Mare,

What colors did you use for your baby quilt? Inquiring minds want to know.

Vicky

AND want to see pictures!

Man this one is really taking off! Oknana, we better not miss a day of dancing or this one might go east!

UUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH! Now I rememmber why I quit washing and ironing my fabric before I used it. I forgot how much I hate those steps! I usually just put my fabric away on a shelf til I want it, then I cut it up and sew my blocks. After the quilt is all done and bound, then I wash and dry it before giving it away. I've never had a problem in all the years I've been making quilts, with this method.

BUT--for this swap I did do the dreadful deed! In fact, I had my cutter in hand, ready to make my first cuts when I remembered that I had to wash and dry first!

Now I'm all caught up and can do the fun part--ready to cut and sew, ladies. And I already have my layout planned for when Deb and I win those blocks!

It is so nice to see so many Happy Blocks being sewn for this month!

Sharon, when I first started quilting I dutifully washed and pressed all my fabric before I cut. Then one time I did not for some reason and I found I liked the way the quilt looked when it was washed afterward.

Then I started joining the swaps here and I dutifully washed and pressed fabric only for the swaps.

Now I have found I like working with the washed and pressed fabric so much that I have gone back to washing and pressing for most projects again.

I have found that fabric will sometimes shrink. If I measure the before and after, the length is often a few inches shorter. I have also occasionally had a fabric, particularly red or dark brown ... even though I use only good quality fabric ... will have the colors run a bit the first time I wash. In this case I wash until the color stops running.

Maybe in awhile I will go back to not pre-washing ...

Here is a pic of the 6" Happy Blocks I made. I am looking for an embroidery design that will fit in the centers, it has to be 2.5 inches. Haven't found anything I like so far.
But I think this will be a cute quilt. I will make more, I love making baby quilts and I really love this style of fabric, old-ish (is that a word!, it is now)
I still perfer not to pre wash my fabric, but I do pre wash for these swaps, I just have to keep any leftover fabrics seperate, so I don't mix them.

Baby_HB.JPG (47 Kb, 18 downloads) Baby HB

Mare that is just darling! Perfect for a baby quilt. When I win, I'm going to ask if everyone will sign the center of one for me!

Sharon, I hate prewashing but I found a system that works for me. When I bring the fabric home it goes straight to the laundry room. I have a pile of washed cottons in my sewing room waiting to be pressed but at least Im halfway there. Sometimes I have my pile strewn all over the place looking through my wrinkled FQs for the perfect fabric. It's a mess but it's a SYSTEM!
I like the idea of embroidery in the center... havent decided yet but by time we win them I'll have it figured out!!! And now, just to counter act the voodoo thats out there...a happy block cheer: GOOOO NEWBIES!!

Well, I finished my Happy blks today & they are so pretty. I've never made a 30's quilt but am collecting fabric to do so. Don't you find 30's fabric just makes you feel good when you look at it or play with it? It just makes me happy
Now my centers are solid fabric but not cream is that ok? I don't remember reading the center had to be a certain color.
Good luck everyone, this is going to be such a cute quilt.
Rebecca P

Vicky, I will be happy to put ya down for 4, just let me know if you want to do more. Thanks for joining!!! Wha-Hoo!!! Rocking along on this 30's theme!!!!

Mare, those blocks are beautiful!!!! I was looking again tonight for just the right pattern to use with all of the Hb's once Jenell and I win the goods in the drawing!!! ROFL!!!




Jenell, dance girlfriened, dance!!!

We are at 100 Blocks now Ladies!!!!





Jenell, that's 50 each!!!! Bring 'em on!!!! Rofl!!!