malfromcessnock

Ladies, I'm about to start my first quilt. I'm going to make the Carpenter's Star block and construct an 88" x 88" quilt.

I need an A and B and a background with the freedom to choose a different or use one of the same for my binding.

Now I've bought some lovely 100% cotton and have found a lovely contrasting fabric in my stash which I strongly think is a poly cotton mix (it forms a light plastic type edge after burning a small section - a tip I got from favourite lady, Eleanor Burns)

Will I or am I likely to run into any trouble combining a 100% cotton with a blend?

All fabrics pre washed prior to cutting and piecing.

Help always appreciated. Who knows, one day I maybe able to help others on this forum (but not for a while I suspect). :)

mom-6

I have not had a problem combining the two. The problems likely to occur are pretty much forestalled by prewashing.
Just be aware that if you are desiring the vintage crinkly look, the poly blend does not do that very well. Using 100% cotton batting will enhance your chances on that though.

malfromcessnock

Thanks mom-6 (you got six children? I had 4).

The poly blend is maroon and has this neat gold thread running through it making this really nice effect.

They were curtains and were only washed two or three times and have faded, but the brand new offcut I've found that is much larger than the curtains is bright and brilliant. I'm just about to hang it out to dry after pre washing and I hope hasn't lost its colour.

Another thing, with this large offcut there is no selvedge - strange. So I'll have to work out the direction of the grain I suppose.

kathy

beware that some blends will draw up or even melt under a hot iron, and cotton likes it hot!

malfromcessnock

So Kathy, is it prudent to do an ironing test before piecing?

ckcowl

combining fabrics is perfectly ok as long as they have similar (care needs) ie: washable/dryable together-
many many people use poly blends all the time and combining them with cottons is always a good choice. about the only difference you will find apparent is the poly blend will not be as soft as the cotton with future washings- they tend to keep their....feel....where cotton just gets softer and softer.
mixing textiles is wonderful in quilts most of the time :) have fun constructing your first large quilt :)

malfromcessnock

Thanks for the heads up ck cowl - off to get background fabric tomorrow - I want to have something to take to my next quilting meeting next Tuesday.

KathyKwilt - I checked out your etsy products and I give up! How do you manage to keep your prices sooooo low? Love your work, especially your man bag. lol

Holice

and be very careful when pressing as the poly will react differently with a hot iron. It will shrink if too hot iron i used. So use care in pressing and you will be ok.

malfromcessnock

Thanks Holice - I'll err on caution.

Here's a pic of the quilt I want to make. I'm going to use similar colour values.

carslo

Good luck with your project, I have mixed my fabrics with no troubles - I hate to iron so no worries about using something too hot.