Thursday, January 21, 2010

paintbox fabrics

I've been working on collecting fabrics for Elizabeth's Paintbox quilt-along. I think I've gone a bit overboard, but I can't stop myself! Searching for and matching the prints and solids is so enjoyable; I'm hooked!



These are the uncut fabrics I've collected to far. I've tried to stick with the solids from the Kona rolls, but I had a few fabrics on hand without a matching Kona roll-up strip, so I had to buy solid yardage for those.



I've been sewing for over 20 years, but I only started quilting about a year ago. I would never dream of making a garment with unwashed (washable) fabric, but for some reason, I don't like pre-washing my quilting fabric and typically don't. But, after a friend had a terrible experience with bleeding when she used a Moda charm pack in a Christmas gift quilt, I'm scared not to pre-wash.



Of course, I can't wash the fabrics from the Kona roll-ups, so I decided to make a little colorfastness test swatch. This 24 x 24" swatch has 36, 2" squares each with a solid and it's coordinating print. The plan is to quilt this, overlock the edges and wash it.  If something bleeds, it ruins my swatch, but I'll know not to use it in my quilt.  If nothing bleeds, I plan to use it to make a 20 x 20" pillow. I'm really looking forward to the pillow!

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Love the fabrics and the quilt. So I am a big pre washer too. However, it gets difficult to do that with pre cuts due to possible raveling. So here is my remedy. When you do wash it, throw a Shout color catcher into the washing machine with the quilt and that will absorb the excess dye. If it continues to bleed, repeat the process. It does work and I swear by Shout Color catchers.

Cristin said...

Great colors! I'm following Elzabeth's quilt-along but I"m not joining in this time :-(
I HATE prewashing my fabric, so I don't. I rarely use red so not much else to worry about... and thats probably why I don't use red - it could bleed!

Your quilt is going to be fabulous!

Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts said...

The fabrics are great. This looks like a fun quilt along. I am a pre-washer. I even pre-wash my charm packs but I have never washed a jelly roll. I agree with Jackie's comment about the Shout Color Catchers. They work great! They even took out some red dye that had bled on my white sashing. They are inexpensive and such a quilt saver.

Elizabeth said...

Oooh! This is such a great (and pretty) idea. I'm looking forward to seeing your Paintbox Quilt.

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

good plan to test the fabrics! i don't pre-wash & i've only ever had one issue... luckily it was the back!