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22 October 2013

Winter Wolves

Yesterday....                                      I did this.



And today.....                              Finished!                        And very happy...



This quilt finished at 60" x 65".  A nice snuggle size quilt.

Although I did consider using white for the background, I went with this off-white, muslin-like solid, that reminds me of a sandy beach.

 

The binding, a beautiful print called Birch Tree, from the "North by Northwest" collection designed by Maria Kalinowski of Kanvas Studio for Benartex, was my favourite fabric used in the quilt.


When I chose a fleece for the backing, I was quite concerned about puckers forming.
But no worries!  It quilted up gorgeously, in organic wavy lines!


This was my first time quilting in that method.
I quilted with wide spaces between the lines and then quilted again between most of the lines.
In hindsight, this is something I would avoid doing in the future, as this caused the top fabric to pull, and it was no longer as smooth.  But after washing....     Probably won't make any difference.

Speaking of washing quilts....
I have been looking high and low for the one product I have heard so much about, but never seen on the shelf in any store I have ever been to.  Shout Color Catcher.

BUT during the past week, I did find this....
Dr. Beckmann - Colour & Dirt Collector



Up until recently, I had always washed my fabric prior to using them in quilts.  But the last few, I have made without prewashing.  I do so hope these sheets will do the trick!

Do you prewash your fabrics?
Do you use Colour Catchers or any similar product?









33 comments:

  1. Nice finish! I use Color Catchers when I pre-wash my fabrics. Probably an over-abundance of caution, but I'm new at this.

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  2. I don't pre-wash at all. No patience! I use color catchers in pretty much all my laundry. No patience for sorting laundry either I guess!

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  3. I usually wash fabrics as soon as I get them home from the fabric shop. I do use colour catchers - the same Dr. Beckman ones you showed. Sometimes, if the colours are really dark or deep, I'll use 2 sheets.

    The wolf quilt looks fabulous. The backing fabric is perfect for it! :o)

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  4. The wolf quilt looks beautiful! You certainly found the perfect fleece for the backing.

    I don't prewash my fabrics. I quit doing that years ago. However, I only buy quilt store fabric (not discount stores) and even then, I am picky about manufacturers. I don't use color catchers either. But I do have a bottle of synthropol by my washing machine so if I see some bleeding, I instantly rewash with that and the bleeding comes out. I think with all the quilts I have made, I have only seen one or two with slight bleeding.

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  5. Yes, I always pre wash. The quilting is fabulous! I can see the testosterone dripping off of this one!

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  6. Congrats on finishing your beautiful quilt! I only prewash if I'm doubtful about the fabric but I always use colour catcher :)

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  7. I do not pre-wash...I DO use color catchers. This is an absolutely beautiful quilt! That back is wonderful. What a match!

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  8. I usually prewash. Kits sometimes not if the squares are small. Very coordinated front and back!

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  9. Love the binding! Perfect fit. This will be loved for sure.

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  10. I don't pre-wash. I got tired of all the little thread mess that happened with pre-washing. *knock on wood* I haven't had a problem with fabrics bleeding. I do use a color catcher though. Love your quilt, by the way!

    Carrie

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  11. First, you quilt finish looks soooo cozy!!! Makes me want to get cup of hot chocolate and watch a movie!!! LOL!! Second, I've never prewashed. And finally, I use color catchers when I was a finish. LOVE THEM!!!

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  12. Ooh, I do like a good wavy-line quilting! Congrats on the finish!

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  13. I love your quilt. Really lovely. Good on you for finishing. Now you can come over and help me finish mine....

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  14. Came out beautifully!! I heart it!

    I usually buy the Shout product on my laundry isle. It is near the fabric softeners. All of the stores here carry it. If you can't find it, holler. I'll ship you some. :)

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  15. Wooooooowoooooo! (That's the cry of one happy wolf, just so's you know!!!)

    I tend to pre-wash because I often mix in scraps and pre-used fabrics and want to make sure everything is already pre-shrunk before I start sewing (rather than worries about colour running).

    Dawn Chorus Studio

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  16. Glad to hear bout your experience with fleece backing, Lorna. It<s something I have been wondering about. Your quilt must be very warm and snuggly! Like you, I have never seen Shout Color Catchers anywhere... I pre-wash, still, although I am growing a healthy "to wash" pile right now...

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  17. Great quilt!

    I pre-wash everything, though I'm more and more interested in leaving that habit behind. I make a lot of scrap quilts, though, so I would have to wash the newer stuff to keep from putting washed and not-washed fabrics together.

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  18. I used to prewash everything. Now I rarely prewash anything. But in the course of making my Marcelle Medallion quilt, I'm pretty sure that one of the fabrics will bleed when I wash the quilt. Eek! Your quilt looks so warm and cozy.

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  19. Great job on your Wilderness quilt...how warm it will be with the fleece backing. I never prewash, but I do test if there's even a hint it might run...like on dark colors. Better safe than sorry, huh?

    I am visiting from Thursday Threads and would love to have you stop by and see my 1930's Fabrics and Quilts. Just click on the signature link below...hope to see you there.  Your comments are 'Sew' Welcomed!

    Sue CollectInTexas Gal

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  20. Wow! Amazing finish and I'm so impressed to hear how the fleece worked as a backing. I've wanted to try it, but have been afraid of puckers.

    Until recently, I've been a devout pre-washer... but I'm trying it the other way round. I've got some colour catchers ready and keeping my fingers crossed. ;o)

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  21. What a cozy looking quilt! I don't prewash anymore, but I do throw a color catcher in the wash with it when I'm done!

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  22. Well, Congratulations! That quilt is lovely and the muslin color looks like snow to me!!!
    I know he LOVES it!

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  23. Your son will love this quilt! And I never prewash, but ALWAYS use color catchers (several) with the first wash. I've never had a problem!

    Thank you so much for linking up to Needle and Thread Thursday!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  24. Yesterday I quilted a placemat with wavy lines - I don't think I'll ever quilt straight lines again!! I used to prewash, now I don't, but maybe somethings I will. I don't use a colour catcher - I'm about to wash a quilt for which the fabrics were not prewashed, and my LQS recommended soaking it in a tub with cold water with a decent amount of salt thrown in to set the colours.

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  25. Hi Lorna, Love that wolf quilt, the way you placed the motifs and matched the back fleece. Very nice. Did you go back and forth on your quilting lines? Might be why you have crinkles. Sewing all the same way might not have been so crinkly, but it will all crinkle up when you wash it, anyway. Just saying.

    Also, I always prewash, and will continue. Still have colour bleeding sometimes though. I want to try colour catchers.

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  26. Lorna, I love the wave lines on the wolf quilt.
    I used to wash but I DO use Shout color catchers and they do work. I wash a few new quilts together but usually all dark or all bright or all light. What is amazing is washing a red, black and white quilt and have it turn out wonderful. I hope the product you have works the same. Otherwise I will send you some Shout!!
    Also recently saw a recipe to make your own color catcher with a few supplies and muslin. Might be worth a google.

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  27. I love your quilting! My hubby would love this quilt. Well done! :)

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  28. Lovely finish...great job on the quilting.

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  29. Your quilt turned out great!! I've been wanting to try wavy lines. As far as washing, I do not pre-wash..... I've heard if you add vinegar when you wash it helps... I haven't tried it, but a friend of mine swears by it!

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  30. Normally, I don't pre-wash. I received some donation fabrics that needed to be washed because of the smell, so I did, and they didn't bleed, nor did they shrink noticeably. I have used color catchers in the past, but not lately. I do trust them, though. I like this version of your wolves, too.

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  31. OK so I know I'm writing this almost 2 years after you originally wrote this post. But I too could not find the shout color catcher's and pick up the Dr. Beckman instead. I'm glad to read other people have had good results with them. Thanks!

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Your kind comments certainly make my day!