To Wash or Not?

Although some quilters never pre-wash their fabrics, I nearly always do. I don't want any surprises

when I wash a finished quilt. Some cotton fabrics bleed, particularly reds, purples and other vivid colors.

My story: Assuming that wall hanging will never be washed isn't safe. I had a sample hanging in a store, there was a fire down the way in the strip mall. My quilt was smoke damaged. The conservator they consulted told them to dry clean everything, so they did!

What if your quilt contains several different unwashed fabrics--and some of them shrink more than others? Uneven shrinkage could cause puckers and distortions the first time the quilt is washed.
Some quilters intentionally use unwashed fabrics to assemble a quilt because the puckers left over after the first wash give the quilt a vintage appearance. If vintage isn't the look you're going for it's best to pre-wash your fabrics.

I use a laundry additive called Synthropol. (What is Synthrapol? It is a special detergent used in pre-scouring fibers before dyeing, and in washing out excess dye.)  Add a capful  to each load of fabric keeps loose dyes from depositing on other fabrics during the wash.

I press and starch everything before I fold and put it away, I like them ready to cut when I'm ready to use them.

Spring? Really?

My new mantra is "It's spring, it's spring". My sister says I am always ready for spring, and it's true.
Visited University Village which is Seattle’s only outdoor lifestyle shopping center. There is a unique mix of locally-owned boutiques, signature fashion and home-furnishing retailers and a distinct collection of restaurants and eateries.

Easter?

We spent Easter at Din Tai Fung. The restaurant was founded in Taipei, Taiwan in 1958 as a cooking oil retail shop. In 1972, it transitioned into a full fledged restaurant specializing in soup dumplings and noodles. The restaurant was soon winning rave reviews from all over the world. The tradition of Din Tai Fung continues today in its locations in the United States, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, and Thailand.

Great food, I recommend the Garlic Green Beans!

Appliqué at Seabeck Bay

I spent last week with the women of the Applique Society.  Michele Bylum and I were the teachers. The Quilt Shop Hop they visited Quilted Strait in Port Gamble and Pacific Fabrics in East Bremerton.

Please visit the Seabeck Conference site to see the beautiful country.