Thursday, November 13, 2014

Oh No!

Every quilt teaches at least one life lesson.  Right?
More often than not, the lesson for me is: SLOW DOWN! 



AFTER I spent several weeks piecing, machine quilting and hand embellishing this quilt, 
I decided to test some of the fabrics for color-fastness before washing.
See that piece with the safety pin?

OH NO!!

Needless to say, I should have SLOWED DOWN and tested the fabrics BEFORE I used them!




I picked out the offending piece, cut away its stained neighbors, and replaced it.  
Luckily, there appears to be only one piece of this fabric in the quilt.





Phew!  Not too difficult.
I top-stitched it on so I could find this piece and remember the story.

In the end, the quilt had its way with me.
There's just no getting around learning these life lessons!

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Here's the color-fast test I use:  
Spray a little piece of your fabric with water, 
place a paper towel on top, and iron until it's dry.  
If it comes up clean, it's colorfast!





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20 comments:

  1. SusanNovember 13, 2014 at 11:46 PM

    Dye running like that could have been a disaster but you have managed to salvage the situation admirably! I hope it didn't involve too much swearing.......

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  2. KarenNovember 14, 2014 at 4:40 AM

    Neat little fix for the problem piece.

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  3. BarbNovember 14, 2014 at 4:42 AM

    whew, great save!!
    also great tip

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  4. QuiltdivajulieNovember 14, 2014 at 5:35 AM

    Great post -- good advice!!

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  5. Marty MasonNovember 14, 2014 at 5:56 AM

    So sorry you had this problem, but for me it was "The Tip Of The Day." Thanks for sharing.

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  6. smazoochieNovember 14, 2014 at 7:03 AM

    Artful save -- and not a trivial one!

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  7. JulieroseNovember 14, 2014 at 7:29 AM

    Oh thanks for the test! I never think of that--not good I see it all now!! Hugs, Julierose

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  8. SharonNovember 14, 2014 at 11:19 AM

    Great fix, good for you for finding this now. I put all my fabric in the laundry room sink when it comes home, but those pesky pre cuts don't get pre washed. I have a red wing on an appliqued block and I will take the plunge with it this weekend. Thanks for the pre test. I shall do this.

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  9. RachaeldaisyNovember 14, 2014 at 11:46 AM

    Lucky it was so fixable, and you didn't use lots of pieces of that fabric. I love your stitching with knots on top!

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  10. audreyNovember 14, 2014 at 11:54 AM

    Oh no! Bravo for getting it fixed before it ruined the entire quilt though. Will have to remember your testing method.:)

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  11. Tonya RicucciNovember 14, 2014 at 12:29 PM

    argh. I've found deep blue to be very problematic that way. Love your solution - I'll have to remember that.

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  12. MaryNovember 14, 2014 at 5:40 PM

    Yikes! That could have been disastrous! Glad you tested!

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  13. janequiltsslowlyNovember 14, 2014 at 11:53 PM

    Deep blue, red & green cause the most problems for me. I almost always prewash larger pieces, but have had the dye run in those initial washings. Now I am using color catchers in every single wash load. I've gotten so wary that I even wash pieces that I get in scrap bags by putting them in a mesh hosiery bag with their own piece of a color catcher. This "pre-test" is a great idea for smaller bits that are found or gifted. Thanks.

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  14. AmyNovember 15, 2014 at 7:40 AM

    Boy, this was a great save on your part. I'm still shuddering (and guilting) over pink snowmen. Thanks for the color fast test. Here's to finding and tossing the rest of that offending fabric.

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  15. KimNovember 15, 2014 at 8:44 AM

    how clever of you to just take it out and replace the offender.......thanks for the lesson...I never prewash but sure will check from now on.

    Happy Sewing

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  16. AnonymousNovember 15, 2014 at 4:13 PM

    good save...phew!!

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  17. Ada Plouvier-KopitopoulouNovember 15, 2014 at 10:06 PM

    Great tip! You mended the quilt perfectly. I wash everything by hand before I use it, because I had a disaster like this!!

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  18. Quilting StoriesNovember 16, 2014 at 2:51 AM

    This lesson SLOW DOWN... I never learnt!
    The annoying thing with me is that I repeat the same mistakes!
    Your tip is great and will be of use, thank you!

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  19. Quilteuse ForeverNovember 17, 2014 at 1:57 AM

    Great mending, WOW!
    Thanks for this tip, simple and effective :-)

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  20. VictoriaDecember 3, 2014 at 7:21 AM

    Love the story, the lesson and the mending! In my opinion it all adds to the richness and wonderfulness of your quilt!

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