Monday, December 01, 2008

Christmas coins

The Christmas coins quilt is done-and just in time-the silent auction is tomorrow night. I finished it on Saturday night, actually. And I washed it last night.
The top is made from all scraps and my favorite background fabric ever-Quilter's Only cotton fabric in the color parchment (purchased from JoAnn's).

I stippled it in a larger pattern than I usually do, but it still has that crinkly texture to it, which is key.

The quilt measures 67" x 74". It is a little more squarish than I originally had planned, but that's what happens when you just start sewing with a slight plan. :) Even though that wasn't the original intent, I do like the shape of it.

For the back I used an apple green polka dot. It's a tad brighter than the greens on the front, but it was the best I could do from my stash. I actually like that it isn't an exact match. I quilted it with cream thread.

Last night, when I washed this quilt, I washed it with my Christmas charm quilt and I added a shout color catcher in the wash, just in case. The charm quilt still bled. The deep red squares and the deep teal squares were the culprits. The parchment fabric that I used on the back seemed to absorb the dye, and the color catcher didn't seem to help at all. :( I was able to scrub most of the excess dye out of the back of the charm quilt...there is a slight remnant of dye on it still. There was one patch on the Christmas coin quilt that also turned half red but I scrubbed that out as well, and it seems to have faded the stain significantly. It almost makes me want to start pre-washing....except for the fact that I wouldn't have pre-washed my charms anyway, and they were the ones that bled. At least the quilts aren't ruined for good...they are just slightly imperfect now. Just like the rest of the quilts I make. :) So if you are making a Christmas charm quilt you might want to pre-wash the red and blue charms in your sink and save yourself a little heartache.

76 comments:

Kangaroo said...

how lovely. the backing is almost as gorgeous as the top! well done.

Abby said...

I'm so sad the color catcher didn't work - I love them! I adore using reds, but I'm always so scared and have had bleeding even AFTER prewashing! You win some, you lose some... :) Your quilts are beautiful!

MichelleB said...

Oh No! I'm using the same fabrics for the quilts that I'm working on! And I'm using charms and a jelly roll. I'll have to be extra careful and thanks for the heads up.

Love the way the auction quilt turned out. I hope it goes for a lot!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

hmm, was just thinking I need to take a backing off a quilt I just started to quilt for this reason. You confirmed my suspicion. I better do it before I do more work to it.
Its beautiful though! How can you not love a snuggly xmas quilt! I love little oopsies anyway. makes them unique.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Looks great...someone is going to be a lucky winner.

QuiltNut Creations said...

love it love it love it. i really need to make one of these coin quilts, they are so striking!

Lisa @ Life with 4! said...

those little "oops" are what makes a quilt "homemade". It's a hand process which means those imperfections are "perfect", in my opinion!
Maybe I say that because my projects have lots of imperfections... I can justify it this way! ha ha
The quilt looks beautiful by the way!

Sarah said...

It looks great! I just love those colors!

Alana Jo said...

(((HUGS))) sorry that they charm one bled. I hate when that happens.

Im sure they are still both simply amazing.

Anonymous said...

I'm delurking to say how awesome I think your quilts are.... do you have any recommendations for a beginning quilter? A good pattern to try or a site to send me to for the directions on your awesome stippling . That's totally what makes it for me!

I'd appreciate any recommendations you could share (oooh! maybe that would be a great post!)

Thanks so much!

Beth said...

I prewash my charms in the sink with a little woolite and rinse them until the water runs clear. Then I lay them between two towels and press as much water out as possible and lay out to dry.

Love the coins! Looks so comfy!

Anonymous said...

This one is a beauty! Just a quick question. Are you washing on cold and this is still happening?

jacquie said...

that is strange that the color catchers didn't work with this fabric. i depend on those. maybe i should rethink that! good luck at the auction...i hope that quilt goes for a bundle!

Unknown said...

I love how the Christmas coins quilt came out. I have to say, I am a big pre-washer and always use the Shout Color Catcher. It seems to always do the job. But I think that you did the right thing by throwing it in with the quilts.

Anonymous said...

Both quilts are lovely! p.s. is that snow on your roof? Im in Georgia and would love to have some snow (maybe 1 day of it) Libby

Kristie said...

I love your quilt! It is very nice! Since I never prewash, my grandmother gave me a little hint...use 1 cup of table salt in the wash when washing a quilt for the first time and it will not bleed. I have been quilting for 10 years and have never had any bleeding when using the salt.
Kristie

seemownay said...

I never comment (or rarely) because I feel like repeating myself. Your quilts are SO AMAZING. I love them all! And I wish I could do and spent so much time on them too!

Sarah said...

your quilt is gorgeous - i love the back! i usually use a carbona dye catcher. i prewash my fabrics with it, then wash the quilt with it.

Anonymous said...

Sooo nice! I really like the brighter greens in this quilt.

I've had tremendous luck with Synthrapol and HOT water. The hot water is the key. I had a bleeding problem with one quilt and rewashed it twice more- took out all the bleeding. Now all my quilts get that treatment from the first.

Kimmen

Lissa Jane said...

AJ love the quilt..
I throw in a cloth nappy when I wash quilts.. I haven't seen those 'colour grabber' things here in australia, so I just use an old cloth nappy (diaper for you guys) or an old towel cut up, it seems to grab the colour.. another trick is, if the colour has moved once it'll move again, wash it again and see what happens, you may find the colour shifts..

I am a washer.. I do buy a lot of moda fabric and I've never had one of those run ever.. I also find if you think it might run (red, teals heavy saturated colours) snip a bit of and put it in a jar with some warm water and shake it.. if the water changes colour, well you need to wash the fabric..


Lissa

Andi said...

The quilt looks amazing.
Andi :-)

Amanda Jean said...

sandy,

yes, I did wash it in cold. I was very surprised that it still bled.

aj

audreypawdrey said...

This is beautiful! I also love the parchment quilter's only cotton from Joanne's-I bought 4 yards on Friday. I had the same issue with my tree skirt running, but I was able to get most of it out.

Marit said...

Good luck with the auction. The quilt is lovely. Simple design, beautiful quilt. This quilt will go well with your pretty tree skirt quilt, and I would not want to part with it.

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

Thanks for the heads up. I (usually) pre-wash my fabric but I don't wash my charm squares. I will have to keep that in mind and also stock up on some Shout color catcher thingies.

Jen :)

Sweet Em said...

I love both of the Christmas quilts you've done. I thought of you (via your blog) all last night as I was trying to finish a Christmas gift quilt that I was supposed to give LAST year. I'm so impressed with how many quilts you do! I've almost resolved to find an hour a day (or a few hours a week, at least) to quilt and let loose my creative spirit.

Happy Holidays!

Anonymous said...

Turned out great, like everything you make! So sorry that the two colors bled! I bet it still looks awesome.Have a great day!

Laural said...

Lovely quilt! I'm sorry it bled. I bought 2 charm packs so I'll make sure and pre-wash them.

Anina said...

It's stunning! I'm sorry about the bleeding. That's really not something that happens often is it? (Us non-prewashers should know. :-))

CJ said...

SOOO CUTE!!! I love it! I would have been so sad if it was mine and it bled. Or maybe I would have been mad. :( Sooooooooo if you prewash the charms (sounds like a royal pain in the patootie) is your quilt still gonna have that lovely crinkled look when all is said and done?? I am not of the prewash posse anymore. I want to achieve 'that look'. They really cannot expect quilters to prewash those charms and jelly strips.
Do tell us how much is raised at the auction by your quilt. I'll bet lots!

DIDI said...

Well, NOW I can safely say I have read ALL your blog!

So sorry what happened to the colours. Thank you for the tip about washing fabrics first.



Bye

Katherine said...

Great finish to your Christmas quilt! I love the polka dots for the backing.

Oh, no! So sorry to hear that the fabrics bled. You certainly take it in stride better than I did when I had something similar happen - despite my practice of always pre-washing my fabrics. Those dark fabrics can be merciless when they bleed.

Must ask if you machine wash and dry your quilts?

Emily Herrick said...

What a bummer about the dye. I'm so surprised, too. I use color catchers all the time and they seem to work amazingly well. I can't imagine washing charm squares. Oh, the ironing! :o) the quilts are beautiful!

Patti said...

Maybe someone's already said this - I didn't look through all the comments. Get yourself some Synthrapol so you can include that in the wash water when you wash a quilt for the first time. Should solve your problem.

lera said...

So pretty and festive!

Anonymous said...

Hi,

The quilting looks fantastic. The quilting you do on all your quilts always look fantastic. I was wondering what kind of machine you have for piecing and quilting. Also, do you trace a pattern on before quilting?

They are stunning!

Erin :)

Unknown said...

bummer! I used merry & bright fabrics for my tree skirt and didn't have any problems . . . thankfully! Glad you were able to scrub the excess :) Love the green polka dot - a fun surprise to the back!

Anonymous said...

I really like the larger stippling pattern you used. I like how quilts drape with slightly larger quilting patterns.
Very sorry to hear about the dye running. I have had good luck with dye catchers with new red clothing. The tip about the salt is worth a try next time.
Love your quilts.

Karen said...

These are just gorgeous, as usual! I adore your stippling too. Wish I could do it as well. Every time I see a pic of the coins quilt, I say I'm going to make one also. So, guess I'll start one after Jan. 1st.

Becky J. said...

i hate it when that happens!!! i have one i have to fold in a secret way to keep from showing off the lovely brown spots. uggg at least yours came out :)

Anonymous said...

so beautiful amandajean...i love how you can work those scraps so well.

bummer about the bleeding dye! as much as it won't affect the beauty of your quilts at all, i'm sure that it was still disappointing for you to see.

i hope you had a great thanksgiving!

Amanda Jean said...

erin,

I use a JUKI TL-98Q to piece and quilt all my quilts. I LOVE my sewing machine. I do not trace the pattern on beforehand...it's all done freehand while I am quilting.

aj

Amanda Jean said...

CJ,

I think if you pre-washed some of the charms (I'd only wash the darker ones) you would probably get the crinkly look...because the backing and the batting are still going to shrink up.

aj

Silverthimble said...

What did you use to scrub out the dye that bled where it shouldn't?

Amanda Jean said...

libby,

yes, that is snow on my roof. :) perfect for the christmas quilt photo, don't you think? we just got some snow this weekend. I'd be happy to share some with you. :)

aj

Amanda Jean said...

katherine,

yes, I machine wash (always cold) and dry my quilts.

aj

Amanda Jean said...

silverthimble,

I used a bar of soap--blue bomber soap--that my sister bought me in Jamacia while she was on a missions trip last summer. it's a wonderful stain remover! it helped remove at least a little bit of the dye.

aj

Linda said...

Oh NO! I'm sorry the colors ran on the charm quilt. I certainly never would have expected that! I'v never had a problem with Moda. One of my moda charm quilts has dark red fabrics, too.
Your Christmas donation quilt is lovely!

Anonymous said...

beautiful quilt! i have had great luck with rit "color remover" when things bleed after washing. just dump into another load of wash water and let it sit. it does not harm the fabric at all and removes the excess dye that does not belong there.

Sherry said...

Your Christmas Coins quilt is beautiful. I'm sorry to hear you had problems with your fabrics bleeding. I've made many charm quilts & haven't had any problems with bleeding. I do prewash all my fabrics (not charms of course)so hope I don't have any problems when I wash my Merry & Bright charm quilt (I used a prewashed fabric for the backing). I hope your quilt brings lots of $$

Marie' said...

The coin quilt is just perfect for a quilter like you who is so talented in using scrap fabric. There is so much going on, and yet it all ties together.

Wanda said...

I love the quilt...the crinkle affect is awesome!

Jodie said...

Oh you must have nearly died when you took then out of the wash!

DIDI said...

Excuse me, do you always do the "stipling" without a frame (I don't know the exact word, I mean two sort of loops to tighten the cloth in between.
I am going to be a beginner, will be using a normal sewing machine, and will be making a small blanket for a teddy bear, what do you think would be easiest, with frame or without?
Thank you for your time and patience.
Diana

Caron at Michigan Quilts said...

Your quilt turned out SO pretty! Love the stippling and "crinkle" look. Nicely done!!!

Amanda Jean said...

Diana,

I always do my stippling without a frame.

aj

Anonymous said...

I just made a christmas quilt with some moda charm squares and they bled, too! I'm pretending that the fabric was mottled red to begin with! lol
Amanda

Unknown said...

AJ:
I am a new quilter and have been so inspired by your work. I recently started the log cabin quilt as a present for my daughter for Christmas. I just jumped "in" and started. I hope that I can figure out how to quilt it when I finally have all the blocks done.

You work is awesome!

Alma

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your quilts along with the stories. I have learned that quilters fall into one of two categories on several things and washing is one of them. I am a washer, but I socialize with many who are not. I learned from the washers that spray starch helps to restore the crispness that many non-washers prefer. I've never tried it, but I think my friends hold stock in the spray starch companies :-).

Regi said...

Beautiful beautiful quilts.

I prewash my fabrics before quilting as that is what i was taught. However they can still bleed color a bit. Just makes them more precious I feel. *hugs*

Philigry said...

fantastic! so sweet of yu to donate your time and energy!

sammyjo said...

oh that was lucky at least the stains came out mostly :)

Patricia said...

You've been tagged go here. http://patricia-quiltmama.blogspot.com/2008/12/ive-been-tagged.html

Anonymous said...

So, I'm really new to quilting but feel that I can handle a charm quilt from packs. But now I'm concerned about dye bleed. Is it okay to wash a quilt front, after it's sewed, but before the quilt is backed and finished?

Amanda Jean said...

newbie,

i've never tried washing a quilt top without it being finished. you could try to wash it by hand?

aj

Rose Marie said...

Great quilts and perfect for snuggling under during the Holiday season. I always prewash my fabrics; yet there are still some that continue to bleed out.

jen said...

That is beautiful. I am coveting that coin quilt...

As far as the Christmas charm square quilt- I am surprised it bled. I used the same charm pack to trim some flour sack towels and make some trivets and I washed them all with no bleeding...weird!

Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Looks great! I pre-wash everything now. In fact, when I buy fabric it goes straight to the washroom before it is even allowed to come into my sewing room. After a couple of every irritating incidents I decided the only way to go was pre-washing and I must say I think it is better in the long run. My mum came to visit us and was here for a month so I kept her busy we washed and ironed my entire stash...days and days and days... but in a funny way so rewarding:)

Jodyrose said...

Amandajean and any one else who does not prewash. PLEASE go to dharmatrading company website and order some Synthropol and Retayne for yourselves. Synthropol removes dyes that have migrated, as the case with your Christmas coins and Retayne will set commercial dyes that will not stop bleeding. I have been quilting 30yrs and have yet to have a problem these 2 solutions couldnt help me resolve. (no affliation w/ dharma,it is also available in some quilt shops, and other online venues)
Happy Quilting..Your work is GREAT

Rebekah said...

what a bummer about the bleeding. I mostly try to prewash but sometimes I'm lazy.

Julia said...

okay i've always wondered how you get the crinkly look on a quilt, is that why you don't pre-wash? i've just always been taught for any sewing project to pre-wash. thanks for your imput!

Amanda Jean said...

julia mortensen,

I don't (usually) pre-wash my fabric. and once I finish the quilt I machine wash (in cold water) and tumble dry (on high). and it crinkles up quite nicely. oh, and i use warm and white or warm and natural batting.

aj

Amanda said...

I don't remember exactly how I found your blog, but your quilts are inspiring! I am a fairly new quilter (2 under my belt). and I can't find anything that demonstrates how to stipple. I would love it if you demonstrated that! Your stippling is beautiful!

Amanda Jean said...

Amanda,

there is a stippling tutorial in my sidebar under free motion quilting. it even has a video (but no sound.)

hope that helps!

aj

Kelly said...

I too don't pre-wash my fabrics (a point I also don't like to debate) and I have a solution to the bleed problem: pour a couple of cups of white vinegar into the wash with the quilt. It is the same principle as with Easter egg dyeing, where the vinegar helps the colors adhere to the eggs better. I worked as a denim expert at a high end retail outlet for several years and I used to advise my customers to wash their denim inside out with a few cups of white vinegar in the first load to help the denim retain its color longer. Hope this tip helps!

Anonymous said...

I agree with previous post by Kelly. Try the vinegar in the first wash load - along with Color Catchers. Vinegar helps set the colors. Prior to making clothing, I like to pre-wash or at least soak my fabric with the vinegar/water solution. Like you, I don't pre-wash quilt fabrics, but the vinegar in the wash should help. Here's another trick I learned online: (You might not want to do with this with a quilt though!) If the colors bleed, fill up a (very) large pot of water and boil it on the stove. Carefully add either vinegar or Oxi-clean (I've tried both, but not at the same time) and put your garment or item that bled into the water. Stir for a minute or so, and pull it out of the water. Then wash as usual, perhaps even with a Color Catcher. This has worked for me on two occasions when I had white garments turn pink in my load of red laundry. You could Google it and find a more exact ratio of vinegar or Oxi-clean to water.