Set That Red Dye

RED: it can run, leak, tint and destroy. I blithely made a simple quilt with red velvet on the top and a natural pin-striped cotton on the bottom. The red leaked out the first time I washed it, so now I have what I call the strawberry shortcake blanket. The velvet is still lovely, but the natural cotton is pink. Very pink. The pink that whipped cream becomes when strawberry juice soaks into it.

So how do you prevent this mishap? Forethought, of course, and either a mother or Google for research. When I wanted to set the dye in some fabric I had just purchased for a baby quilt, I used the computer to help me out.

To make a fabric colour-fast, put it to simmer for 15 minutes in a large pot of water, vinegar and salt. Use 1 cup of vinegar and 1/4 cup salt for 4L water.

When you pour out the water, it will likely be pink. Crisis averted! White t-shirts saved. Now you can safely launder the red fabric as per usual. I would still pre-wash it to remove the salt and vinegar before sewing. A garment, though, could just go in the regular colour wash cycle. I wash everything with cold water, as it keeps the fabrics brighter and saves energy.

Fantastic Fabrics & Itchy Fingers

I feel like I've dived into quilt land in one big headfirst plunge. Zero to 60 in 3 seconds or something. Researching fabrics, pouring over blogs, ogling quilts on Flickr. I can look at people's projects and say, "Oh yeah, that's Alexander Henry's Bird Seed in pink." Two days ago I had no idea who or what Alexander Henry was. Maybe quilting is a disease. I've certainly caught the bug.

Even though I have yet to finish my baby coin quilt, I have multiple ideas sketched out and fabrics chosen (and some ordered, scary & thrilling) for projects two through five. I've converted my best friend to the idea of admiring and wanting a contemporary quilt, and suggested I make said number as her wedding gift. (She's getting married next July, so I think a year is enough time to make a queen size.) Because I just can't wait to get started, but have to for numerous reasons, I thought I'd put some pictures of the fabrics I've chosen up here.





These three (plus others yet to be determined) will go in a child's quilt, square in square, with the brown lattice as sashing so it becomes a "fence" around the gardens.

I adore this Alexander Henry print, Step By Step. It will go in the wedding quilt.

Calico Cats are so happy and joyful, who can resist? It will be a shame to cut them up, so I think they'll go on the back of a "peek-a-boo porthole" baby quilt.

To be honest, I don't have a plan for 2D Zoo. I love it. Mod animals, including an anteater! It will get saved for something special, and I guess this means I've officially started a stash. Oh dear.