After my last post I decided I did need some new fabrics to freshen up my red and white collection for my Farmer's Wife quilt.
So here's what I came home with after hitting up one of the local quilt shops that day:
I've found that the dark reds really add some nice contrast to my quilt and help to break things up a bit (and, in the right shade, are a little hard to come by so I was really happy to have found those!) The medium colored tone-on-tone reds will create a restful place for the eye to land. The gingham, well the gingham, was just too cute to pass by (but may be a little hard to work with. I've found that I like the smaller prints best for all the tiny pieces used in the FWQ blocks. Plus, there's a lot of contrast in that one. But it's sure dang cute so I will definitely try to make a place for it :) I like the small red and white floral print because of it's small scale and not too much contrast (it's a 30's print so I also like that it's not super cutesy). And finally, the two light background fabrics will add a nice contrast to all the reds I'm using. One, a stripe which will hopefully add a playful element and the large scale floral will bring in some nice movement.
I don't normally prewash all of my fabric but I've been trying to with this quilt (just to be safe - since reds usually tend to bleed more than other colors).
When I'm concerened about bleeding I throw in some Shout Color Catchers into the wash (again, just to be safe). I've got a couple of boxes of them by my washing machine and throw in two or three to catch any extra dye floating around. Works every time :)
Here, you can see all the dye they soaked up when they were used with my new red and white fabrics. That's quite a bit, eh? Glad that didn't go back onto some of my lighter fabrics!
You can find Shout Color Catchers by the dryer sheets at your local grocery store. (I'm not getting paid for this recommendation. I just really like them :)
Anyways, I got a few more FW blocks done this weekend. Still have 900 more to go but I'll show some pictures soon of my progress. It's coming right along!
Happy quilting!
~ Amber
I like to use the Shout color sheets too when in doubt. There is also another product that those of us who dye fabric use also...it is called Synthropol and can be purchased through Dharma Company in CA or on line...they are a company which specializes in dyes, etc for mixed media folk...other places may carry it too, but that is where I have gotten it...Great reds, by the way!
ReplyDeleteWhen you are buying small amounts like this to add to a stash-ish project, do you buy fat quarters or 1/4 yards (or something else)? I think it's interesting that at my LQS 1/4 yards are cheaper than fat quarters (knowing that some patterns call for fat quarter dimensions) so I tend to buy 1/4 yards if it's "just because."
ReplyDeleteAnother fabulous one, Hon! Your quilts are always so beautiful--I can almost see your wheels turning!
ReplyDeleteA great mix of reds there!
ReplyDeleteWe used to use those colour catchers, but for some reason they got stuck in the pipe of our machine and clogged it horribly.
We're trying to find an alternative for them =D
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteYes, I believe it usually is cheaper to buy a quarter yard rather than a fat quarter (at least that's the way it is at the fabric store I work at). A lot of times I will buy the quarter yard unless I think I want the width I can get with a fat quarter. I guess it just depends what mood I am in and whether I have time to stand around and wait for the yardage to get cut :)
Thanks for stopping by :)
Amber
I was a firm color catcher believer until I washed a black and white quilt I had just finished and it bled (even though I used my normal 4 color catchers just to be safe). A lot of my white are now grayish, even though everything was good quality fabric. I use retayne when washing now with the color catchers and haven't had any other problems.
ReplyDeleteCute fabrics! I admire anyone willing to make blocks with all those pieces! I have used the color catchers - I put them in a lingerie bag (front loader) and they have worked great, even on quilts that are finished and getting that "soft and cuddly" first wash.
ReplyDeletemmmm red yummy
ReplyDelete