How To Flatten a “Not So Perfect” Quilt Top or Border!
YES, it can be done! I learned this method from a wonderful class with Sharon Schamber. You can use starch and heat to reduce wobbles and waves from any quilt top, border, or block! I did this last week with a beautiful, vintage top. The quilt was machine pieced and hand appliqued in the blocks.
This is what the block looked like before I created the magic! There was at least 2 inches of extra fabric in the center. After I sprayed the block and ironed, it was almost flat. I was able to start stitching at this point with NO WRINKLES OR CREASES!
The final block looks like it was perfectly flat to begin with!
As usual, I used my favorite quilting rulers for lots of ditch stitching on this quilt.
Now, if you’re still wondering how this whole starch and shrink thing works, watch this quick video. I learn by watching, so I hope the visual helps you too!
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Bonnie Hernandez
May 2, 2016
Thanks! That was very helpful! Love your work!!!!
[email protected]
May 3, 2016
Thanks Bonnie!
Lynne Rainen
January 18, 2020
This is a great video. Thanks. I was wondering whether this method (starch, heat) also works on already quilted quilts. Have you ever tried this?
Kelly
January 29, 2020
I highly doubt it, but I’ve never tried.
Pegi Cromartie
January 29, 2020
I am thinking the reason this wouldn’t work on well used quilts is because all the shrinking has happened that is ever going to happen. Also, I’m thinking that the fabric has not been pre-washed, am I correct? thanks Kelly
Kelly
January 29, 2020
Well, it’s already been quilted, so there’s not much to adjust at that point. I have no idea about prewashing, but it works on almost anything I put on the longarm. It has something to do with the starch and heat. Shrinks all cotton fabrics a little each time.
Maggie
May 30, 2016
I just happen to be doing this now! The 12.25″ squares are okay but the 3″ squares at the four corner in the sashing are lousy! Can I use the spray starch on just those 3″ squares??? Will it stain the other area?
[email protected]
May 30, 2016
It should be fine, just make sure to do a small test to make sure colors don’t run.
Maryann Doucette
November 29, 2017
Thank you so much! I have a border to do right now. Happy holidays!
[email protected]
December 1, 2017
Awesome, glad you found this!!
Maura Capiak
November 20, 2019
Thank you so much. I’m still a newbie. I dont have a longarm, but how it will work on my machine. I’m using a walking foot.
Sherry
April 21, 2018
Awesome information
Kelly
April 23, 2018
Thanks!
leeanne
May 2, 2016
Thanks Kelly. Pretty quilt that you have brought to life!
Janie
May 3, 2016
Wonderful tip and demo. Will be remembering that one every time i have a wonky border! Thanks!
[email protected]
May 3, 2016
Thanks Janie!
Beata
May 3, 2016
Thank you for sharing. I didn’ do it with starch and heating but with water and heating /or becoming dry, if you have time;-)/ and it works good to me. I used to “overpress” my patchwork blocks sometimes and it was hard to put them together properly so I decided to try the natural cotton fiber tendency to shrink.
Best regards :-).
/ I hope it make sense despite of my poor English/.
[email protected]
May 3, 2016
Thanks Beata, your English is great!
Shari
May 3, 2016
I use the “AZ press” with a good spray of water while I’m loading the baking and let the dry desert air/heat smooth it out nicely. I’ve used water without heat on the top, but I like your idea of the starch. I’m going to give it a try with some borders I’ve got sitting in my bing waiting to be quilted.
[email protected]
May 3, 2016
Water works OK, but there is something about the starch!
Lynne Stucke
May 3, 2016
Wonderful video with great tips. Thank you.
[email protected]
May 3, 2016
Thanks Lynne!
Marsha cline
May 3, 2016
Kellie thank you for your great tips. Will try this. Thank you, Marsha Cline
[email protected]
May 3, 2016
Thanks Marsha!
Virginia McKenna
May 3, 2016
The only thing I can say is Amazing!!! Well maybe two things, now I really wish I had a long arm but I will be content with what I have now. Thanks for sharing.
[email protected]
May 3, 2016
Thanks Virginia!!
Amanda
May 3, 2016
That happens to me all the time! I can’t wait to try this and see how it works. Thanks for the info!
[email protected]
May 4, 2016
You are welcome! It’s magic!
linda-kaye
May 4, 2016
Hey Kelly, thanks so much for sharing this video! As a newer follower it was a pleasure to see you in action. I love seeing your work!
[email protected]
May 4, 2016
Thanks Linda Kaye!
Patty Hecke
May 4, 2016
Great to know ahead of time! Thanks Kelly!
[email protected]
May 4, 2016
You’re welcome, Patty!
Heide
May 7, 2016
You quilt is lovely. Great fabrics and fantastic quilting
[email protected]
May 9, 2016
Thanks Heide!
Mona Keegan
May 30, 2016
Lyn, thanks for making this video. Wonderful help and very clear. mona
Mona Keegan
May 30, 2016
Kelly, senility has set in for me. I apologize for confusing your name in the previous comment. I follow both you and Lyn Durbin for quilting on fb. I did buy your rulers, though. And, I really did enjoy this post & video. Thanks, mona
[email protected]
May 30, 2016
No problem, Mona! I get senility! Mine’s not much better 😉 Thanks for following me AND Lyn!
Karen
July 15, 2016
Is there a method for flattening blocks before quilting? I’d like to quilt a vintage top on my domestic machine, but, like your example, there is extra fabric in some of the blocks. I can see the advantage to stretching the top prior to starch and heat. Any suggestions?
[email protected]
July 17, 2016
Hi Karen, you can “block” your quilt before quilting. You’ll need an ironing board surface or something you can use an iron on. You would pin down the quilt, spray with starch, then take a steam iron over the surface.
Karen Flanigan
July 17, 2016
Thanks!
Melissa
March 10, 2018
Do you think this would work with Best Press starch alternative?
Kelly
March 11, 2018
I’ve not ever tried it. I do believe it needs to be true starch. I’m not sure what Best Press is made of. Give it a try on something that doesn’t matter!
Pegi Cromartie
March 31, 2018
I realize that this was an after demo so I’m wondering if you just floated the iron over the piece or actually applied it to the top. Thanks.
Kelly
April 2, 2018
Just float the iron over the top for the steam.
Brenda Nixon
April 25, 2018
This is just what I needed! My center block is baggy, ugh! Everything else, so far is flat. I hope this works.
Kelly
April 25, 2018
Fingers crossed, it should!
Kelly
November 29, 2019
I’m not sure that it will unless you’ve created a basting line all around a taut quilt. You would need to block the top before quilting.
Eileen LaGreca
July 20, 2020
I’ve been asked to quilt a quilt that the blocks measure 7 inches square on the edges but measure 8 inches across in the center both directions. It is 4 kite shapes sewn together with the longer point at each corner and filled in on the sides with a long triangle. How is the best way to hide the fullness? It sticks up like a tent in the center.
Kelly
July 21, 2020
Oh my gosh, that’s tough!! Have you seen my starch and steam video?? I’ll put the link here, but it might work to shrink up the fullness. Starch and steam can do amazing things, you just have to be patient and work it slowly. Are you on a longarm? That’s the only way it will really work. https://youtu.be/In79vxH-IyY