The Sewing Place
The Emporia => Patchwork & Quilting ... Welcome to the Darkside => Current Projects => Topic started by: Sheilago on August 26, 2017, 09:27:24 AM
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I am being bold and starting my first ever quilt with black sashing, inspired by many I've seen people here make. It will be a surprise wedding gift for an adventurous young couple who have worked in various African countries and who love the brightly coloured fabrics. As many of the beautiful fabrics have black in them as well as bright colours I thought black sashing would tie them all together and be more practical for an every day throw, than my usual 'safe' cream sashing.
Not sure how big it will be, I'll see how quickly it goes. Then I'll have to decide on the backing.... no ideas on that yet. Do you prewash the black fabric in case it runs? Most of the African fabrics are prewashed.
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I never prewash any quilt fabrics and never had any problems, I wash after quilting as I like the slightly antique look but others don't.
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Pics please ... you know the drill!!!
I think black sashing would look fabulous, really highlighting the bright colours that most African fabrics use.
Did you have a horribly sticky label on your fabrics ???
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I, on the other hand, pre-wash everything just in case. :) Very gently of course and I wash pre-cuts tied in a pillow case. I've only had one shambles with a pre-cut roll but that's because the fabric was rubbish!
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I too am making a quilt with black sashing, I do it quite often Sheila as it makes colours sin. I never pre wash ( or post wash for that matter :| ) any fabrics and have never had a problem. Looking forward to seeing it soon :)
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I never pre wash either, nor had any problems with colour runs.
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Will post pics once I have a few more blocks done. Thankfully I didn't have any sticky labels. I have chosen a very simple square in square design, so I can make reasonably quick progress.
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One of my favourite blocks as t grows so quickly :)
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I always prewash/presoak my fabrics, particularly bold colours. I dump them in a really warm bath with a couple of colour catchers and leave it to soak for at least an hour, occasionally topping it up with more warm water and hand agitating. It slows my preparation and getting started on the project but every time I do it, and discard colour catchers with dye in them I am pleased I got to the trouble.
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How industrious of you Rubes, I really, really couldn't be a***d :D
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Oh dear, I have dashed off without making sure all are prewashed. I know some that I bought are washed, but I'm not sure about all. Fingers crossed! Here is photo of the first blocks without their black sashing. I like to do them all and arrange them before I start on sashing.
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Ooh! That's gorgeous. When I read the description I was a bit -< but seeing them together like that really makes a joyful noise! <3
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Just laid out my blocks and put some sashing between 3. I ordered more African fabric as I thought I'd need it, but now I've laid out the blocks with the border, I think it's going to be big enough. It's just to be a throw for the happy couple's sofa! Mmm...what will I do with the new African fabric?
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That's lovely Sheila :)
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I love it.. I find a lot of African fabric patterns are too bold for me but the colours are great.. these little slices of colour look fabulous
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Gorgeous, Sheila. :loveit: :loveit: :loveit:
Love the border, too.
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Really striking! I love the colours in the border. I imagine the happy couple will be even happier when they see it.
YD
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Jus remembered I’d never put up pic of the finished quilt. I still have the label to do, but it’s finished apart from that. It’s quite puffy as it has fleece back and polyester wadding ( I usually use cotton) , but as it’s a throw I wanted it to be a bit warmer, but light.
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I love everything about this, Sheila -the bright colours, the black sashing, the quilting. :loveit: :loveit: :loveit:
Gorgeous!
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That is gorgeous and I have quilting envy.
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Looks really good and lovely and bright for a winter throw.
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That is really lovely. How have I missed this topic? I've only just seen it today. I hope the happy couple love it and it invokes happy memories.
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That's one absolutely gorgeous quilt Sheila, I love it <3
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That's fantastic Sheila, can I ask where you got your African fabric?
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That's lovely!
You've made me see African print fabrics in a different light. I didn't think it was to my taste, but you've done that beautifully.
Sandra.
xxx
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Lovely quit, very striking. 0_0 Did you do the quilting?
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Fab quilt
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Many thanks for the lovely comments. Every quilt is a bit of a learning experience for me. I just hope the couple like it- really looking forward to their December wedding.
I did do the quilting myself: free motion on my Janome, which was quite a challenge! Spirals in the middle and flowers and leaves round the border. It’s by no means perfect, but hope they do not notice.
I bought most of the African fabric this year as fat quarter bundles on EBay, though I had some in my stash from years ago( probably also Ebay). The fabric I got this year was lovely quality and prewashed. I just searched for ‘African wax print fq’ . I think the seller of the bundles was called Miso something, but there are quite a few sellers in the UK.
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Beautiful quilt <3 - the FMQ shows up well against the polyester wadding. I've not used this before (usually use natural fibres) but just bought some to try because it was cheap. I was a bit doubtful when it was delivered because it's not very soft. Was it difficult to work with?
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I didn’t notice a big difference, Kenora. It was probably a little bulkier when trying to push through my machine when quilting, but I treated it in just the same way as I do cotton wadding.
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Thank you. It might also have been bulkier because of the fleece backing (?). Whichever, it's a lovely quilt and very effective.
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It’s now just 4 weeks to the wedding and I’m having a few concerns that my quilted throw may not be enough for a wedding gift as both my husband and I are going to the whole wedding . I know the couple will appreciate it, but my question is - should I also buy them another conventional gift: vacuum cleaner, pots and pans etc. ?
Be honest fellow dark siders, what would you do? My husband says it will be one of the best presents they get and I’m not valuing my time in making it, but I don’t want to be mean! Have any of you given quilts as the sole wedding gift? -<
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Have any of you given quilts as the sole wedding gift? -<
Yes! a few months ago.
http://thesewingplace.org.uk/index.php/topic,1589.msg24176.html#msg24176 (http://thesewingplace.org.uk/index.php/topic,1589.msg24176.html#msg24176)
Although the quilt was a double bed sized and had pillow cases too, the quilting was nowhere near as spectacular as yours is.
I think that the quilt alone will be a sufficient gift, but if you are feeling very generous you could include a voucher (M&S, B&Q, John Lewis or whatever). Probably not enough time left now to make a couple of cushion covers to match.
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Oh I think the quilt alone is a fine gift though if you are concerned, rather than have it play on your mind and perhaps cloud the day, I would do as BrendaP suggested and include a voucher of some sort. Perhaps one from a furniture emporium with a little note suggesting the recipients may like to choose their own matching cushions to complement their new quilt? That way it is all tied in together and lets them feel they can personalise/accessorise it to their liking?
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It’s now just 4 weeks to the wedding and I’m having a few concerns that my quilted throw may not be enough for a wedding gift
Are you kidding me ???????? :o
WE know how much time effort and money (fabric, wadding, backing and thread is not cheap) goes into even a small quilt, let alone a quilt for two to snuggle under.
Can I ask ...
Do these people have taste/style ? or do they think that furnishings from 'George' are classy ??
Have they ever admired any of your beautiful makes before ?
If the answers are yes, no , yes in that order then they are going to adore it and realise the time and effort you have put into a very special, nay ... unique .... gift made just for them.
They will love it Sheila (but I do understand your worrying ... just don't!)
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I'd definitely give something else as well, probably a voucher :)
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Perhaps my opinion will be slightly controversial - but, surely, if you give a voucher as well as the quilt, you're undervaluing your own hard work in making a beautiful piece of art? As Iminei says, if your friends have taste, they'll know its value and love it. <3
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Just the quilt for me as well.. if the happy couple went out and bought a beautiful hand made throw think how much would they spend
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You can buy a (I think) mass produced printed simply quilted throw from Next for upwards of £50, made in India or China no doubt, with no charm, style or skill ...
How much would you usually spend on a wedding present .. that much? more???
Your quilt is worth sooo much more....
Just the quilt in my opinion,
and if they feel they've been shortchanged (they wont) they don't deserve it!
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Hmmm... still not sure -< Unless people are "makers" they don't understand what goes into something ( money, time or effort ) and on the rare occasions I make a quilt for someone who I think would appreciate it, I take care that it is an "extra" and not a main present. However, I guess you know the couple.... will it be appreciated and will the work, time money which went into it be appreciated. If so, I'd just give a voucher as well. If you're not sure how it will be received give a "proper " gift as well. You must feel it's appropriate for the couple to have considered making it, so go with your instinct :)
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I would also just give the quilt. I don't think anyone should have any expectation of a certain type or value of gift. Nobody should feel compelled to spend more than they can afford. I once gave someone some big bags of spring bulbs as a wedding present knowing that they had just bought a house with a virgin garden. The bride's mother told me that they were thrilled with them because they were unexpected and would be a reminder of their wedding day every year.
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Thanks everyone for all your replies, though I’m still not certain what to do. I’m pretty sure the couple will appreciate it. I made them simple mats when they got engaged and they loved them . They have actually told people not to buy them presents, but I’m sure most people will ignore that request. I have seen a similar throw selling for over £200 on Etsy, but as some of you have said,even if they love it, they may not realise what it would cost to buy.Their wedding is going to be very casual and simple and as the bride’s mum is a very good friend , I have been helping her make bunting etc for the wedding.She knows I’m making the quilt and says they’re going to love it, but oh dear it is a tricky decision!
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Its a tricky decision...
Absolutely not ... from your last reply, you have answered all our and your questions ... they will love it ... it is enough...
Relax!!!! Your beautiful quilt is enough!
and B R E A T H E !!!
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I'm sure they won't want anything else, but if it would make YOU feel better, why not get them some wine and chocolates to complete the quiet night in ensemble.
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Thanks everyone. Have chatted to a few friends here too and have decided to stick with just the quilt, but will also give them a bottle of whisky for use either on a quiet night or at the wedding ( I do know they like it!). I’ve also ordered a personalised wooden Christmas tree decoration with their names and the year to include as part of the gift wrap. Thanks for all your comments, I feel I can loook forward to the wedding now. :D