irishrose

This is a theoretical question as I have several quilts I 'have' to make before I can play.

Has anyone used rayon challis in a quilt? I know I have multiple yards in gorgeous prints hiding in my first sewing room. It's soft, it's relatively strong, it holds color well, it dyes nicely so the colors are great. I'm thinking something with just mixed blocks, not intricate piecing. With a backing and batting and backing with a little body to them, I think it'd make a pretty throw.

Any thoughts?

Holice

yes you can. just respect the nature of the fabric and work with it accordingy and you will be ok.
By working with it I mean - ralize it is softer, might need more pinning, more careful cutting, etc.

irishrose

Holice, I am new to quilting, but have sewed apparel and home dec for at least 60 years. Challis is a favorite fabric so I have handled it often. Thank you, Judy

virtualbernie

I LOVE Challis! I might try one!

greensleeves

Beware of shrinkage with challis, wash first or don't wash at all. :)

cuppi duke

I think you can use any fabric for quilts. Our ancestors used what they had. If you like it, go for it. It might be your favorite creation.

fabric_fancy

go for it, you can quilt with any fabric you like.

if you plan on washing the quilt in the future i would wash all the fabric first before you do the piecing to take care of any shrinkage before hand.

irishrose

Challis is a terrible shrinker. All the challis fabrics in storage have been washed and I will wash them another time before using them. Just think of all those long skirts in the thrift stores waiting to be quilts.

mom-6

I love challis! As long as you take into consideration the greater tendency to ravel it can be a dream to work with. I just have to remember to make my seam allowances a bit more generous.

butterflywing

i would also quilt a little closer. challis has a tendency to sag.