Cotton or Polyester...
12-16-2012, 11:47 AM
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
cotton or poly what???
batting? fabric? thread? clothes?
each has it's place-
i use both cotton & poly batts & blends & wools & bamboo's, silks, fleece....each has it's use & place
I generally use cotton or wool fabrics-although i've incorporated some silks & specialty fabrics into a few quilts and often use a polyester (minkie or fleece) backing on special request quilts
I often piece with cotton thread- but i have a long arm & use mainly polyester thread for long-arm machine quilting---cotton tends to break easily with the highspeed of the machine....so, you see- each has it's place & use- there are no rules---use what you like-but don't be 'closed=minded' & stuck in a rut---be willing to try new things & don't (pooh-pooh) at others for using something different from your preference.
batting? fabric? thread? clothes?
each has it's place-
i use both cotton & poly batts & blends & wools & bamboo's, silks, fleece....each has it's use & place
I generally use cotton or wool fabrics-although i've incorporated some silks & specialty fabrics into a few quilts and often use a polyester (minkie or fleece) backing on special request quilts
I often piece with cotton thread- but i have a long arm & use mainly polyester thread for long-arm machine quilting---cotton tends to break easily with the highspeed of the machine....so, you see- each has it's place & use- there are no rules---use what you like-but don't be 'closed=minded' & stuck in a rut---be willing to try new things & don't (pooh-pooh) at others for using something different from your preference.
12-16-2012, 02:56 PM
#3
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
I prefer 100% cotton for batting. Like the way it "crinkles" when washed, and it gets softer with every washing. Also like the way my machine stitches get hidden; polyester batting has more loft and doesn't shrink, so it seems as if my mistakes show up a lot more.
In terms of fabric, you can use almost anything to make a quilt. However, poly is more slippery than cotton, which makes it harder to match seams accurately. Poly does not crease like cotton, so is also more difficult to use for turned applique. Poly also frays more than cotton. It's usually not a good idea to mix poly and cotton in the same quilt as they fade differently; poly doesn't fade at all, while cotton "mellows" with exposure to light.
In terms of fabric, you can use almost anything to make a quilt. However, poly is more slippery than cotton, which makes it harder to match seams accurately. Poly does not crease like cotton, so is also more difficult to use for turned applique. Poly also frays more than cotton. It's usually not a good idea to mix poly and cotton in the same quilt as they fade differently; poly doesn't fade at all, while cotton "mellows" with exposure to light.
12-16-2012, 03:55 PM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Southwest Kansas
Posts: 4,820
Gotta agree with ckcowl, cotton or poly what? Cotton poly blend fabric isn't too horrible but 100% poly fabric is a huge pain to work with. Poly batting on the other hand can be really nice if you don't get the cheap flimsy stuff. Quilter's Dream Poly is super nice to work with and makes a nice modern look when finished. Cotton wrapped poly thread is generally cheap and linty so I don't use it. I use either Aurifil or Prescencia for piecing.
12-16-2012, 07:19 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 862
I use 100% cotton UNLESS I am making a quilt for a child using some kind of licensed fabric. Then I am usually forced to get a blend.
My first 'blanket' was tied and made with a cotton/poly blend. I found that body oil stains were very difficult to remove without damage to the design on the fabric. Not a problem for children's blankets since they are washed often, but my blanket was only washed a couple of times a year and those oils seem to seep and stay permanently. On the plus side, this was a long blanket and only the end (where my arms and head are) had the staining. My bro secretly coveted my blanket, so when I decided to toss it, he asked for it. Since I had made it extra long, I cut off the end and rebound that edge. It is still in use as a summer blanket 7 or 8 years later.
My first 'blanket' was tied and made with a cotton/poly blend. I found that body oil stains were very difficult to remove without damage to the design on the fabric. Not a problem for children's blankets since they are washed often, but my blanket was only washed a couple of times a year and those oils seem to seep and stay permanently. On the plus side, this was a long blanket and only the end (where my arms and head are) had the staining. My bro secretly coveted my blanket, so when I decided to toss it, he asked for it. Since I had made it extra long, I cut off the end and rebound that edge. It is still in use as a summer blanket 7 or 8 years later.
Last edited by IAmCatOwned; 12-16-2012 at 07:22 PM.
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