Tuesday, July 30, 2013

vintage modern swoon quilt :: update

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.

20 comments:

  1. Oh you scared me. I thought you were going to say in spite of all the prewashing of the red, it bled. Whew! Lovely!!

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  2. Glad 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!

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  3. I totally thought you were going to say it came out pink! Whew!
    I always use Hobbs Heirloom and love it. Your Swoon looks glorious in all is soft and crinkly goodness!

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  4. I'm so in love with anything Swoon, and your quilt is gorgeous!!!
    I don't know how you can bear to part with it. I hope the recipients know how lucky they are :)

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  5. 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!!

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  6. It looks so cozy!!! Glad to know the color catchers tip! I wonder what our great grandmothers did without them?

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  7. Such a gorgeous quilt! And I agree moda fabrics are so soft :)

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  8. Thank goodness for colour catchers! Saved my life so many times. Gorgeous quilt!

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  9. Congratulations 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

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  10. That 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!

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  11. It is SO fabulous! I just love the red, and I'm so glad the color catchers did their job!\

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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    1. and of course...thank you so much for sharing at Needle and Thread Thursday!

      :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  12. This quilt is absolutely gorgeous!! I really need to get out my pattern and make a Swoon this year.

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  13. It's beautiful! I've been inspired to work on mine a bit more this month. I will eventually get all the blocks done.

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  14. It's beautiful! Glad it didn't disappoint in the wash!

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  15. I 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.

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  16. Oh, how lovely! I'm so glad it didn't bleed.

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  17. Absolutely 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.

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  18. What 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.

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  19. That is so beautiful. I love the red backing, it was worth worrying about bleed just for the delicious contrast with the pieced front.

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