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Thursday, January 27, 2022

Worried About the Dye in Your Fabric?

 Lately, I have received quite a few emails and messages asking about how stable the dye is in Marcus Fabrics.  I've heard heartbreaking stories about dye releasing and ruining quilts.  Truly heartbreaking.

I wrote a blog post in 2015 about my experience with Marcus Fabrics dyes.  You can read that blog post here.

Since then, I've learned a bit more about this subject.  A few years ago, I attended a talk and demo given by Harriet Hargrave.  She brought giant glass jars filled with nothing but water.....different types of water, such as hard, soft, well water, distilled, etc.  

She submerged the exact same piece of fabric into each jar, and began talking about the vast differences, with regard to chemicals and minerals, that each of our water sources might have.  It took no time at all before the dye began to run in some of the water jars.  By the end of the talk, one jar was so loaded with dye you could no longer see the fabric.  Others had a little tinge of color and some had no dye release at all.  

Her point was....there are many factors effecting the release of dye in your fabric.  Yes, the fabric itself and the dye used, the water, and any detergent you add....all play a role.

I live in the suburbs of Chicago, and we enjoy what is locally known here as 'Chicago water' which means it comes from Lake Michigan.  I have no clue how the city of Chicago treats the water (with what chemicals, etc) but I know, so far, I've had no worries about washing my quilts, clothes, anything.

That said, I do not pre-wash a scrap of my fabric.  I do completely saturate it with spray sizing to make the fabric stiff (so, so much easier to cut, piece and press.)  If the fabric dye was going to run, I would know it right away....as soon as the sizing hit the fabric.  It has been years and years since I've had any problem with dye running, but I'm always on the lookout.  

My advice is still the same as it was in 2015....TEST your fabric before cutting it!!!  Use only quilt shop quality 100% cotton! 

One last thing to share....if you do have a quilt where the dye has run, and it isn't a complete train wreck, DON'T DRY THE QUILT!  Instead, turn it over so the top is facing down, and run cold water through the quilt until the dye is gone.  I have seen this work!  It may take a long time to allow the water to rinse the dye completely, but you have a chance so long as the quilt doesn't dry.  There are no guarantees that this will work, but it's worth a try given all the labor you have in the quilt.  I hope this helps to answer your questions.

IN THE STUDIO.....My Love & Hope quilt is finished and is being photographed.  Can't wait for it to come back home.  The fabric is scheduled to arrive at your LQS next month. 

Coming soon is Old Blue Calicos....and two lovely quilts made from the prints in this classic collection.  I'm working on the patterns now, and my sample fabric has just arrived.  So exciting!  Click here to see all the prints in Old Blue Calicos.

I've been posting sneak peeks of Pinks of the Past fabrics on Instagram & Facebook...have you been following me?  Please do!

Keep your needle busy and your heart content.  Be safe out there!





Thursday, January 20, 2022

Quilt Archaeology ~ From the Heart ~ REVEALED!

 

From the Heart is the name of my new Quilt Archaeology sew-along project.  Perfect for a Valentine display or gift for your favorite Valentine!  

This is the antique we are replicating.  I thought it was so sweet and the perfect Valentine quilt.  Our replica is not as large as the original quilt mainly because I couldn't afford to give FREE kits for a quilt this large.  I think the smaller size is just a lovely.

These are the fabrics with which I made my quilt and that will be in your FREE kit.  I loved the classic bubble gum pink fabric with the little red leaves, and chose a classic red floral print and a soft neutral.  I hope you love it as much as I do!  From the Heart quilt measures 14 x 20 inches.

As with every Quilt Archaeology event, I offer a FREE KIT for this exact quilt with a qualifying order.....and, you can sew along with me in the weeks to come.  So, settle somewhere comfy while I tell you all the details.  

Starting right now, and through Sunday, January 23rd,  place an order totaling $45 or more (not including shipping) on my website for anything you'd like, and you will automatically receive a From the Heart kit with your order!!  Nothing to add to your cart.  I'll take care of it all on my end.  

My From the Heart pattern is a FREE digital download.  Whether you're making the quilt with the FREE kit, or would like to make the quilt using your own fabrics, be sure to download the pattern before Monday, January 23rd.   Click here to download the From the Heart pattern.

The From the Heart Sew-along begins Friday, February 4th right here on my blog.  Be sure to sew-along with me.  We will motivate one another to get this little cutie pieced.  I highly recommend preparing your fabric yardage (before cutting anything!) with spray starch or sizing.  This helps immensely with every step, from cutting to piecing.

Let me show you all of the new quilting goodies you can choose from at Heartspun Quilts!

Cheddar & Coal yardage and Fat Quarter Bundles are now available.





There are so many new color-bank bundles to choose from, as well as a ton of patterns, books and notions....and yardage from nineteen different fabric collections.  There's a lot to choose from, so CLICK HERE to go shopping!  

Thank you all for your continued support of my little company.  I just don't know where I would be without you!  The free pattern and free quilt kit is my Thank You gift for your support.  I know you have a lot of choices when shopping for quilting goodies, and I appreciate you more than you know!  

Keep your needle busy and your heart content.  Be well....

Please note:  Pre-orders for the Pinks of the Past fat quarter bundles,  and the Love & Hope quilt kit are not included in the FREE kit offer.  


Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Quilt Archaeology Coming Soon!

 

Guess what's coming this Friday??!!  We're gonna have some fun sewing together again.

Visit my blog again Friday morning for the big reveal of my new Quilt Archaeology project.  Spend $45 or more (not including postage) for a FREE kit for the quilt we're making together.

Lots of new quilting goodies are on my website.  See you Friday morning! 

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Pinks of the Past Pre-Order Opportunity

 

My brand new Pinks of the Past fabrics will soon be delivered to your LQS!!  We are expecting them mid-February or so.  

My Love & Hope quilt has come back from being quilted and is now bound and ready for photography.  I had it home for just a day and took this photo.  It's a very cloudy day which has made the fabrics a bit dull.  They are just lovely, I promise!  The quilt is 75 x 89 and uses all of the pretty fabrics in the collection.

I was able to control the lighting a little better on the close-up shots of the fabrics.

There are twelve pink prints, all from my oldest quilts and vintage fabrics.....


And eight very old, historic reproduction neutral prints.  If you've been following me on Instagram and Facebook, you've seen the vintage fabric and quilts these prints came from.  It's so fun to see the old quilts, blocks and fabrics and what they originally look like.  
For a limited time, you can PRE-ORDER my Love & Hope quilt kit (and optional backing) and get it when the fabrics are delivered!  Order the kit and receive a FREE pattern!  Place your order by January 21st.

Click here to read all the details of my Love & Hope quilt kit and PRE-ORDER yours today!

You can also PRE-ORDER a Fat Quarter bundle of Pinks of the Past and save 10%!!!!  

Click here to PRE-ORDER a Pinks of the Past Fat Quarter bundle at 10% off.

IN THE STUDIO....I am super busy getting fun things planned and sewn for us in the coming months.  I just sent in a new fabric line for later this year, and am working on the new designs for my new Old Blue Calico collection coming in a few months.  It's good that I have so much to keep me busy while I'm at home and doing my best to stay healthy.

I sincerely hope all of you are happy, healthy and stitching.  Keep your needle busy and your heart content!