Thursday, March 25, 2010

Testing and stitching

I wasn't going to let the stitchery piece I did languish in a drawer so I made another purse, I'll keep this one, I love it and it turned out to be a fun excercise in doing something different.
I've been jumping around from one project to another for over a year and I hit the wall with flitting from one thing to another for long enough. The test blocks, ufo's, wisp have stonewalled me into some zombie like state of indecisiveness.

What to do next? What I need to do so that I feel like progress is being made is to concentrate and set a few goals.
What to play with? Pick one or two, any will do, what do I feel like? This is the mind working here, the cogs turning over.
So I decided to ignore the nagging from all those other projects for now and chose to make some progress with the Stars and Sprigs quilt.
If you read my blog, you'd know that my prefered method of applique is needleturn. I'm not an applique snob, I'm open to trying new methods or new products.

I decided to explore another way to prep my applique using these Wash-away Applique sheets from C&T Publishing. I thought itf I reversed my pattern pieces and used glue stick to adhere the seam on the back, it might speed the stitching up. I could then place all my pieces with glue and not have as much trouble with placement, not have to use an overlay and it would all go so much faster. Each block gets a wash in warm water afterwards to remove any glue.
Here's the other product I tried with the same method. Floriani Stitch N Wash water soluble tearaway.
You'd think if the product claimed to wash away, that's what would happen. Wrong. The Wash-Away remained on the stiff side and when I cut out the back of a piece, it had adhered to the fabric and nothing seems to have washed away at all. I ditched that idea.  I may do another test with this.

Second product, the Floriani Stitch N Tear is softer after washing and a slit on the back of the pieces allows me to tear away the product since the fusible had dissolved. Apparently, it gets softer with each washing. I think this was the better product to use and I may continiue with this one. It tears away from the back easier using a glue stick to place all the pieces rather than using basting glue. I have heard that this washes away a bit more with every wash, more testing is in order.

Is anyone else wondering how they can claim these products are wash away or water soluble?
I may continue to use the second product for these blocks since it did speed things up considerably, Each of the blocks only took one evening each to complete in front of the telly.
I've also been playing with the gingham Mr Q got for me, lots of limbs and other body parts here. I hope I can show you what they're supposed to be soon.

52 comments:

beth said...

OOOh! I love the little bag and the beautiful applique!

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

Hi Janet, the purse is great!
I'm using the Floriani stitch and wash for the Quilt along that Kellie from Don't Look Now is doing - I haven't tested it though. She says it takes a few washes to wash out, I hope so!

Julia said...

Hi Janet, the purse is great!
I wondered how that wash away works...I've wanted to try it, so I'm glad your testing it out..let us know what you think..good luck.
Julia ♥

Anonymous said...

I have never tried any of the wash away products for applique but you may have inspired me to do so. I usually use the freezer paper method. This would be similar in technique.
The purse is great, btw! :)

Thimbleanna said...

Your little purse is adorable Janet! And your blocks are gorgeous. Thanks for the reports on the stabilizers. I have to have something for my applique -- I can't do needle-turn!

Jan said...

Janet, I love your little purse, the stitching is wonderful!

Thanks for the opinion on the wash-away, I have only done needle turn and freezer paper. It's nice to see others opinions on product like this. I think I may give it a try some time....the Floriani. :)

Quilting Queen said...

Hi Janet...love the little purse..is that a form of sashiko? I guess I'll just have to try the new products...I bet I'll go back to the tried and true...It's so hard to change when you get older...just ask me.

Darlene said...

Love the adorable bag, Janet.

I enjoy that you flit because I can experience so many different beauties. :-)

Unknown said...

Product reviews are always great! Thank you for testing for the rest of us in blog land. Your applique is gorgeous and I can't believe that they took only one night to do! Amazing!

sharon said...

Hi, the little bag is divine! I just started using the stitch n wash on a quilt, still hand quilting so has not been in the wash yet. I was using freezer paper for applique. I hated removing it from the applique, so I thought the stitch n wash would be a step up. Now with your try out I am not so sure....we will see. Sharonj.

Janet said...

You have so many wonderful projects on the go I can see it would be hard to choose just a couple to focus on. I love the sprigs and stars blocks. Can you be making bunnies? :0)

Terry said...

Oh I just love that bag! It's a beauty! :0)

Taryn said...

Love the bag and thanks for being the test bunny for the applique products. I am happy I don't have to have the bad experience myself. I am always open to new ideas.

Terrie Sandelin said...

The bag is wonderful. I love the effect of the stitching on it!

Nedra said...

Adding the stitching on the bag is a wonderful idea! And whatever you decide for applique, I know it will be wonderful.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh I often wondered about those products. I love the glued down way of applique, but HATE trying to pull out freezer paper, so I wondered if those things would work. So nice to read your findings! And WOW! I LOVE your new pouch. Darn that you love it! I was thinking you should throw it away in my trash can!!! :)

That looks sooo cool!

Deb said...

Hi Janet, your purse looks fabulous. I love the way you do the experimenting for all of us-lol. Those ginghams are adorable, my favourite type of fabrics with the polka dot of course.
hugs Deb

Deb said...

Hi Janet, your purse looks fabulous. I love the way you do the experimenting for all of us-lol. Those ginghams are adorable, my favourite type of fabrics with the polka dot of course.
hugs Deb

Miriam said...

I love how you made your big stitching project into that cute purse. Love the tassel!
I tend to flit between projects too!
I am using the Floriani product for my Jacob's Coat quilt too. I have found completely soluble product at Spotlight that looks and feels similar, (not fusible, though) and is sold by the meter. It is used for machine embroidery. Maybe that will work when used with a glue stick.
I really love the fabrics you are using for your Stars and Sprigs quilt.

antique quilter said...

the little purse is beautiful
I LOVE IT, the stitching is amazing , just adds sooo much.
sometimes quicker is not better, I never had success with those wash away products either.
your blocks looks wonderful.
Kathie

Cathi said...

The bag is fabulous!!
I've wondered about those wash-away products but have never bought them. Perhaps a lot of WIPs are just part of the creative process. I know they are for me.

Pine Valley Quilts said...

Hi Janet

Your bag and quilts are lovely.
I have also tried the wash-away product and was dissapointed. I have been playing with machine applique and have found spray starch to be my method of choice.
love your blog
pinewood

PatchworkRose said...

Hi Janet
I am using the Floriani Stitch and Wash with my applique in the CWBQ. It does say on the website that it takes a couple of washes for it to feel softer. I did test it and after first wash it does feel a little softer. I do hope like you that it will keep getting softer. I do find applique so much easier using this product.
Just adore your little bag. It has so much personality and the texture of the stitches add another layer. I love it.
Cheers
Lynne

Valentina said...

Hi Janet, I can't get over how lovely your pouch looks, the stitches have added a whole new dimension to the whole, marvelous!
I am very grateful that you are testing these products for us. I love how your sprigs are turning out. And I am also grateful that you admit being just overwhelmed as the rest of us in focussing on just ONE project at the time! "May we be presented in Heaven with all the Quilts we intended to make here on earth!" :)

Anonymous said...

That little bag with the big stitching is adorable! ; )

Hmmm, I'm not sure I understand how you're using the 'wash away' products...as a fusible to hold your applique shapes in place?

I too am a needle (tooth pick) turner. Freezer paper on the right side, trace then sew. I actually use Elmer's School Glue (BLACK label) and heat set my shapes in place with a dry medium hot iron. Unconventional?!..I KNOW!!! I learned this technique from Sharon Schamber!!! And, I haven't looked back. : )

Kim D. said...

Very cute bag and I love your applique blocks, just gorgeous. Interesting products, nice to hear you're testing them out for us.

Barb said...

Yes, I love the purse too...the applique and the information, thanks so much!!

Carol said...

The little purse is wonderful! Thank you for the review on the wash away stabilizers...I've wondered about those.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Very sweet little purse. I leave the applique to the experts. I am curious about the gingham parts.

Kaaren said...

Even though you're unsettled and are flitting from one project to another, you're still 'doing' and not just sitting idle.

I admire the fact that you still want to try new things and are willing to experiment. Kudos to you, Janet.

Hopefully it's just a 'betwixt and between' stage and you'll find just the right project to sink your teeth into and see it to the end. If not, continue flitting because eventually everything will get done...right? *wink*

Anonymous said...

Janet...I could quickly see why you love the bag...it is fantastic! I really enjoy when bloggers give me a TRUE review of products.

Crispy said...

The bag is VERY pretty and I love the Stars & Sprig blocks. How sad to end up with all that stiffness, a hard lesson to learn. I too am starting to get overwhelmed with all my "starts" which is why I'm getting some of my UFO's out of the way :0)

Crispy

broderie said...

i have used and had experience with a wash a way called soluweb, when used in embroidery to transfer a design onto a dark or thick fabric that you can't see through on a light box. the fabric is actually a starch and needs more than just a dunk in and out of water. the water needs to be warm and it also needs to be rinsed a couple of times in clear water to remove all trace of any residual starch left floating in the water. i imagine they are all made of a similar formula.

Lori said...

I love your big stitch bag Janet!! You put the wonderful fabric ad test stitching to great use!!
Your applique blocks look terrific. I like to see your take on the washaway. I'll probably not ever use it but its nice to know how it works.

Doris said...

That is so good to know about the Wash-Away, I was thinking of getting some to try, but glad to have your feedback. I'm guessing bunnies on those body parts, but not sure there are enough appendages there to include the ears!

I so hear you on the indecisiveness, that has been part of my problem!

Stina Blomgren said...

Hmmm.. crazy products ... well I think I stick to the old ones..... so far..:o)
Love yout new pouch.. love the stiches... nice effect...

And I love the cute little limbs in gingham... sweet..:o)

Ginger Patches said...

I can totally relate to going from project to project and the backlash of that! I am way too anxious to start new things and too easily put away the old...I love your little bag, those big stitches are great!

Browndirtcottage said...

I think your new stitching bag project was a success! It looks great!!
Thanks for the info on your test run with these products. Just this last week I had been on several blogs reading and reading about all the different ways to hand applique. I had already read about Sewpam63's idea on the glue...maybe we need to give that a try too!!
Oh My....gingham body parts...I can't wait!!!

Ann Champion said...

I love your little purse. The texture is wonderful!

It's hard to stick to just one project. We get so much inspiration for new projects everywhere we look. I love the blocks you've chosen to work on.

Those gingham bits look like kitties to me. :)

Sue-Anne said...

Your little purse looks fantastic Janet! Your applique blocks are fantastic too. Over the years I have tried a couple of different methods for applique but always go back to needleturn. I will be interested to see what your final evaluation is on these products. Thanks for sharing the information.

alobsiger said...

I so appreciate your testing info, Janet! After purchasing a roll of the Floriani, I was surprised to learn that it doesn't actually wash away. I found it not to be quite stiff enough for my purposes but still feel I need to work with it some more (practice makes perfect) and give it another chance. Adore the bag! What a wonderful use of your stitched fabric. :-)

Nicky said...

Have made a similar pile of limbs myself from Homespun so I think I know what you are doing

Carrie P. said...

Interesting little body parts.
lol
Nothing wrong with needle turn.You definitely can get to the applique part quicker.

Annette said...

Thanks so much for sharing the tutorial on your little purses. I think they are so sweet and your instructions were very clear. I had so much fun making some of my own and posted them on my blog.

Robin said...

Very cute little bag! I can sympathize with the zombie-like state. Most of the time, I'm happy to have so many projects happening at once. But sometimes, I get to that same point of zombie indecision.

Thanks for the info on the Floriani and Wash Away sheets. I've heard tell of them and was curious how they worked. You've provided some great info!

Miriam said...

I want to let you know I have nominated you for a Sunshine Award. Congratulations! The award is for bloggers who inspire positivity and creativity. Thank you for the inspiration!
Take a look at your award on my blog.
http://yellowrosequilts.blogspot.com/

Cyndi loves to stitch said...

ooooh, I came here to check out a tuorial i found mentioned and sunhine yellow's blog, but was BLOWN away by your opening picture. WOW! Love it, love it, love it! Will be checking here frequently! cyndi

Jantine said...

Love the purse! It is a keeper indeed.
Don't quite get what you mean with your appliqué method actually...

Cath Ü said...

I am just learning needle turn applique... I am lazy and try to skip steps and it showed in my first attempt... but I will get the hang of it... I am enjoying reading about your needle turn using the wash away products.. I do call them that with tongue in cheek after reading what happened... The wee Bunnies look terrific there too... LOL

Cath's Blog

Cath Ü

Beth Ferrier said...

Hey Janet,
I've been testing the Wash Away Sheets for a couple of years and I can promise you that they do indeed wash away. Since the paper disintegrates (as opposed to dissolving), it does take more than a swish in the water to make it gone.

There is a slight scrim left behind (that's the fusible part), but once the piece is quilted no one will ever know it's there.

I've washed many projects and have been really thrilled with the outcome.

Beth

Beth said...

PS
I love your Stars and Sprigs. Your fabric choices are delightful!

Barb said...

Love the little purse -
thanks for the product testing. Like you I'm a needle turn gal, but love to see what's what out there.