JBCorson 52 Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Just had to rip almost an entire quilt of stitches out. Never had to do this and hope it never happens again. Took two hours to stitch and 12 to undo. Think I may need a remedial ripping lesson, or is this normal? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Quilting Heidi 1,398 Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Joan it always takes me forever to unsew. If you have to take out a whole quilt then I would skin it. Bonnie posted a long time ago how to skin a quilt. I don't do it as fast as she can but it does go quicker. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlsa3 715 Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Sorry Joan I know that did not make your day. I've heard of skinning deer, skinning squirrels, skinning rabbits, etc but never skinning a quilt. You can't say something like that Heidi and then just hush. I'll be on tranquilizers for sure if you don't clue us in on how to skin a quilt. David Beachside Quilter 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Quilting Heidi 1,398 Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 hahaha David there is more than one use for a scalpel! Here is a u-tube video that shows the process. Quilta93, Mercedes, RitaR and 1 other 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mercedes 106 Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Thank you Heidi for posting this video. I hope I never have to do this however if I do, at least I now know how. Quilting Heidi 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chickenscratch 1,136 Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 That must be the song of the day. I have been trying tonight to finish blocks for a swap due at the end of the month. Of course I'm doing this with a terrible headache, so everything I try to put together ends up being wrong. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ffq-lar 3,609 Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 The eyebrow trimmers with a plastic handle and a blade guard have saved me a lot of time and sore muscles when frogging a big area. I was always afraid when I used the scalpel tool that I'd cut a hole in the quilt---or in me! LinneaMarie 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sammi357 23 Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Has anyone tried this with one of those little electric razor-style trimmers? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mlsa3 715 Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Thanks for the video Heidi. I don't think I would be near as nervous skinning a rabbit as a quilt though. LOL. Hoping I never have to use this method. Yea right!!! David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Quilting Heidi 1,398 Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 I've only had to do this once and it was not fun but worked well. I cut with the scalpel next to the batting and backer on top so that I didn't risk cutting the quilt top. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RitaR 647 Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Go to the Dollar Tree and ick up a pack of the school erasers.. many colors but use to be only pink. Use them to pull cut threads to the side where you can easily pick up the threads. Pulls them right on out. Gloves I think they are Hemostat gloves or cotton cosmetic gloves all help, too. the gloves, either kind work better with just a minimal bit of moisture. \ \Sigh! I've done it ........................often. lol sob Quilting Heidi and Quilta93 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GMALKB 368 Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 I've used the little razor thing............works pretty slick once you get going. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lmeimann 39 Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Using a silicone spatula will also pull all the treads out--easily and quickly. Quilta93 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LinneaMarie 38 Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 I had to skin a whole quilt once. Thankfully, not a big one. I had the backing on completely upside down! Didn't realize it until I was finished! It was and A-B-C pattern. Took it off the frame after I skinned it; which took a day or more, then sprayed it with water and light starch; ironed it to within in an inch of it's life and you could not find the holes! Yippee! I used a scalpel from Famore. Make sure you have extra blades because they go dull pretty fast. And if you have to push too hard; well, the slice won't be pretty! I originally took it off the frame, but soon learned it was easier to skin ON the frame. My customer said she could not find any original holes either and gave me a nice tip! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LinneaMarie 38 Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Also, I use packing tape to pull out the cut threads! I'm going to try the spatula or erasers if I have to do it again. Hopefully not an entire quilt! One row is bad enough!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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