Sunday, October 14, 2012

Quilting Along with Leah Day - Week 35

Although Leah Day designed the pattern, Goldilocks to suggest tendrils of hair, I used it in my grandniece's quilt to suggest the tidal patterns on sand. So, when Goldilocks became our Week 35 assignment and I had plans for a quilt with a working title of Shell Collection, I knew I would work up a section of beach.

Front Side of Goldilocks Sample
to be used as a section of beach in
Shell Collection

I found Goldilocks rather straightforward to execute. I can now create flowing lines and stippling with ease. My only hangup was figuring out how many times to echo a line and where to place the next pod of stippling. In retrospect I might have a preferred a few more echoing lines and a few less stipple pods on this piece.

You may find it easier to view the Goldilocks pattern on the backside. However, since I matched the front thread on the back, the contrast between the cream colored backing thread and white backing muslin isn't that large. The backing is a solid color therefore there is no distracting pattern on the fabric the way there is on the front.

Backside of Goldilocks Sample


This was my first time using Quilter's Dream Polyester Batting. I've been using Hobbs 80/20 for years. It helps to preshrink Hobbs 80/20. Whether it is the batting or my new washing machine, preshrinking my Hobbs 80/20 batts has been less than satisfactory. Instead of shrinking and thickening the batt, it tends to stretch and have areas of sparsity. Quilter's Dream doesn't require and actually discourages preshrinking. It does quilt up nicely. However, I noticed some of the poof disappeared when I ironed my sample. The final test will be to see how it handles the soak and blocking phase.

9 comments:

  1. The tidal/beach pattern is so perfect! Your work shows so much growth in your FMQ!!!! Way to go!! Hugs, Doreen

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  2. Love your Goldilocks sample! Let us know the final analysis of the batting!

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    1. Thank you, Doreen and Danielle.

      I'm continuing to experiment with Quilter's Dream. I expect it will be my go to batting. Now what to do with my Hobbs 80/20. I have four queen batts in my stash. I may end up giving them to charity.

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  3. Your piece looks great. Are you supposed to iron this poly batting? I have a poly batting (not Quilter's Dream in my case) for which I ironed a sample block and it FLATTENED it to a stiff piece of cardboard! I was soooo happy that was a test piece and not the actual quilt. The only time I iron a quilted piece now is to remove marked lines or set a signature if I have to touch it up.

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    1. I'm not sure whether you should or shouldn't iron Poly batting. I hadn't thought about it. My guess is that low heat is probably OK. The idea is not to melt the fibers. I'm so used to using an 80% Cotton batting that I always iron my quilts before squaring them up.

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    2. Do they fluff back up after you wash them? (the ironing)

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    3. I'm continuing to experiment, Danielle. My latest sample I soaked and blocked without ironing. It still needs to dry. When I write up my experience on Flowing Lines with Paisley fill, I will continue to discuss my batting as well.

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  4. Love your Goldilocks! Thanks for showing us the backside. I don't usually iron my Dream Poly and Dream Cotton but I have. It has always come back after soaking. Hope you have the same success. ~Jeanne

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    1. Nice to know. Thanks, Jeanne.

      "Thanks for showing us the backside." - That's why I wear the white gloves. :)

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