Thursday, February 18, 2010

Another little finish

During one of my stash diving ventures in January I found a bag of pink 9 patch blocks I had received in a block swap back in the 90's and I felt they had aged enough and were ready to become a quilt :)
I cut the blocks into 4 pieces (disappearing 9 patch trick again - if you haven't made one yet, check out the tutorial here) and sewed them back together, then put them on pointe.
It looked kind of odd (and maybe still does) so I added some vertical strings of pink RicRac.

I haven't used RicRac on anything except mini quilts and now I am wondering how it will wash. Does anyone have any advice about this? I just quilted a line right down the middle, but for a baby quilt that will be washed frequently, should I also add some free motion on the RicRac edges? Now that it is finished I am wondering if I should have pre-washed the RicRac?  Do you prewash your RicRac or have any other suggestions?

20 comments:

Bev C said...

Hello, I love your comment about ageing the quilt. I don't know about pre-washing the ric-rac but I guess it would tend to shrink a bit if it is going to be washed a fair bit. Good luck with it. Happy days.

Diane said...

It looks lovely, I've never used ric-rac in a quilt, hope someone else can help.

Mary said...

Cool looking D9P on Point! Haven't made one like that, YET!

Mary Johnson said...

I'm not usually a fan of D9P quilts but this one looks interesting.

a) I think the single line down the middle will be fine -- it might curl up some on the edges but it won't fray and unless you plan to try and quilt the entire edge down it's going to curl in some places anyway right??

b) I don't prewash anything!

Marit said...

I love how the ric rac added some direction to this pattern, it turned out very pretty. I have not tried this, myself, so I'm afraid I have no advice for you on the subject.
Thank you also for your nice visit!

Karen said...

What a difference it makes putting the blocks on point. Very interesting.

Lori said...

I don't think it will fray. I use to add it to nightgowns for my Mom, never a problem.

Very pretty Quilt!

Susan said...

Having seen your lovely quilt I am definitely going to look for my disappearing nine patch fabric that I put away eons ago.

It really looks lovely. What size were the blocks originally and how many did you have?

Heather said...

your quilt looks lovely. Great idea to add the ric rac. I think it will curl up on the edges. I haven't used the stuff in years so can't remember. I know I used it on some kids stuff, but it wasn't 100% cotton, I don't recall it shrinking.

Dresden Quilter said...

I don't think it looks odd at all. I really like it. I don't anything about ricrac to help you.

Libby said...

Oh the ric rack is perfect. Seeing it always reminds me of my Grandma who what a master at applying it to so many things from clothing to dishtowels. I bet you'll be fine without a pre-wash . . . . I don't think Grandma ever pre-washed a thing *s*

Ginger Patches said...

I think it's adorable!! I have only put rick rack on table toppers and it washed fine. It curls up a bit if you have just sewn down the middle I think...I'm trying to remember, they're all holiday quilts so I don't have any unpacked right now. So totally unhelpful lol!! Anyway I love the on point setting, it doesn't look odd to me at all :)

Amy said...

Hey dear
First of all, the quilt looks FUN! It reminds me of those hanging-beaded-curtains with that ricrac :0)

Second, the ric-rac (in the long run) will curl up, but what a fun textural element :0) Kind of like a "rag" quilt; it should hold up just fine with the line of quilting down the middle. Pre-washing definitely isn't necessary (in my humble opinion) ;0)

Happy Friday

Vicki W said...

What an adorable quilt! Is the ricrac 100% cotton or a blend or poly? It may shrink a little. The points will curl when it's washed but that's not necessarily a bad effect.

Lindah said...

What a good idea to put the D9P on point --with the line of ricrac running through the centers, it reminds of Chinese lanterns. Makes me think of summertime parties with the lanterns hanging from the trees. Fun!

scraphappy said...

What a nice effect from regular little nine patches. I love the ric-rac. I'm sure it will curl up at the edges, but just tell them it is supposed to do that and call it part of the effect. Intent is the only difference between a mistake and a design decision after all.

sewnut said...

how genius!

Anonymous said...

Looks great, Kathy! No help on the ric rac either, sorry.

Erzebat said...

hiyall,
that is a D9P pattern I havent tried, I really like it! very pretty in pinks and whites! I may have to do one in black and red with some pink and green. you have inspired me!your rick rac will do fine. instead of straight stitch use a zig zag. it will still curlup a little bit but that will add charm to the quilt. nothing makes a quilt quaint as adding some rick rac!~ (mauh) Liz

Crystal Stanworth said...

ooo, i like it on point! very pretty!