So, I guess I should reserve judgement on my quilts until after they are washed & dried...
I washed the Vintage Modern Swoon quilt in cool / lukewarm water with 6 Shout Color Catchers. Yes, 6 of them. Remember, the backing is red and there is quite a bit of red in the rest of the quilt as well. I had washed the backing fabric before I pieced it together, actually I had washed it about 4 times, each time with 2 color catchers, and every time the color catchers came out pink. So I didn't want to take any chances. I closely inspected the quilt after it came out of the wash and I didn't see any signs of the red bleeding. All 6 color catchers were a very pale pink. Then I threw the quilt into the dryer on the lowest heat setting.
After I pulled the quilt out, I was in love! I don't know if it was the fabrics or the quilting, but this quilt is the softest / drapiest quilt I have ever made. The quilt is 100% Moda fabrics, and I think this is the first quilt I have made that is all Moda fabrics; top, backing, binding - it's all Moda. The quilting is about 1" apart at the widest and 1/4" apart at some of the narrower spots, so I don't think the quilting is much different than I have done in the past. The only other difference that I can think of is the batting - to my knowledge this quilt is the first one where I have used Hobbs Heirloom. In the past I have always purchased Warm & Natural for my batting, and pre-washed the batting. This time I really wanted the quilt to crinkle up a lot, so I didn't pre-wash the batting.
Regardless of the reason why this quilt turned out so soft, I officially love it now. It was so stiff prior to washing, that it was really awkward to move & fold. Oh, and I did measure the quilt. Before the wash & dry, it was 80" x 80" and now it is 76" x 76". So, 5% shrinkage, just like all my previous quilts have done. All that is left now is to get it packaged up and shipped to my friends!
-V
Linking up to Needle and Thread Thursday.
Linking up to Lily's Quilts.
Oh you scared me. I thought you were going to say in spite of all the prewashing of the red, it bled. Whew! Lovely!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see that it came out of the wash looking sew fine! It is a beauty, for sure. I can understand why you are sew in love.... Great job!
ReplyDeleteI totally thought you were going to say it came out pink! Whew!
ReplyDeleteI always use Hobbs Heirloom and love it. Your Swoon looks glorious in all is soft and crinkly goodness!
I'm so in love with anything Swoon, and your quilt is gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you can bear to part with it. I hope the recipients know how lucky they are :)
It's gorgeous, Valerie!! It's always scary to wash a quilt with a strongly colored back, but it sounds like you did all the right things to make it work - your friends are very lucky!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks so cozy!!! Glad to know the color catchers tip! I wonder what our great grandmothers did without them?
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous quilt! And I agree moda fabrics are so soft :)
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for colour catchers! Saved my life so many times. Gorgeous quilt!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your beautiful quilt. You are a brave woman with red....it is the one colour that is always doubtful. A happy ending no doubt. Enjoy it is gorgeous and I love those fabrics. Marie
ReplyDeleteThat is so beautiful! I just received my Swoon quilt back from the quilters (too big for me and my domestic and lack of muscles) and love it -but will be hitting it hard with the colour catchers too! I hope (well surely!) the recipients love it as much as you do!
ReplyDeleteIt is SO fabulous! I just love the red, and I'm so glad the color catchers did their job!\
ReplyDelete:) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation
and of course...thank you so much for sharing at Needle and Thread Thursday!
Delete:) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation
This quilt is absolutely gorgeous!! I really need to get out my pattern and make a Swoon this year.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! I've been inspired to work on mine a bit more this month. I will eventually get all the blocks done.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful! Glad it didn't disappoint in the wash!
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I love the way a quilt feels and looks after washing. It turns it from something to look at to something to love.
ReplyDeleteOh, how lovely! I'm so glad it didn't bleed.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous! Is the background Kona Stone? I "washed" a finished quilt last night with lots of red and used 4 . . . I thought that was a lot. Contratulations on a beautiful finish.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt. It is wonderful and such great colors. I never worry too much about the stiffness or anything until after it is washed. That seems to be the magic at times.
ReplyDeleteThat is so beautiful. I love the red backing, it was worth worrying about bleed just for the delicious contrast with the pieced front.
ReplyDelete