Please feel free to correct any of my misconceptions or down right untruths on the subject of care of needleturn appliqued quilts.
I assume needleturn applique, because very little fabric is turned under, is not as sturdy as buttonhole (machine or hand) applique. Therefore quilts made with this method of applique are not utilitarian ones, but are better left for display only.
When I made my GJ quilt, I would wash/rinse the embroideries before incorporating them in the blocks. On my needleturn blocks I have used a Karisma (ceramic) pen to help with placement. I would prefer to rinse it out rather than try to brush out.
Is this possible? Should I use something else instead?
I use a pigma pen for the bits that are embroidered over. That's okay because it gets hidden.
What are your thoughts?
Kayly
11 comments:
I am of no use at all...........
I see the needleturn usually has a 1/4 to 1/8 turned under and if your doing nice little stitches it should be fine but I have not made any and washed and washed............maybe others will be able to offer advice and i'll come back and see what they write..............
I use very small stitches on needle turn applique and I give the applique quilts no extra special care. they get washed and treated just the same as the others.
Miche'le
I'm just a beginner at this but with the number of stitches I am doing an inch it better be sturdy. I use a Frixion pen so it just irons out. At first when I was stitching on the outlines drawn with the black pen it looked all smudged & so dark but no problem, all ironed out as promised.
I actually think needleturn should be more durable than blanket stitch as the raw edge IS turned under and therefore not subject to fraying. I use very small stitches in strong thread and although I haven't washed my quilts over and over, I treat them all the same...stitchery, pieced, applique (needleturn, and blanket). You should be fine to wash the Karisma pencil marks out before or after piecing, whichever you prefer.
While we are discussing these important things,I feel I should share a story about marking pens....I have recently heard of 2 instances where pens such as frixion ones that are said to iron out, merely iron away the mark and the chemical used to create the mark is still present sometimes even after washing. These marks can often reappear in cooler weather, and one lady had a really highly needleturned baltimore quilt completely disintegrate on the outer edge of the shapes (where she'd used the frixion pen) when she washed it many months later.....the chemical of the pen had actually rotted the fabric. Another lady marked onto pale fabric and over time there grew a oily looking mark where she had made a marking error and ironed the error away. At the time the mark was non existent,after ironing, but obviously the chemical was still there only to reappear as an oily mark later. I am steering clear of these pens, having bought some, and now given them to the kids. I'm sticking to the Karisma pencil too Kayly...it is supposed to be very safe, but you do need to wash your work...Good luck with it....
Sorry I've gone off on a tangent, but it would be terrible to spend hours on a quilt and wished you'd known earlier....
Shiralee Stitches - that is a word of warning that everyohe should hear so thanks for passing it on - tangent or not!!
I am not doing needleturn but I think my preference would be - use a light box to place each bit - or judge it by eye.
I use a light box too for placement and a blue ink pen that comes off with a damp rag.
I am keeping up with you gals. Thanks for the inspiration as I too am changing blocks for my favorite things.
This is my first SAL- not official on roster but using your schedule.
Hi ! I'm doing like Laura: light box and blue pen.
So I always wash my appliqué/stitchery before sewing it...I always take a larger size of fabric and cut at the right dimensions after... (it always shrink ) I like the result even if it probably takes more time !!
Florence
Thank you everyone for your opinions and ideas. They do help.
I have made 3 biggish needleturn quilts and even though they aren't for everyday use and just hang on the walls looking pretty, I treat them the same as any other quilt, they get washed in the washing machine and dried in the dryer. So far so good, the stitching has held up and they look great. Just wash in a gentle cycle if you are worried.
oh and I ONLY use the Clover blue pens and I have never had an issue with it not washing out, have heard some horror stories of other brand blue washaway pens not actually washing away.
I use a light box and a blue pen that washes out with very little water. I do the stitching before the needle turn, usually, if possible then just hold it under the water at the sink until the ink is gone, then blot between several layers of towel for a little while, then iron it.
I've not had any problems with this method.
Mama Bear
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