Grab your coffee, we could be here awhile!
What I use.
What I use.
My home made hinged portable design board.
(many styles can be found all over the web).
Portable design wall when open.
(I made 23 of these for our retreat one year--I know CRAZY!)
I found this little gem of a
tool while looking for my husbands metal square.
It is a Laser Level & Square.
(OK- Go check his tool box~ I will wait!)
(OK- Go check his tool box~ I will wait!)
So now his is OURS and it lives in the sewing room and hubby can barrow whenever he wants!
This can be found in any hardware store!
This can be found in any hardware store!
Painters tape & a tape measure is a must!
Water bottle to spritz!
Allot of
T~Pin's
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Onto The Blocking
There are many ways to Block, just look around the web!
I am not claiming that this is the right way.
Its just my way!
This post has most of the steps I use when blocking.
My board is normally a mess well loved so
I start with a quick vacuum.
Tape sticks much better this way!
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The most important thing is the numbers!
The center of the quilt width and the length.
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Lay your tape out according to those numbers.
I start with the laser square in one corner and
start with the tape there.
You can see where I laid the tape on the bottom left.
start with the tape there.
And the tape on the right.
(the quilt is serving no purpose but just laying there)
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When board is taped on all four sides.
I then take the quilt (not the board) and submerge it in the tub or sink and have a spritz water bottle to help if more water is needed.
If the quilt has allot of bias it can be very uneven as this one is.
The wetter the better!
As you can see this quilt is WAY OFF!
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Start by anchoring a corner and every few inches working your way down the sides. All awhile inserting the T pins as you are lining the edge up with the tape.
As you pin along--you will be putting pins in much closer.
About every 1/2 to 3/4's inch apart.
~Word for the faint hearted~
You may produce a faint sweat when pulling and tugging but this will not constitute a cardio work!
Fitness Pal has no calorie count listed anywhere for Blocking!
I LOOKED!!
You may produce a faint sweat when pulling and tugging but this will not constitute a cardio work!
Fitness Pal has no calorie count listed anywhere for Blocking!
I LOOKED!!
And rest assure that if you quilt the heck out of things,
as I do, it will not rip doing this process!
Unless you are too far off!
(Sorry so dark)
I have found, that if the quilts fits on the portable design wall I can lay it on top of my longarm, under the fan, over night
(could be on chairs too).
This usually is dried by the morning.
This usually is dried by the morning.
Tips!
If you iron, never ever--ever--ever use steam after it has been blocked unless you
want to Block it again or just don't care to have a square piece.
(I never block a bed quilt!)
Also that means it can not go in the wash.
You just have to do the old broom-wack cleaning method!
If you are blocking a quilt that was in a swap, such as this one.
Remember not all colors are created equal some might run!
Other than that--it is really quit simple and lets people
think you are a Highfalutin Professional!
Cause we all know you are!
All Done!
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Also today is another day of
"See You In September" blog hop!
Here is the line-up
Here is the line-up
Thursday, September 11
Susie's World
Needled Mom
Cate's Linens
How ART you?
I Like To QuiltBlog
Quiltscapes
Susie's World
Needled Mom
Cate's Linens
How ART you?
I Like To QuiltBlog
Quiltscapes
Till We Quilt Or Block Again,
That Laser level is brilliant. I love a good tool. Also very interesting to see how you go about quilt blocking: I knew it was possible but have never seen it done before.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is amazing!
ReplyDeletefollowed from Needle and Thread Thursday linky!
I still need to get that laser level. . . actually, first I need to ask my hubby if we have one - he's a gadget geek. . . I bet he's hiding one in the garage!! OK, so you block before you bind. . . do you ever bind before you block? Or is that just asking for trouble?
ReplyDeleteWow...I think I'll use a square, BUT I had no idea how to do this...I never really thought about it til you brought it up. I think I have a few quilts I should have blocked! I can't believe how basic and simple this is, thank you, I will definitely do this with the next one! It's amazing how much I don't know about quilting, and I do it anyway!! Your quilt is beautiful, nice work as usual.
ReplyDeleteNini~
wow - fascinating! I have never heard of doing this before.
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial - thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous, Helen! Your finished piece is gorgeous and looks great all squared up! Thanks for sharing the tutorial.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see this done step by step. I've always been curious about blocking quilts but haven't had the patience yet to try. I love your quilt and that last photo with the sunflowers is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! I've NEVER NEVER EVER EVER Seen this or any other method for blocking a quilt! This is amazing! I will have to go to bed after the process. You have given me one of the BEST tips for my quilting toolbox I've ever received or at least one of the top 3!! Thanks so much! I will be showing this at my quilt group this THursday.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Gmama Jane