Quilting is the process of joining at least three layers of fabric together, and it is an essential part of sewing. Don’t know whether you do it manually or mechanically, but it is evident that you are facing some issues while quilting, and that’s the reason you are here.
We welcome. This post contains the best solutions for fixing quilting mistakes. Are you there to grab them in a while?
Okay, here we go!
How Do I Fix Quilting Mistakes?
Today we will give you three brilliant solutions in this respect. You will learn how to fix this problem with the help of fabric glue, permanent fabric markers, and hand sewing. The details are waving at you!
Fixing by Fabric Glue
In fabric art, fabric glue is necessary, indispensable to be more exact. Mistakes are very natural in sewing, no matter how expert you are. So it would help best if you learned how to utilize fabric glue.
You see, fabrics have a much higher fray rate comparatively. Do you want them to fray right through the seam? Well, then you have to stitch them too close to the edge. Alternatively, your stitch length should be a little bit too loose for that specific fabric.
However, the problem is- it does not come into being as you expect. Merely when you sew down all around and leave it unbreachable to get that exact spot, it starts working. Perhaps you are a sufferer of such an issue. It becomes a matter of pain when you have big stuff to quilt.
No worries, fabric glue can be your savior! You will have a number of top-notch fabric glues out there. Better choose one that dries invisibly and can endure endless washings. You will need to wait merely 24 hours to let your fabric glue work for you. It is that simple!
Apart from that, you had better utilize fabric glue as an extra hold for buttons, beads, etc. It provides you with additional protection that means it won’t get loose. And you can do another thing for added security. Use a drop on the thread knots on the backs of your quilting project.
There might be a case of free-motion quilting where you have gone too fast. And as a result, your bobbin thread might get very loose. In such a situation, you just glue it! You don’t need to rip it out. You don’t need to restart the whole project at all!
Fixing by Permanent Fabric Markers
The Sharpie Permanent Fabric Markers are the best among all. No matter whether you go to Walmart or Amazon, you will have them available. These are the best markers to mark out mistakes and ease your quilting.
Experts usually use a 24-color set. For example, if you love to use too much bling, you better use a few gold and silver colors. Otherwise, darker colors such as black, navy, and brown are most handy to fix quilting mistakes.
Let us share a trick for the sake of your backing. When you need to sew with beige, use a matching marker plus color over the beige. Then the beige will be no more! On the other hand, your backing might be a dark fabric, and you would select a light thread for quilting.
In that case, you merely need to employ a fabric marker and color over the lighter thread that matches. Thus, you will get your desired thing!
You will have these markers particularly beneficial for your custom appliques that are so small that you cannot sew. Oh yeah, you may prioritize something else than the dark colors too!
You can utilize fabric markers on the backs of my projects as well. When? There might be a case where you have sewn something down by hand, and there is a mismatch between the thread color and the backing fabric. Nothing to wonder about, matching thread to the front instead of the back also becomes urgent in some cases.
Fixing by Hand Sewing
Hand sewing is not only a tradition but also a need. In some projects, machines do not work. You can cover lots of detail through hand sewing. So it would help best if you kept some hand-sewing needles, and scissors near you. These will be enough to fix quilting mistakes.
Know-How to Avoid Common Quilting Mistakes
As a beginner, chances are very high that you will make mistakes. It’s natural. However, when we become familiar with some common mistakes in advance, we can remain cautious and avoid them significantly.
Forgetting Pre-wash, Starch, and Press
Before starting a project, it is essential to pre-wash, starch, and press fabric. Many beginners either ignore this or forget. Some mistakenly think these are unnecessary time-worthy jobs. However, the fact is, it saves your time and helps avoid lots of trouble.
For instance, you will find starching superbly beneficial while piecing patchwork blocks. You would be glad to know that a stiff fabric that is not easily distortable maximizes the accuracy of the piecing.
Straight Grain Versus Cross Grain
It would help best to cut borders or sashing on the straight grain. The reason is- the fabric does not stretch to the amount you need when cutting on the cross-grain. Besides, it will be wise to pay heed to the outside edges while cutting pieces for a patchwork block. You had better cut it into pieces. This way, you will cut them on a straight grain.
Squaring up Bocks Prior to Gathering Them into the Quilt Top
It is another common mistake with beginners. Generally, we create blocks in different sizes while sewing patchwork blocks. You should keep continuing if you intend to follow a square pattern from the very beginning.
On the contrary, you need to ponder before you cut the blocks. You can come up with different block sizes if the difference is not too big. To be more specific, it should not be larger than 1/4” or 3/8”.
There might be intersection points at the block’s outside edges. If you square up, it will change the seam allowances of the blocks. Moreover, you will come up with chopped-off points if you piece the blocks together.
Needles Type Issue
You are mistaken when you start free motion quilting despite being run out of Jeans needles. Yeah, it’s true that the Topstitch needle creates a substantial difference in this respect, however, you will have the (Jeans) Knitting needle comparatively better.
Wavy Borders
If you leave wavy borders, you will face trouble. True that it helps you move ahead faster and you will be late with your project ultimately. Why? It is because this is not the most precise way of adding borders.
So you have to think about how to fix quilt-building mistakes in this regard. If you fail to discover the problem before or after quilting, then you will face wavy borders. No worries, there is a tactic to minimize the border size so that it becomes smaller than the center of your quilt.
For this, you have to measure the top vertically, the left and right edges, and through the center. Then come up with an average measurement so that you can employ this to cut the vertical borders. Afterward, add them to the apex of the quilt.
Following that, you need to measure the top horizontally, the top and bottom edges, and through the center. And again, use the average size and cut the horizontal borders.
Finger Pressing Versus Pressing
Did you know pressing may misshape your blocks? In spite of having some benefits, it has some drawbacks. Remember, when your blocks require many steps, and seams along a lot of pressing, you will face unfit pieces.
There would be some edges that you are yet to sew. So even if you press, dare not touch the iron edges when there are edges cut on the bias. Therefore, it would help best if you iron instead of pressing. And please don’t create a zigzag motion as you do at the time of ironing.
Instead, press and lift the iron and push it toward the next area. Then put the iron down and keep pressing. It will be wise to press only if you are done with the block.
Preferring Straight Seam instead of Diagonal Seam
You mistake when you piece binding strips with a straight seam instead of a diagonal seam. If you do the opposite, you will taste the benefit. What sort of benefit is that?
The binding will lay flat, and the quilt edge will be smoother. Overall, it will achieve a better shape.
Piecing Thread Quality Issue
Sometimes we rely on a cheap thread and pay for that. So we would like to recommend Aurifil for piecing. You can not only employ it in the needle, but also in the bobbin. You will find the seam smoother. Most importantly, the thread won’t fall apart, and you don’t need to clean it again and again.
Fearing Seam Ripper
When you get afraid of a seam ripper you make a colossal mistake. Otherwise, it’s natural to make mistakes and unpick. You will have to do it when you get engaged in a big project like quilting for a show. No worries, the more you gain experience in unpicking free-motion quilting stitches, the more you excel and do it in a shorter time.
Perfectionism
Do not let the ghost of perfectionism intrude on your mind. It will sicken you. You had better think that there is nothing like perfectionism, and you just need to carry on. Interestingly, you can give your best only in this way!
Frequently Asked Questions And Answers
Question: Do you quilt from the center out?
Answer: No. You should not quilt the lines that are stitched from one side to the other. It will help you avoid any distortion.
Question: Why does my quilting pucker?
Answer: Usually, pucker in the quilting is a consequence of a basting process. There might be issues like unspread or insecure backing in the process. Or, if you use too few safety pins, you may face this.
Question: Can I use an all-purpose thread for quilting?
Answer: Obviously, you can! It is an apt choice for hand quilting. Actually, it depends on what you sew.
Question: How do you adjust the tension on a quilt?
Answer: In small increments, you need to change a dial or computer setting to adjust the tension on a quilt. On the other hand, you may prioritize employing an industrial tensioner in need.
Question: Why does my sewing machine run noisily?
Answer: A noisy machine can be a consequence of needle damage. Or, it may also mean the lint or oil is collected on the hook or needle bar.
Question: Why is my fabric bunching up?
Answer: It is called tension pucker. Perhaps you were sewing with too much tension. Whenever the thread tries to regain its original length, it comes up with the seam that causes pucker. And it becomes visible a bit later.
Question: How do you prevent drag when quilting?
Answer: Well, for this, you need to make your quilting space as flat and slippery as possible. You will get additional control over your stitching if your quilt glides across the surface of your machine and table efficiently.
Question: What thread tension should I use?
Answer: Generally, the default position is 4.5 for normal straight-stitch sewing since the dial settings run from 0 to 9. It is favorable for most fabrics.
Question: Can you use a pencil to mark a quilt?
Answer: Sure, you may feel free to use a pencil, pen, or marker. Particularly, if you are looking for a temporary mark on your fabric, you better choose a marking pencil made for fabric!
Question: What is seam puckering?
Answer: It means the accumulation of a seam at the time of sewing, after sewing, or after laundering. It results in a problematic seam appearance. You will find it a common issue with woven fabrics.
Wrapping Up
Now you have all the know-how to deal with quilting mistakes. You do not merely know the best three means to fix them but also the ten common issues to avoid while quilting. Now, who can stop you?!
It’s high to keep rocking in the sewing world. We wish you a stroke of good luck! Have a good day!
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