Soaked and Blocked

True Colors finally came off the frame tonight.  I was starting to think it was going to stay up there forever, no really.  It has been like weeks, much too long.

So, during my Facebook postings many people asked me what my soaking process was.  Well, I have two -- the super quick, throw the quilt in the bathtub and run water on it until its wet, roll it up in a towel and then start the blocking process.  And then there is the other way -- when I have lots of foundation applique that needs to soften or in this case that as well as removing the white markings.  If you don't remember the markings, look at this post.  As this was the first time I was using this water soluble marking pen, I did a test sample on the same fabric as the quilt.  It didn't just wash away when spritzed with water, I really need to soak the piece before the markings disappeared.  So, in this case, I put the quilt in the washing machine and let it fill with very hot water.  Then, I let it sit, swished it every so often, and let it sit again.  I do this for probably 20 minutes or so.

Then I drain the water and let it spin just enough so that it is not dripping as I carry it over to the blocking foam.  Easy enough, right?

Then I start the blocking, pulling and pinning, and working the quilt flat.  It usually takes about three times around the quilt and some sore fingertips for me to achieve perfect results.  But blocking is magical -- it totally makes your quilt flat!

So then we have this:

And there it sits, under the fan until it is dry.  I usually leave it blocked for at least two days.  We'll see, I really, really, really need to get the binding on this!

More pics soon, you know the real ones with perfect lighting, etc.  Oh, and if you want to see this beauty up close, it'll be in a special exhibit at IQA's new show, Quilt! Knit! Stitch! in Portland, OR this August (next month)!