justwannaquilt

Ok so before I caught the bug, the quilting bug, I bought many different fabrics and I never kept track of what everything was or what it was made of! NOW....I need a piece of solid brown fabric, I went to the fabric shop today and walked out with everything I needed minus the brown fabric (I forgot it and it was what brought me to the shop in the first place!) I went through my box of scraps and found a brown fabric that will matches the fabric I am using in a quilt...BUT I don't know for sure that it is 100% cotton, I do NOT want to use it unless it is.

Is there a way to tell if something is blended fabric or 100% cotton??

Scissor Queen

Sure is. Set it on fire. Take a small snip, hold it with tweezers and light it on fire and let it burn away. What kind of ash is left? Did it sizzle and leave black lumps? Then it's a poly blend. If it just left a soft, gray ash then it's probably cotton. If it smells like burnt hair it can be either silk or wool.

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

Great tip!

kwhite

I usually feel the burt edge. If there are littel beads in the burned part then it is a synthetic blend.

earthwalker

Burning is a really good method, just so you get the hang of it, burn something you know is 100 percent cotton, then when you burn the mystery bit, you will know precisely what texture it should be. No need to go crazy, just a small bit will do! I do this from time to time as I source my material from all kinds of places.

reneebobby

Wow what an interesting tip.

justwannaquilt

Thanks everyone for the burning tip! I guess I will be burning a bit of fabric today! Although I could just go back to the store and get some, I have to go that way to take my kiddo to the doctor. The school nurse called yesterday afternoon (2:00 they get out at 2:30) Mackenzie's (5) eye is red! WHAT, I went and picked her up, got her up this morning to check it told her "Mackenzie open your eye so I can see it!" She said "Mom I can't I got eye buggers!!!" GREAT! So I won't be working on the quilt today afterall even if the fabric I have IS 100% cotton!!!! LOL This quilt is for her and she will know as soon as she sees the fabric! oh well I have her halloween costume cut out and ready to sew!

I am not hugely worried about HER having pink eye, I just have my fingers crossed and saying a prayer that the 4 month old doesn't get it! Purell stock will be going up later this morning when I get out to the store!!! lol

Thanks again everyone for the tip about burning it!

susiequilt

The color of the smoke with polyester is blackish and the color of the smoke with 100% cotton is more gray. You can usually tell before you touch.