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Member since 6/12/12
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Posted on: 10/27/13 7:33 PM ET
Folks,

I'm looking for advice from experienced quilters on making a practical, everyday blanket. I would like the finished item to be machine washable and sturdy. I was thinking of just taking flat cotton sheets, and sandwiching batting (of some material that would allow machine washing).

I'm sure many of you have done this, but I've never made a quilt/blanked before and can use advice, especially on materials and also how to handle quilting materials together that will all be thrown into the machine for washing without different shrinkage rates.

It does not have to be an artistic masterpiece; I'm just tired of sending my commercial quilt to the dry cleaners whenever my cats decide to throw up on it :P.
  
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Posted on: 10/27/13 7:59 PM ET
In reply to LiinSd
I completely understand about the cat throwup. I suggest that anything you make coordinate with the stains they leave. Prewashing the sheets at least 2-3x will help with shrinkage rates. I would stitich closely every 3-4 inches or less so it won't come apart. That said, I did make a quilt from old jeans with 6" blocks with batting & flannel backing which is just tied. It washes fine.
I have plans/want a comforter cover. I will be using Bali Pops in River Rock attached to either a sheet or wide muslin, then very closely quilted. This will be attached to the other fabric for the envelope. The River Rock looks busy enough not to show the fur/cat stains. I will use the Jelly Roll Race pattern.
  
Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 10/28/13 1:15 AM ET
I make all my baby quilts using quilt top and polar fleece back - no batting. They all can withstand being machine washed
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Wellington, NZ
  
Member since 10/9/05
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Posted on: 10/28/13 8:23 AM ET
I make my everyday quilts by piecing a quilt top to a polar fleece backing, too. I usually put in ties every 12 inches or so, so I guess they are technically comforters (?). I've machine "quilted" a couple by sewing around the squares in top, too (I found that to be so bulky, awkward, and difficult that I only did it once or twice).

In any event, they wash and dry just fine and everyone in the family has one -- so they've been tested by kids, adult sons, and a husband -- I'm not an expert by any means but my blankets hold up beautifully with this method.
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Trinity

I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?

http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 1/18/12
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Posted on: 10/28/13 8:40 AM ET
In reply to LiinSd
"I'm just tired of sending my commercial quilt to the dry cleaners whenever my cats decide to throw up on it :P."

Oh how I can relate to that. I use down comforters on my bed here in a colder climate and just hate it when I wake up in the middle of the night to hear that familiar urking sound from one of my dogs (who sleep in the bed with me).
To the dry cleaners we go then to have the comforter laundered!

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Linda




Bernina 830LE - Brother Dreamweaver VQ3000 - Bernina B-770QE - Janome 6600P - Pfaff 1209 - Babylock Evolution - Babylock Sashiko2 - Babylock BLCS-2
  
Member since 6/12/12
Posts: 34
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Posted on: 10/30/13 0:53 AM ET
In reply to Trinity.
Trinity and Skye,

Would you be able to post a picture of what you mean by ties ?
  
Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 10/30/13 1:49 AM ET
In reply to LiinSd
I usually free mtion quilt mine here's example of a quilt panel that I quilted for DS friend front
back
I made my son a quilt backed with polar fleecesmade from his jeans last Xmas and I just stitched in the ditchjeans quilt

I have several baby quilts that I have made recently but no photos yet all using fleece and practicing my free motion.

My first quilts I usually stitched in the dtich or quilted on the diagonal.

Tying works really well too I have done that I couple of times - sorry no photos
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Wellington, NZ
  
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Posted on: 10/30/13 10:34 AM ET
In reply to lgrande
Quote: lgrande
"I'm just tired of sending my commercial quilt to the dry cleaners whenever my cats decide to throw up on it :P."



Oh how I can relate to that. I use down comforters on my bed here in a colder climate and just hate it when I wake up in the middle of the night to hear that familiar urking sound from one of my dogs (who sleep in the bed with me).

To the dry cleaners we go then to have the comforter laundered!


All our beds have down duvets on them. I wash all of them in my home machines. Including the king sized ones. The oldest one in the house is 27 years old and still going strong even with machine washing and drying at home.

They all get washed at least twice a year.

On occasion when I want to wash several in one day, I will take them to the laundry mat and wash them in the front loaders. This lets me wash more than one at a time.

Down does not need to be dry cleaned, water does not harm it.
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Living life to the fullest.

Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
  
Member since 12/3/06
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Posted on: 10/30/13 11:08 AM ET
In reply to LiinSd
All you need is to Google "How to tie a quilter knot".

Click here.




-- Edited on 10/30/13 11:10 AM --
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
Member since 12/31/05
Posts: 267
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Posted on: 11/3/13 7:39 PM ET
In reply to PattiAnnJ
Quote: PattiAnnJ
All you need is to Google "How to tie a quilter knot".



Click here.








-- Edited on 10/30/13 11:10 AM --

That's actually a tailor's knot. It's not just for quilters.
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PennyZ
  
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