Help with quilt

Ok well when I started out I knew nothing about the way things should be
done. So I did two quilt panels with the cheap batting and hand quilted.
Hand quilting is still holding great. But I didn't quilt enough and I
just washed them. Needless to say some of the larger areas that got no
quilting are starting to bunch up. I might even be able to pull a bit
and even it out. So should I try to machine echo the best I can without
causes wrinkles in the panel? These quilts get washed once or twice a
year and hung back up on the wall. There is no hanging sleeve as I use a
rod with clips. There is no way I have time to hand quilt these areas.
Not sure what else I can do.

Also I have another with the same problem but more. When I first hung it
I used thumb tacks and stretched it tight and pinned to the wall. Of
course now that I wanted to hang it on the bar the edges are all wavy,
really bad. I would almost consider redoing this one but I doubt I could
find the panel again. So I really don't want to give it up. It also has
a sentimental place in my heart for my ex, whom I did the same one for him.

I like the drapery bars with clips because then depending on the season
I can switch them around. Tried making a hanging sleeve once. No problem
making the sleeve but getting the quilt to hang the way I like was a
different story. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanx
Joanna
Alberta

On 31 Dec, 08:53, Joanna wrote:
Ok well when I started out I knew nothing about the way things should be
done. So I did two quilt panels with the cheap batting and hand quilted.
* Hand quilting is still holding great. But I didn't quilt enough and I
just washed them. Needless to say some of the larger areas that got no
quilting are starting to bunch up. I might even be able to pull a bit
and even it out. So should I try to machine echo the best I can without
causes wrinkles in the panel? These quilts get washed once or twice a
year and hung back up on the wall. There is no hanging sleeve as I use a
rod with clips. There is no way I have time to hand quilt these areas.
Not sure what else I can do.

Also I have another with the same problem but more. When I first hung it
I used thumb tacks and stretched it tight and pinned to the wall. Of
course now that I wanted to hang it on the bar the edges are all wavy,
really bad. I would almost consider redoing this one but I doubt I could
find the panel again. So I really don't want to give it up. It also has
a sentimental place in my heart for my ex, whom I did the same one for him.

I like the drapery bars with clips because then depending on the season
I can switch them around. Tried making a hanging sleeve once. No problem
making the sleeve but getting the quilt to hang the way I like was a
different story. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanx
Joanna
Alberta

G'day Joanna
Just a couple of comments -- others will be more specificg,
Over time you should try to use hanging sleeves because they will keep
the quilt squared in a way clips will never do. Once you start using
a good quality batting, you will find the quilt more stable for
hanging. Using a decorative rod on the wall will allow you to swap
over quilts of a similar size without having to be exact widths.
As to your current batting problem with the washing - all I can
suggest is to add some invisible thread machine quilting after you
have flattened it as much as possible. An iron on steam with a
pressing cloth may do the trick.
Cheers and Happy New Quilty Year.
Bronnie
(Australia)

Being not-very-experienced myself, can't help you except with good thoughts!

But I am marking this thread, as I know I will learn a lot from the replies
you get!

Happy New Year, Joanna and all the rest of this wonderful group!

--
Carolyn in The Old Pueblo

If it ain't broke, you're not trying. --Red Green
If it ain't broke, it ain't mine. --Carolyn McCarty

If at first you don't succeed, switch to power tools. --Red Green
If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer. --Carolyn McCarty

"Joanna" wrote in message
news:wDx6l.271$Db2.210@edtnps83...
Ok well when I started out I knew nothing about the way things should be
done. So I did two quilt panels with the cheap batting and hand quilted.
Hand quilting is still holding great. But I didn't quilt enough and I just
washed them. Needless to say some of the larger areas that got no quilting
are starting to bunch up. I might even be able to pull a bit and even it
out. So should I try to machine echo the best I can without causes
wrinkles in the panel? These quilts get washed once or twice a year and
hung back up on the wall. There is no hanging sleeve as I use a rod with
clips. There is no way I have time to hand quilt these areas. Not sure
what else I can do.

Also I have another with the same problem but more. When I first hung it I
used thumb tacks and stretched it tight and pinned to the wall. Of course
now that I wanted to hang it on the bar the edges are all wavy, really
bad. I would almost consider redoing this one but I doubt I could find the
panel again. So I really don't want to give it up. It also has a
sentimental place in my heart for my ex, whom I did the same one for him.

I like the drapery bars with clips because then depending on the season I
can switch them around. Tried making a hanging sleeve once. No problem
making the sleeve but getting the quilt to hang the way I like was a
different story. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanx
Joanna
Alberta

Let's see if I can help with the batting bunching. See if you have a long
strong sort of pin - a doll/teddy bear pin would be great, a corsage pin
might do. See if just bit by bit you can ease and sneak the bunched batting
over into the naked areas. Either you can or you can't and it might take
lots longer than it's worth but give that a try.
We don't 'do' wallhanging quilts here in the Swamp. The humidity is
just too high for that to be a good idea. If I were to attempt it though, I
think I'd put a 2nd sleeve at the bottom of the quilt and insert something
heavy such as a dowel or maybe something light sort of like a piece of
yardstick - just something to hold it straight.
You really could put sleeves down the sides and force that rascal to
hang nicely; just depends on how badly you want to correct the problems. You
may need to talk to it and use some strong language. Polly


"Bronnie" wrote in message
...
On 31 Dec, 08:53, Joanna wrote:
Ok well when I started out I knew nothing about the way things should be
done. So I did two quilt panels with the cheap batting and hand quilted.
Hand quilting is still holding great. But I didn't quilt enough and I
just washed them. Needless to say some of the larger areas that got no
quilting are starting to bunch up. I might even be able to pull a bit
and even it out. So should I try to machine echo the best I can without
causes wrinkles in the panel? These quilts get washed once or twice a
year and hung back up on the wall. There is no hanging sleeve as I use a
rod with clips. There is no way I have time to hand quilt these areas.
Not sure what else I can do.

Also I have another with the same problem but more. When I first hung it
I used thumb tacks and stretched it tight and pinned to the wall. Of
course now that I wanted to hang it on the bar the edges are all wavy,
really bad. I would almost consider redoing this one but I doubt I could
find the panel again. So I really don't want to give it up. It also has
a sentimental place in my heart for my ex, whom I did the same one for
him.

I like the drapery bars with clips because then depending on the season
I can switch them around. Tried making a hanging sleeve once. No problem
making the sleeve but getting the quilt to hang the way I like was a
different story. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanx
Joanna
Alberta

G'day Joanna
Just a couple of comments -- others will be more specificg,
Over time you should try to use hanging sleeves because they will keep
the quilt squared in a way clips will never do. Once you start using
a good quality batting, you will find the quilt more stable for
hanging. Using a decorative rod on the wall will allow you to swap
over quilts of a similar size without having to be exact widths.
As to your current batting problem with the washing - all I can
suggest is to add some invisible thread machine quilting after you
have flattened it as much as possible. An iron on steam with a
pressing cloth may do the trick.
Cheers and Happy New Quilty Year.
Bronnie
(Australia)

See that's why I love you guys. I think I'll try that. But a dowel in
the bottom and see.

I've since done wall hanging with a lot more quilting and I suspect you
could too even with the humidity they would hang great if you heavily
quilt it. Just my two cents though I have not actually tried it.
Take Care
joanna
alberta

Polly Esther wrote:
Let's see if I can help with the batting bunching. See if you have a long
strong sort of pin - a doll/teddy bear pin would be great, a corsage pin
might do. See if just bit by bit you can ease and sneak the bunched batting
over into the naked areas. Either you can or you can't and it might take
lots longer than it's worth but give that a try.
We don't 'do' wallhanging quilts here in the Swamp. The humidity is
just too high for that to be a good idea. If I were to attempt it though, I
think I'd put a 2nd sleeve at the bottom of the quilt and insert something
heavy such as a dowel or maybe something light sort of like a piece of
yardstick - just something to hold it straight.
You really could put sleeves down the sides and force that rascal to
hang nicely; just depends on how badly you want to correct the problems. You
may need to talk to it and use some strong language. Polly


"

Kate XXXXXX will laugh at this but the closest I've come to making a
wallhanging hang straight was stitching a drum major tuxedo tails sort of
jacket and making it behave. We wanted the tails to hang true and straight
or at least return to true and straight during the shennanigans of leading a
marching band and tossing a mace ( a baton about 4 ft long with a hefty
head). I stitched silver dollars into little pockets in the lining. Worked
great. Jingled a little bit but that was all right.
Polly



"Joanna" wrote See that's why I love you guys. I think I'll try that. Put
a dowel in
the bottom and see.

I've since done wall hanging with a lot more quilting and I suspect you
could too even with the humidity they would hang great if you heavily
quilt it. Just my two cents though I have not actually tried it.
Take Care
joanna
alberta

Polly Esther wrote:
Let's see if I can help with the batting bunching. See if you have a
long strong sort of pin - a doll/teddy bear pin would be great, a corsage
pin might do. See if just bit by bit you can ease and sneak the bunched
batting over into the naked areas. Either you can or you can't and it
might take lots longer than it's worth but give that a try.
We don't 'do' wallhanging quilts here in the Swamp. The humidity is
just too high for that to be a good idea. If I were to attempt it
though, I think I'd put a 2nd sleeve at the bottom of the quilt and
insert something heavy such as a dowel or maybe something light sort of
like a piece of yardstick - just something to hold it straight.
You really could put sleeves down the sides and force that rascal to
hang nicely; just depends on how badly you want to correct the problems.
You may need to talk to it and use some strong language. Polly


"

I like the idea of using strong language on it. That's what I would
try first. And if that didn't work, I'd make a new wallhanging and
fold the old one, put it where "keepsakes" go and someday leave it to
one of my children to cherish and figure out how to straighten it up.

Sunny

The most drastic fix would be to take it all apart and start over,
using better batting. You'd get the best results.
Have you tried blocking it into shape while damp? Maybe easing some of
the batting lumps back into place with a long needle? If you can get
it nice and smooth and flat, let it dry that way, then do more hand
quilting to keep it in place.
Roberta in D

On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:53:16 GMT, Joanna
wrote:

Ok well when I started out I knew nothing about the way things should be
done. So I did two quilt panels with the cheap batting and hand quilted.
Hand quilting is still holding great. But I didn't quilt enough and I
just washed them. Needless to say some of the larger areas that got no
quilting are starting to bunch up. I might even be able to pull a bit
and even it out. So should I try to machine echo the best I can without
causes wrinkles in the panel? These quilts get washed once or twice a
year and hung back up on the wall. There is no hanging sleeve as I use a
rod with clips. There is no way I have time to hand quilt these areas.
Not sure what else I can do.

Also I have another with the same problem but more. When I first hung it
I used thumb tacks and stretched it tight and pinned to the wall. Of
course now that I wanted to hang it on the bar the edges are all wavy,
really bad. I would almost consider redoing this one but I doubt I could
find the panel again. So I really don't want to give it up. It also has
a sentimental place in my heart for my ex, whom I did the same one for him.

I like the drapery bars with clips because then depending on the season
I can switch them around. Tried making a hanging sleeve once. No problem
making the sleeve but getting the quilt to hang the way I like was a
different story. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanx
Joanna
Alberta

Once you add some extra quilting, you can block your wallhanging. You need
a clean carpeted area, cover with an old sheet. Place your wallhanging and
pin into the carpet, using a ruler or carpenter's square to make sure it is
straight. Spritz with water, to dampen the quilt, then leave it until it is
totally dry. Try not over-stretching the quilt when you are pinning. You
can even "mush" in the excess a bit in some areas.
Hope this helps. For wallhangings, I usually just vacuum them carefully, a
couple of times a year.

--
Susan
in Zephyrhills FL for the winter
http://community.webshots.com/user/sbtinkingston
"Joanna" wrote in message
news:wDx6l.271$Db2.210@edtnps83...
Ok well when I started out I knew nothing about the way things should be
done. So I did two quilt panels with the cheap batting and hand quilted.
Hand quilting is still holding great. But I didn't quilt enough and I just
washed them. Needless to say some of the larger areas that got no quilting
are starting to bunch up. I might even be able to pull a bit and even it
out. So should I try to machine echo the best I can without causes
wrinkles in the panel? These quilts get washed once or twice a year and
hung back up on the wall. There is no hanging sleeve as I use a rod with
clips. There is no way I have time to hand quilt these areas. Not sure
what else I can do.

Also I have another with the same problem but more. When I first hung it I
used thumb tacks and stretched it tight and pinned to the wall. Of course
now that I wanted to hang it on the bar the edges are all wavy, really
bad. I would almost consider redoing this one but I doubt I could find the
panel again. So I really don't want to give it up. It also has a
sentimental place in my heart for my ex, whom I did the same one for him.

I like the drapery bars with clips because then depending on the season I
can switch them around. Tried making a hanging sleeve once. No problem
making the sleeve but getting the quilt to hang the way I like was a
different story. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanx
Joanna
Alberta

You've gotten several great suggestions so far but I'll still add my
tuppence :-). If you can't get the bunched up areas of batting
straightened out you can take this drastic step -- CUT a slit in the
backing and straighten the batting out so that it lays as flat as
possible. You could use one of the quilt sprays on the back side of the
face fabric to keep the batting in place.
Once the batting is as flat as possible, you have two options. You
could put a patch over the slit (I would use quilt spray, glue stick or
iron on) and then machine quilt the area(s). The other option is to
machine quilt the areas (assuming you do something to keep the edges of
the slit closed) and then hand appliqué a patch over the slit.
If you *really* don't want to use a hanging sleeve, you should do as
someone else mentioned and put one on anyway. You could still use your
hanging clips and put a dowel or something similar in the top sleeve to
keep the quilt from sagging. If you think it would be helpful, you
could add sleeves to the bottom and sides (as suggested by another
poster) for more dowels to help keep the sides &/or bottom of the quilt
from looking wavy. CiaoMeow ^;;^

PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ (RCTQ Queen of Kitties)
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about
their whiskers!
Visit my Photo albums at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary

Joanna wrote:

Ok well when I started out I knew nothing about the way things should be
done. So I did two quilt panels with the cheap batting and hand quilted.
Hand quilting is still holding great. But I didn't quilt enough and I
just washed them. Needless to say some of the larger areas that got no
quilting are starting to bunch up. I might even be able to pull a bit
and even it out. So should I try to machine echo the best I can without
causes wrinkles in the panel? These quilts get washed once or twice a
year and hung back up on the wall. There is no hanging sleeve as I use a
rod with clips. There is no way I have time to hand quilt these areas.
Not sure what else I can do.

Also I have another with the same problem but more. When I first hung it
I used thumb tacks and stretched it tight and pinned to the wall. Of
course now that I wanted to hang it on the bar the edges are all wavy,
really bad. I would almost consider redoing this one but I doubt I could
find the panel again. So I really don't want to give it up. It also has
a sentimental place in my heart for my ex, whom I did the same one for him.

I like the drapery bars with clips because then depending on the season
I can switch them around. Tried making a hanging sleeve once. No problem
making the sleeve but getting the quilt to hang the way I like was a
different story. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanx
Joanna
Alberta


--