use too :( I did check my seams and they all show 1/4 seam. Im starting to think it was the washing that did this cause im a new quilter and didnt know to put washer on gentle cycle :( as for sewing with coton thread on machine my class teacher didnt recomend it cause coton thread can really mess up a sewing machine she said?? Who do i listen too who knows best?? Jessi
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User: jessi1959
Member since: 01-17-2005 Total posts: 49
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From: carman
Date: 06-07-2005, 09:16 AM (12 of 19)
| cotton thread does not mess up your machine, that is a new one to me, i have used cotton threads for years, that is one bit of advice i would ignore. |
User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692 
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From: chris b
Date: 06-07-2005, 09:53 AM (13 of 19)
Cotton thread does not mess a machine up!It will cause more lint that needs to be cleaned out more often but other than that there is no problem.Most quilting thread is cotton,just make sure you are using machine quilting thread and not hand quilting thread.My guess would be that the shop didn't sell cotton thread?It makes me angry when people tell other people ridiculous things because they want you to buy what they have. 
Pfaff 2170,Pfaff 7570,Elna 945
Singer 301A,Singer Redeye,Singer 15 HC Simplicity 2/3/4 Pfaff Creative 3-D digitizing,3-D Fabric Decorator Pfaff PCDMac2.2 StitchBunnyPro,FlutterWhumper Embird,Studio,cross stitch, EQ5....and adding all the time! |
User: chris b
Member since: 01-10-2001 Total posts: 109 |
From: Susy
Date: 06-07-2005, 08:51 PM (14 of 19)
| I was told that you must use cotton thread to make the patchwork but could use polyester to actually do the quilting? Is this true? |
User: Susy
Member since: 02-05-2005 Total posts: 39 |
From: chris b
Date: 06-07-2005, 10:12 PM (15 of 19)
You can really use any thread you want except for hand quilting thread.That type of thread has a wax coating on it you don't want in your machine.I prefer using all cotton thread for both piecing and quilting but that is just because of the strength factor.I'd rather my seams come apart than the fabric to rip. If I had to choose which part I'd use poly thread on the quilting part definately would be the one I'd pick.So yes it is true.People use all kinds of different threads for the quilting.From 12# cotton to metallic and all stuff in between,depends on the effect you want.
Pfaff 2170,Pfaff 7570,Elna 945
Singer 301A,Singer Redeye,Singer 15 HC Simplicity 2/3/4 Pfaff Creative 3-D digitizing,3-D Fabric Decorator Pfaff PCDMac2.2 StitchBunnyPro,FlutterWhumper Embird,Studio,cross stitch, EQ5....and adding all the time! |
User: chris b
Member since: 01-10-2001 Total posts: 109 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 06-08-2005, 12:33 PM (16 of 19)
Dual Duty thread by coats and clark will certainly mess up my sewing machine.. Yes, the cotton covered polyester core sewing thread.. It shreds in my machine every time I try to sew with it.. I had to give away a whole shoebox full of it..the shreds get all inside everything and its a mess to clean out.. when I need cotton thread, I use Gutterman (sp). It is a little costly, but my machine is worth it.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 06-08-2005, 05:17 PM (17 of 19)
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Dorothy my Pfaff won't sew with Coat's & Clark either. I just pitched almost a full spool of cotton C&C thread. I was trying to piece quilt blocks with it and it kept shredding and jamming (which is something my Pfaff never does) and I finally yanked it off my machine and threw it in the garbage. Geesh what a pain that stuff was! I think I had it because C&C works okay on my Singer Quantum, but not on the Pfaff. I prefer Gutterman or Mettler but I haven't been able to find the Mettler in cotton, but the Gutterman works great on my Pfaff. This is just an FYI. Hancock Fabrics is now carrying the 100% Gutterman cotton threads for hand and machine quilting. It's a little pricey but better than fighting with Coats & Clark. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 06-08-2005, 10:32 PM (18 of 19)
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Linda....just to add to the debate, check the paragraph "Is it OK to use polyester thread in a quilt?" on this website.... http://quilting.about.com/library/weekly/aa040304.htm I have a Janome and I've used Coats & Clark and Gutterman cotton thread for piecing without any problems. Now I am trying Aurifil threads...FYI here is the Canadian web-site http://www.milltown.ca/studioaurifil.html TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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From: jessi1959
Date: 07-02-2005, 09:37 AM (19 of 19)
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Thanks Judy, I went to sites and from now on im gonna use cotton for sewmachines to quilt with. Just now im gonna have to make sure i buy the cotton for sewing machines not hand quilting.. thanks again
Jessi
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User: jessi1959
Member since: 01-17-2005 Total posts: 49
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