Day 8…Needful things for Quilters…

Day 8…Magic Size w/spray handle…you have to get the spray handle meant for spray paint cans…

Spray size (not starch) will make a huge difference in your quilting.  Before, I used sizing, my quilt blocks would always come out small.  This was not due to my 1/4″ seam, it was a scant and not a true 1/4″.  I no longer wash my fabrics.  I think companies have figured the bleeding out, but I also do not do anything using white or really light fabrics, so i am safe…if I for some reason would I use white I would test the fabrics.

Now because I don’t pre wash and I use lots of fabrics form different companies, what was happening is, while piecing my blocks, my fabrics were shrinking because I use lots of steam when I press them.  They shrink ever so little but by the time your block is together you have lost 1/4 to 1/2″ on your blocks.  So how does the size come in?…BEFORE  you do any cutting.  Spray size your fabric, spray it good and then iron it dry.  This helps pre-shrink your fabric NOW before you cut your strips or pieces.  Now you have it all shrunk up, you have added more size to the fabric, it will now cut and piece nicely and your blocks will be the right size!  Then here’s the added bonus….I have always envied my friend Carole’s quilt tops, They are perfect and crisp and they do not have all those little strings on the back…the SIZE also helps with that too!

Now you can buy Magic Size at many places in the laundry detergent isle…and then run to your local hardware store and buy some handles and spray that fabric!

Now the winner for Day 9 is…

comment #Kim KopacDecember 16, 2012 at 9:33 am