How To Machine Quilt A Three Person Tent Into Submission!

Now come on, you all know what I'm talking about even if you don't want to admit it! We have all had a "Quilter's Oops Moment", one of the most common I see when machine quilting is were we sewed a block together not quit right but it was "close enough" to the right size that we just KNEW we could make it fit in with the rest of the other perfectly pieced blocks. But when we forced that one odd sized block in with the rest of them it created what I like to call a "Three Person Tent Block". Just think of it as a quilt block that when you pick it up from the center it would be a large enough tent to home three quilters on a retreat, all the projects, machines, tools, food, and wine that they also brought along with them! Maybe this photo will help explain it a bit better:

Now that is one roomy tent! 

I find that this happens on quilt blocks that are set on point more than any other. Also sometimes fabric is just a pain in the old butt and stretched out of shape when you were sipping that second third glass of wine at the retreat. Another reason could be that there was a misprint in the directions for cutting the fabric. I also see this a lot on quilts made by groups of quilters. Instructions may be the same but that doesn't mean the quilters are the same. We all sew with a 1/4" seam (hopefully!) but that 1/4" may be slightly larger on Marilyn's machine and slightly smaller on Colette's machine than it is on my machine. Don't think you are alone, we have all done it at least once if not a million times. Even big time award winning quilters will tell you that its just one of many things we goof up from time to time. Its also one of the things we Machine Quilters have to work with and still do our best to make your quilts look as perfect as we possibly can. Three person Tent syndrome is actually one of the easiest things to fix, we just don't like to admit it.

Before I get started on how I fixed the problem block in the photo a little info:

#1 Just because this is how I fix the problem doesn't mean all machine quilters do it this way. There are many ways to work in the extra fabric this is just one of them.

#2 I have only ever done this fix on cotton fabrics. I would never ever, EVER try it on it on anything other than cotton or cotton poly blends.

#3 It works best (at least for me) on 100% cotton fabrics.

#4 I did not come up with this method, its not mine, I don't own it. I do not know who came up with it but I can tell you I learned it a few years ago from a amazing machine quilter by the name of Jamie Wallen. If you haven't see Jamie's work look him up! He is not only a great guy but he is a amazing teacher. He also has tons of great videos on YouTube, Just search for Quilters Apothecary and you will find them!

OK first up, for some reason I almost never notice these problem blocks until I have already started quilting the quilt so that is why you will notice the quilt in question is already loaded on my Longarm and there is some quilting already happening. This quilt, lucky for me, has easy quilting designs that also just happened to help ease in the extra fabric and hide it. Here you can see the extra fabric all ripply and not so pretty. Also, see that spray bottle? Remember it for a bit as it will come in to play very soon.

Step One: Spray It!

Step number one: When you find that not so perfect block grab your spray starch. Yes Spray Starch, any kind will work from good old Niagara to Best Press, you just need starch and you will need lots of it. When I first started doing this method I was a stickler for using Niagara Starch but In the past few months I have started using Mary Ellen's Best Press. Why the switch? Well I can get Best Press in a gallon jug and it is available in Unscented. I just picked up a cheap Spray bottle at the local big Box store and refill it when needed. Ok back on the subject of step one, spray the heck out of that block! Yes really, you want that block to be almost (but not quit) dripping. 

Step 2: WALK AWAY. Put your starch down and walk away for at least ten minutes, let the starch soak into the fabric. Don't watch, it will only make you wonder if I'm crazier than you already know I am. It can be longer than ten minutes so don't worry if your sister happens to call and your stuck listening to her cry about her best friend not doing what she is supposed to be doing or that her husband refuses to listen to whatever it was she said he should listen to.

Step 3: Has it been at least ten minutes? Good, now go back and take a look. Is the fabric laying flater? Yes, good! you can move on to the next step! was your answer No? Well that's OK you just might need to "tickle" it a bit with your fingers. I know that's sounds wrong but its the best way I could discribe it right now so lets just go with it! Run the tips of your fingers lightly over the fabric and evenly distribute any of the extra bulk. Basically you don't want to push all the extra fabric to one side or to the center you want it to be as even looking as you can get it to look.

Step Three: Tickle That Fabric! 

Step 4: Now if your are a patient quilter you will walk away again, and let it dry on its own after all that really will give you the best results. But if your like me and are always in a rush because the quilt needs to be ready to hand back to its owner then next morning you can break out your steam iron. Doesn't need to be a fancy iron, it just need to be able to steam without dripping water drops all over the place. Fill your iron with water, plug it in, and set it on its highest setting. When the iron is all hot and steamy take it to your quilt and hold it just right above the fabric, touch is OK but really right above works best. Now quickly move the steam iron over the top of the block. you should notice the fabrics "pulling in" just a bit. By the time your block is nearly dry it should be laying nice and flatish.  I know what your thinking, "How in the world is a steam iron going to dry all that starch?" and your right it wont, but it will get it pretty darn dry. But before you move on to the next step you want to be sure it is completely dry so not to harm your machine in any way! 

Step Four, Hold the iron right above. but not quite touching the fabric

After Steaming: Nice and flat and pretty! 

Step 5: Quilt away! This method works great for any type of batting, this quit happened to have Quilters Dream Puff which "Puffed" up and help to hide any extra fabric that night have been left after starching and steaming. 

And its done!

Well that's it, I hope it helps at least one other quilter out there. And remember, Quilters Oops Moments can strike anyone at any time, even the most experienced of quilters!

Did the photos above not show the steps clearly? Then take a look at these photos of another block from the same quilt that had some bulky issues that needed taming:

Step One: Spray It!

Step Three: Tickle That Fabric! 

After Steaming: Nice and flat and pretty! 

See that crease? Don't worry, it will go away when quilted is added!

And its done!