Once the baby quilt is done, China Plates will be first in line for quilting. It’s been languishing now for a few months, so it’s time to get this one finished and bound and ready to hang. I made this with the 1.5″ 90-degree hexagon Inklingo collection printing the hexagons on a variety of Oriental prints, the centre squares on an Oriental shirting print and the connecting squares and triangles on a black fabric. I’m not quite sure how I want to quilt it yet, although I do have the thread picked out — a variegated YLI black/charcoal/cream thread.
There were a few questions about washing charms. What does a salad spinner have to do with it? Well, generally I just swish them in some warm soapy water, rinse them, hang them on a clothes horse for a few minutes and then iron them dry but sometimes spin them partially dry by throwing a handful in an old salad spinner and then complete the drying by ironing them. I’m always amazed at just how much they do shrink — at least half an inch on one side so that the 5″ charms generally end up as 4.5″ x 5″ pieces rather than a 5″ square.
Four rows left to stitch on the baby quilt! Aside from quilting China Plates and working on various other projects that are in varying stages, I’m daydreaming about starting a new quilt with stars. While I am tempted to make something with bright batiks and a dark neutral, I’m also leaning towards doing something with the Japanese taupes that are in my stash and making a very muted star quilt with those.
On Tuesday, Lester was snoozing in the kitty bed — with a toy within paw’s reach.
While Smudge was on the couch.
Quilt Obsession 
The salad spinner is a great idea!
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That’s a good idea for drying your charms! Never thought of that:)
Your China plates is quite lovely as are all your other quilt projects.
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Hey I never thought of using a salad spinner!! What a clever idea!! I usually toss the charms in the dryer until barely damp then iron them.
It will be fun to get a project totally done. I’ve forgotten how good that feels LOL.
Crispy
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This is bizarre – I posted a message on the Inklingo Yahoo group about a quilt I found on the Quilt Index using the POTC elongated hexagons – then Renate from Germany answered my post with a link to Susi’s quilt also using the POTC hexagons. And today you post your China Plates! Maybe somebody is telling me this should be my next quilt!
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Using the salad spinner is absolutely brilliant! I have to start calling you the Quilting Gadget Lady! 🙂
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Your China Plates is wonderful. I never thought of using a salad spinner either. You are a clever lady. Good pictures of the boys. Have a good day. Winona
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This is the second household item cleverly used for our hobby I’ve seen this week. Saw a Tupperware lunchbox earlier being used as a storage container hihi. Thanks for sharing this idea!! Have a happy sewing day, hugs, Daniëlle
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Oh how I love the salad spinner idea…! Thank you for sharing the tip! Love the China Plates quilt…looking forward to see the updates on it!
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I LOVE the China Plates! Beautiful fabric. I just wash my charms in the washing machine with other fabric, on gentle and in cold water, then dry on low heat. I have never measured them for shrinkage or noticed much of any, but I will measure one next time I’m in the sewing room.
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Lovely china plates!
I am so impressed with the salad spinner idea! I will certainly try it out, Thanks!
🙂
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