I don’t know what it is about charm packs, but I think they’re great. I love scrappy quilts, so I guess that’s part of it. I had accumulated a few packs and finally got around to getting them ready to use. Over the past week, this is what I’ve been doing every day — washing a charm pack and hanging the pieces to dry. I don’t like working with unwashed fabric so I’ve been soaking each charm pack I had in some warm sudsy water for a bit, then rinsing and hanging them to dry. I’m always amazed at the fact that there is some shrinkage, even with 5″ pieces.
These are all the ones that have been washed this past week. I don’t have any specific ideas yet but now they’re ready whenever inspiration strikes. Some are solids, some are batiks, some are hand-dyed fabrics and some are prints. I think the batiks are going to be used for star points like the ones in my blue and white quilt, but in a smaller size so it would be a rainbow of stars. That plan, of course, could change radically.
This group consists of two of the same charm pack. I have about 2 yards of one of the prints which I’ll use for a border. I’m not sure quite yet what I have planned for these, but am leaning towards some sort of setting using Drunkard’s Path blocks.
They say we are to get quite a storm today with high winds and lots of rain. And cooler temperatures. One of the weather reports said this was more like a storm we would normally get in November. Great! The summer that wasn’t and now November storms in September? I wonder, does this mean we get winter early and then spring really early, maybe in January?
Lester doesn’t care. He’s comfortable curled up on the couch.
While Smudge is very content having a nap on the chair. Look at those paws!
Quilt Obsession 
I too love these little snacks:) Have you tried drying them on the tiles in the bathroom? ala Tilde? Makes a pretty display while they are drying.Lester looks regal with the toile backround.Alas I am of to work!
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Oooo pretty packs, I think I have most of those LOL. I too love charms. I hand wash mine too but toss them in the dryer, makes a real linty mess but I just stack them up and press when I use them.Crispy
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Love charm packs. They are so versatile and they sure save on a lot of cutting time on some projects. I find they are also a good and inexpensive way to see all the colorways of a fabric line.Love those scrappy quilts!
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Boy you have your work cut out for you to wash all those charms. I agree they are a wonderful way to have a bit of a whole line of fabric and I too love using them. Lester's photo looks as though in a photography studio…it is wonderful! I imagine Smudge will do much more napping as cold weather approaches. Stay warm!!
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Have you tried laying the wet charms out on a towel overnight? I do that with Fat Quarters that I wash and wouldn't dare put through the dryer. Definitely a day for inside – eh? Took DD to school in the car and could hardly see where I was going! Are you planning on visiting the Creativ Festival in a couple of weeks?
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I have never thought of washing my charm packs or fat quarters.When washing then, is there a special soap I should use?When you press them, do you use steam or starch? I do not believe I have ever washed my fabric before any project, but then again I am new to this hobby. I am still learning.I love your work. It is so inspirational. Thank you,Marie
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Whoaaaa Girl….know what you mean about the weather….looked like snow clouds rolling in over the horizon in my neck of the woods!!I like charm packs…but….jelly rolls….hummmm…hummm…good!!Emjoy…LindaMay
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I love charm packs too! They are an almost ready to put together project in a cute little bundle. I must say, they've charmed me!
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I don't buy charm packs but I know the feeling of liking a little bit of a lot of fabrics.Smudge looks so comfy!
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I think I'm going to have to borrow a page from your book and start washing my charm packs, one pack at a time. I prewash all of my fabrics too, so I haven't used any of my charms yet because I can't bring myself to use them unwashed, lol. One pack a day should be easy enough to deal with 🙂 I'll throw them in the dryer tho – if there's going to be any shrinkage from normal washing/drying, I want to know before I start to sew 😀
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I machine wash my charm packs in cold water and dry on low in the dryer. It works like a charm! 🙂
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I love the Charm packs, but I've never tried pre-washing them. I don't like to working with unwashed fabrics either, but I just wasn't sure if the charms would shrink to nothing. I may give it a try 😉
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Cathi,I can't wait to see what charming pretties you are going to come up with using these charm packs!
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I also wash my charm squares, but throw them in the dryer. Glad to see someone else buying charm packs in groups of 2. Your charms look yummy!
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I haven't used charm packs before, so i look forward to see what you make with them.Great photo of Lester! He is a gorgeous cat!
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Hello Cathi. Enjoying catching up with your blog today. You have certainly been very busy … lots of lovely blocks made. And I love the cross-stitch sampler you finished. I collect charm packs too but don't wash them … actually prefer sewing unwashed fabric.
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