Allow for Shrinkage

Over the weekend I started these two baby quilts and I was so happy with the progress I had made on them in such a short time.

Then I washed and dried the finished quilts and was astounded at how much they shrank. They shrank so much I could not use them for baby quilts without repairing them.

So for the last several evenings after work, I have spent my sewing time cutting off bindings, adding quilted panels to each side to widen the quilts and rebinding them. I even had to make an extra trip to the fabric store to get more fabric for binding.

Then I had to redo my Etsy listings to reflect the changes in the finished quilts.  I also adjusted the prices, because they are not as perfect as I want them to be.

Here is what I learned: 

     I am not going to start pre-washing fabrics and battings. I like the look that comes when the quilt goes through the machine washing and drying and comes out crinkly and soft.  However, I am going to take into account that significant shrinkage can occur and be more generous in my dimensions to start with.

I also learned that sewing through several layers of double folded binding and batting will bend a needle. More than one needle.   Schmetz needles, too.   Ouch.

So they are finally done and relisted in the store. Lessons learned and I am ready to move on to the next successful quilting project.

Gale