wuv2quilt

Hi all: quick question, or 2...does linen shrink more than cotton...can it be quilted the same as cotton??? I've been given SEVERAL fat1/4's to 1/2 yds. of assorted linen...heavier weight...similar to quilting weight cotton. Thanks for the help / info. :) Beckie

ckcowl

yes linen can be quilted just like cotton- in fact linen is a wonderful fabric for quilts- lucky you - it tends to be very expensive! as for the shrinkage rate- that depends on the looseness of the weave- you might want to pre-wash just to see how much it shrinks- then add starch when pressing before cutting.

AmyBaby

I may not be any help on this, but I love linen and have slight addiction to it. I think you can use it for just about anything. But you have know if it is 100% linen or a blend - many out there are blends. Here is a great blog that uses linen in quilts http://iheartlinen.typepad.com/i_heart_linen/

good luck

AmyBaby

Oh one other tip Karen http://sewmuch2luv.blogspot.com/ gave me on ironing linen...spritz it with water then put it in the freezer for 20 minutes before pressing. the wrinkles fall right on out!! it's like magic.

wuv2quilt

Thanks for the tips...guess I'll just have to put on my big girl panties, and see what I can make with the linen then. Thanks guys. Beckie

MadQuilter

I have used linen with cotton. It handled beautifully. Linen is so soft but I did prewash to account for shrinkage.

wuv2quilt

Wow!!! Is this quilt from linen?? Just lovely. Beckie

MadQuilter

Thanks. The white is linen from my grandmother who died in 1960. The blue floral is a cotton that I could not cut into until I saw that pattern. So I call it the 3-generation quilt because I made it for my mom.

SewingPete123

I agree with you that you should wash it before working with it. Linen tends to shrink anywhere between 7-10% after a hot wash. Yes, linen is usually expensive. But if you're a big linen lover, check out fabrics-store.com. I don't know who runs the site (it looks a little outdated and there are typos everywhere) but they have really, really good linen for the price.

MsEithne

Depends on how the linen was woven, how it was dyed and any other treatments it received. I'd suggest pre-washing just to be sure, particularly if you are going to mix it with cotton.

Two major differences from cotton: it is actually stronger when it is wet and good linen will keep improving in feel each time you wash it for the first 20-30 washings or so.