Quilt Blocking for the Insane
I must be insane if the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. This will be the fourth time I will block “Morning Breeze” and I think I have finally figured out the problem. Each time I blocked this quilt I would find new, dark smudgy spots on its otherwise pristine white front. I would wash again and block, only to discover new spots.
I know this sounds so obvious now, but the problem was that I was blocking it face down on my carpet-carpet that had just been cleaned about 2 months ago and I don’t even have children at home! But, I do have one stinky Basset boy who lays in the sunshine right where I was blocking-duh! So why was I blocking face down?
I get these annoying quilt sleeve show-throughs if I block it face up. See how the bulk of the sleeve shows through? Hate that. So that’s why I blocked it face down, to keep the sleeve from shadowing.
So I went in search of something that I could block on that would stay clean in between uses. I know all about using insulation board, but it’s tricky to store those big sheets. I wanted something modular. I started out looking for carpet tiles, but when I saw these tiles used for athletic facilities, I knew I had the perfect surface.
One of the great things about these squares is that they are 2′ square, way easier to assemble and store than the 1′ squares. They fit together quite easily and….
they store under my bed! How cool is that? I ended up buying 12 tiles, large enough for most anything I will make. And yet it’s easy to grab a square or two for smaller projects.
In the meantime I am still creating more cut work pieces to show to my table topper class in Houston. For this piece I used hand dyed silk that I purchased at Pacific International Quilt Festival last year. I don’t really have a complete plan for this piece yet and it still needs a good press and a back. I tried several backing colors and just haven’t found the right one yet. I totally see this kind of idea on a garment, don’t you? Perhaps an insert into a jacket?
Gorgeous silk piece! P.S. Next time you need blocking supplies…ask a knitter! ;-)
I am giggling-apparently all the knitters out there knew this a long time ago-thank you! The knitters and quilters need to get together and chat.
Perhaps in Portland…. ;)
I love those tiles. I use them for blocking hand knits too. That cut work you do is gorgeous!
Thank you Roxanne-I need to think like a knitter! I am having fun with the cut work.
That piece of fabric is exquisite! I can see that as an overlay for a ball gown skirt. Wow
Thank you Maga! Ooooo-overlay sounds lovely….
Jenny,
Love your cut work pieces. I am a firm believer that necessity is the mother of invention. How do you keep the dog away when your quilts are down on the tiles? My cats and dog view anything on the floor as theirs.
Hope to get to see you in Houston. Nancy
Thanks Nancy! Well Basset Boy also views anything on the ground as his-especially when I put it where he likes to lay in the sun. I just close the door to the bedroom to keep him out-he will walk to the door, look at me and snort! He is thoroughly annoyed at having the door shut.
Another perfect solution by Jenny! The cut work is amazing, as always.
Thanks Marcia! If you read the comments, you’ll see that apparently the knitters knew this long ago, giggle. I hope I get enough time to work that cut work into a garment.
That cut work is gorgeous! I am sure your class will be a huge success!
Thank you Doreen! I sure hope that class goes well!
I’m not a knitter, so this is news to me (obviously, I need to spend more time with knitters)! Great tip Jenny!
Hi Laura-I’m there with ya-this is news!