I know washing big quilts is a thing that many of us put off.
But the time had come -
We had a ton of rain on Friday, leaving standing puddles through the weekend, and SOME DOGS decided that they'd come in, jump up on the bed, and proceed with wet bellies and muddy feet to show their love as they rolled and played all over the bed.
Rockabilly Swing got its first wash and dry!
While I always wash a quilt before gifting it away, I admit to not washing a quilt before I use it myself.
Am I afraid of fabric bleeding? It's in the back of my mind, especially when working with random bits of rescued and donated scraps.
But the quilt HAD to be washed. So into the machine it went, weight distributed as best as I could, with 1 tablespoon of Orvus Paste as detergent. (You can find this miracle in the Keeping it Clean section of the Quiltville Amazon Affiliate Store. I love this stuff - and one tub has lasted me FOREVER.)
When finished, I tumble dried the quilt until it was barely damp, and then hung it over the deck rail to air and dry the rest of the way.
There is something SO refreshing about sleeping under newly washed quilts and bedding. Just THE BEST.
And my worries over possible mishaps were washed away as well - everything held together, and even better - the quilting stitches sink in after washing and drying and the texture of the quilting stands out even more.
Muddy feet and wet bellies? We got you covered!
Are you still working on your own Rockabilly Swing? I know how much time goes into making one - mine is King sized. But I had such a ball making it, using up all of my favorite saved odd scraps.
If you haven't started yet - this is a foundation paper pieced pattern. I love paper piecing by machine to use up odd bits. As long as the fabric pieces are bigger than the space they are going, I don't have to cut them down into some certain size first before sewing on because it is "Sew first, Trim second."
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Give it a try - I know you will have a ball! And those of you working on your own - please remember to tag your photos with #rockabillyswingquilt so I can see your progress!
You'll find the PDF pattern in both the digital pattern section of the Quiltville Store & in the Quiltville Etsy Pattern Shop.
The other side of washing the bedding story? What is with mattress pads these days? I also washed the mattress pad only to have the non-woven backing on it completely shred leaving my washer (And the floor when I removed the pad) covered with shredded polyester fiberfill. That mattress pad was a GONER. SO disappointed that they won't even put a washable fabric on the back of a mattress pad, it's more like a cheap interfacing material.
I did end up going to find a new one, needed ASAP - and all I could find, even from Serta had the same interfacing type backing material. Any ideas where I can get one that is actually FABRIC on the back side?
Father's Day was a lazy one here. I mean it. There was SOME sewing, but not a lot.
After Friday's big storm, Saturday rolled in with much lower humidity and cooler temps making it wonderful to just enjoy the cabin porch with my Kindle Paperwhite and a tall cool beverage. I sad and read while The Hubster enjoyed his day moving dirt with his tractor.
Steaks on the grill for dinner topped off our restful Sunday and we are ready to jump back into the fray and get this week going.
And there was some of this, capturing it the best I can, just for fun. Click to Play:
Run, girls, run!
They usually get their "Twilight Run" just before dark. They run to the top of our property as fast as they can go - egging each other on all the way. They are back within 10 minutes, completely worn out, ready for a snack and bedtime.
This evening we'll be heading down to Jeff's for a belated Father's Day visit with them. I need some Casden time!
Solidarity PDF pattern booklet release!
The pattern booklet for Solidarity includes the directions for Hearts of Hope as a BONUS.
Head on over to the ORIGINAL GIFT-AWAY POST to read all about it and get your entries in.
I'll be drawing for TWO winners! One will receive a Solidarity PDF pattern from me and a Facets of Red roll, and the second will receive the pattern and a Facets of Blue roll from Cotton to Quilts!
If the winners are outside of the USA, we can send the fabric prize to a friend within the USA who can forward it on to you.
And yes, there is introductory pricing!
I've marked Solidarity at 25% off through 7/5/22 in both the Quiltville Store and the Quiltville Etsy Pattern Shop.
Unity and Courthouse Square are also discounted 25% – no coupon code needed.
From your favorite folks at Quiltmaker - open for registration!
Put your scraps to better use by learning how to not only save them but use them to their full potential. This course focuses on block construction, with the final quilt being up to the imagination of the maker. Courses were inspired by my favorite blocks found in my Addicted to Scraps column with Quiltmaker magazine.
You’ll love this course if you are:
- A beginning quilter who wants to learn tips and techniques that will make your quilting experience successful
- A quilter who wants to learn to work with recycled fabrics and scraps of fabric from other projects.
Here’s all the information:
Scrap Quilts with Bonnie Hunter
Workshop runs July 22 – August 19
Early Bird Special: Get $30 off with coupon code SCRAPS30. Valid until July 22
Register now and save!
More answers to your workshop questions HERE.
I think that about covers it all!
How was your own weekend? What are you planning for today?
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
The very things you take for granted someone else is praying for.
Take a good look around you.
Your life is extraordinary!
Have a wonderful Monday, everyone!
Today I am cutting and prepping scrap quilts to work on at Quiltville Inn in August, so excited! First grandbaby is due while I am there, I had a talk with him and told him he needs to come early so I can see him before I go!
ReplyDeleteHe may decide to be a late arrival like all my kids were---12, 8 & 13 days respectively, Of course I don't want to wish that on any mom.
DeleteI must try some of that Orvis on my quilts.. sorry about your mattress pad... plugging away on my Oklahoma Back roads quilt. Had to order a 2 1/2" square die cutter for my neutrals... hope I get it soon.
ReplyDeleteMaybe look at the mattress pads at a Sleep Number store? I think they're at least a little more substantial as they really want you to keep your mattress protected.
ReplyDeleteOne matress pad is from Sleep number, it didn't hold up very well. Seams came apart and a pain to wash. Two other beds have WalMart pads. Love them! Wash after wash, they have held up beautifully. With a toddler and a dog they take some abuse. No. complaints.
ReplyDelete"The very things you take for granted someone else is praying for. "
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this Bonnie... so very true! Feeling great gratitude!
I, too, purchased mattress COVER (not a pad, but protective cover) from the store, Jerome's, when i purchased new mattress... i'm sure you could buy a cover/pad without having to invest in a new mattress (tongue firmly in cheek). Cats in Carlsbad CA
ReplyDeleteIt's a Quilt Guild day. Sunshine in my Window. Lunch with DD#1. Father's day was quiet here. Just a couple phone calls for DH!
ReplyDeleteLove the Rockabilly swing quilt. Sewing scraps is my current addiction and sewing crumb blocks may require intervention an 😁. For a new mattress pad you can look at Tempurpedic’s mattress pads. The top zips off for easier laundering. I’ve had my for several years a and I have liked it.
ReplyDeleteTry Lands End. They're pricy but well made and are all fabric. Check the description or call their customer service to make sure. That interfacing material is only good for clothing, not mattress pads.
ReplyDeleteDoes Orvus paste stop the bleed? I am always concerned about bleeding.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, I bought my mattress protectors from GhostBed online a few years ago when I bought their mattresses. The mattress protectors are high quality, knit top with water barrier backing that washes beautifully and does not separate from the fabric. There's a 2" wide band of elastic that keeps them on the mattress. They're pricey but 25% off right now... I looked... lol. Best I've ever had.
ReplyDeleteperhaps the Company Store will have one that is more natural fibers? I love that story - can be pricing, but worth it for the quality, I think.
ReplyDeleteLook at The Vermont Country Store. Exceptional quality goes in to everything they sell.
ReplyDeleteI have one of theirs and really like it. I held up well in the wash. It was the only one I found with 100% or high percentage cotton.
DeleteIf you find a mattress pad that doesn’t have it….please post! It is one of my biggest gripes.
ReplyDeleteI haven't washed my mattress pad yet, but with what I had to pay for it, it better hold up! I had to buy the store's mattress pad to get the guarantee with the mattress I bought last year. They have you over a barrel.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a restful Father's day. I finally finished my Hearts for Hope quilt last week. We had a young couple from Ukraine over for dinner yesterday. Both sets of their parents still live in Ukraine. I cannot help them there, but I can express my love and hope that things will get better soon. I gifted the quilt to them. She was so very excited to receive it. Thank you for the pattern and encouragement that you give always give us.
ReplyDeleteWe bought a mattress cover from the original mattress factory when we bought our mattress. Required to keep the warranty in place and it has held up well. It is not that interfacing crap.
ReplyDeleteI've used mattress pads from Allyson Brooke Home for many years without any problems. Made in South Carolina.
ReplyDelete