See that horrid black spotting above the word "chocolate" on my mom's quilt? It's grease! Horrible, ugly, black GREASE! There are a total of 4 separate areas of grease now gracing my mom's beautiful, perfect quilt. I could just cry buckets.
I had my machine serviced the week before we went away on vacation, picked it up the day before we left and sat down this morning to get back into quilting it. After I finished the blades of the Dresden I pulled the quilt out of the machine to look at it. I almost DIED when I saw four separate areas of black grease. This is the worst area as it encompasses about 6-8 separate little spots...and of course is in the central embroidery block...the embroidery and saying that MAKE the whole quilt!
I called the shop where my machine was serviced and they suggested Dawn Dishwashing Liquid. Fortunately I had a sample of Dawn in my kitchen. The spot you see now is after Shout, Greased Lightening and Dawn! It is lighter...but still there. I know my mom will love the quilt no matter what...but this is her big gift and I just wanted it to be PERFECT. I have spent so many hours designing, piecing, embroidering and now quilting...I am devastated.
I'm going to put a bit more Dawn on the spots and pray that tomorrow morning they are gone. If not, I will just keep on quilting it. I don't have the time, material or ambition to start it all over again from scratch. I know in the big scheme of things this is not a big deal...and I am ashamed of myself for making it such a big deal...but why this handmade item and why this area of the quilt? It couldn't have happened on one of the dark brown chocolate areas, right?
I am off to drown my sorrows in a glass of wine. Don't worry friends, it is one of the 4 glasses per week prescribed by my physician. I'm just drinking it at the time it may do the most good for more than just my liver......
Oh dear, that is tragic. I don't have any other suggestions, but am sending lots of virtual hugs! xx debbie
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the virtual hugs. I REALLY need them today!
ReplyDeleteKeep soaking (for hrs.) and rinsing and soaking again. Also Biz has worked for some stains. Soooo sorry and I don't think you are over reacting. Persevere.
ReplyDeleteThe three other spots are not very noticeable anymore and the main central spot has lightened even more. Thanks for all of your help. I am going to leave it as it is and just get on with the quilting. It will be a story to tell my mom, and to tell my son and maybe "someday" grandchildren as the quilt is passed down the line.
DeleteThanks again and have a wonderful holiday season!
Lin
Oh no! You might try Fels Naptha bar soap. It takes out almost everything. I get mine at Wal-Mart in the laundry section. Hugs...
ReplyDeleteI was able to get most of the grease out with just a few (3) tiny marks still noticeable. I am back to quilting....yippee!
DeleteThanks again. Have a wonderful holiday season!
oh how very disappointing. The thought that first popped into my head was peroxide, seltzer water... I don't know if either would actually work, but that's just what I first thought. I'm sure the quilting will help blend the spots and when done, you'll be the only one to actually see them.... I'm sure your mother will absolutely love the quilt. She'll know the love and care that went into making it and she'll feel your love each time she wraps herself in it.
ReplyDeleteThe spots are lighter and my tears are dried. The quilt is no longer "perfect" but mom will hear the whole story and love the quilt even more for the "extra" work I put into it!
DeleteI am really really sorry! Your mom will love it and some day those spots will just be spots and not tears. Keep going!
ReplyDeleteI am doing just as you suggested. The spots are much lighter, still noticeable to me, but probably won't be that noticeable to mom. And, like you said, they will just be spots with a story behind them. I'm back to quilting and anxious to finish it all and give it to mom!
DeleteOh dear!!! I am so sorry this happened. I am glad to read in the comments that the spots are getting much lighter.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I am still a little heartsick over ir, but at least the marks are more grayish now instead of BLACK!
DeleteOh arrgh! Ya think the repair shop might have suggested you run a few scrap pieces through first. Glad to hear that you've lightened them up ...
ReplyDeleteYa would think, wouldn't you?! I always thought the oil used in machines was yellowish, unless it is dark from dirt!
DeleteI used to use a ton of Di-Solv-It and buy it at Safeway, but now I think you have to buy it through the website. It's a citrus-smelling organic product that takes out oil, grease, crayon, gum - just everything of that nature. But with what you've already done, I'm going to bet that washing this when you finish will probably remove any that's still showing up. If this happens again, try rubbing with cornstarch first and letting it sit about 8 hours. The cornstarch pulls out the grease and absorbs it, then launder. It works on *almost* everything, and it's worth trying, because it won't damage the fabric. I'm glad you are feeling better and it's looking better now!
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much! I am going to look online for Di-Solv-It just in case there is a "next time". I sure hope not! Have a wonderful holiday season!
DeleteOh Lin, no wonder you are so upset. But they are tiny and the whole quilt is soooooo wonderful she may well never notice. As you say it will become a family heirloom with a family heirloom story to go along with it. So frustrating though....have a good cry and try and put it behind you.
DeleteRinty x
Thank you, Rinty! I am done crying and back on working on the quilting. At least the spots have lightened enough that they are not the first thing you see when you look at the quilt! I have just discovered a cure for diabetes...quilting! I just had a low sugar spell (the second time while quilting), I think because of the physical exertion of hefting this large quilt and maneuvering it through the tiny throat of a domestic sewing machine. If I quilted every day I may be able to lower my medications, lol. But, it is too physically draining for me to do more than a bit at a time. It is a good upper body workout, though! I am done quilting for today. I didn't get as much done as I would have LIKED to get done, but I may have gotten done the minimum I needed to do today to make the Christmas deadline. I'm heading to the shower now and then going to the grocery store to pick up a few supplies. J & K are coming over tomorrow (their day off) to bake Christmas cookies! Oh how I love the holidays!
ReplyDelete