I would definitely use them, they are obviously fabrics that you liked when you bought them. As Donna Jean said our grandparents used anything they had, mostly clothing that had been outgrown. But I would definitely wash all fabrics before cutting.

Cotton blends don't feel as nice and they don't iron as nicely, IMHO. So, I don't use them for quilting. That being said, find other uses for them as stated above!

I too, as many of you do, use an occcasional blend (as long as everything is washed to make shrinkage the same in all fabrics) - however - beware the 100% poly - they will distort and shrink with a hot iron!!!

My sentiments exactly.

I have found stains come out of 100% and blends well sometimes they don't. I have been gifted with blends onlt a few weeks ago. It was 3 colors totaling about 7 yd. since I don't want them to go to waste I decided after the New Year I will make charity quilts with the blends for the unwed mothers shelter. I am sure some new mom will be thrilled to have a baby wrapped in a cozy new quilt even if it is a blend.


As for grandparents using anything to make a quilt this is so true but remember our grandparents didn't have poly back then it was still all natural fibers. Cotton,wool, linen,silk. Natural fiber breath, poly's don't. You are hotter on hot days and colder on cold days with poly blends. That is why I will also only use cotton batting.

My opinion: As long as it sews together and you love it, USE IT!

I would use them (and I do at times in scrap quilts) with these precautions. I wash everything before I use it so there's not a problem with fabrics shrinking differently. I also test with an iron and if it shrinks up with a hot iron, I won't use it. And I also make sure it's the same weight, for instance, not a heavy poly or blend with lightweight cotton. Also, if its a more open weave, I will toss it. And be careful with swaps as most people want only 100% cotton for their swaps. My grandmother used anything and everything, including poly blends which have been around quite a while, and her quilts have all been used, loved, washed, etc. for years and had no problems with them. And she hand quilted almost all of her quilts. She even made quilts with double-knit polyester but those were just utility quilts and were tied and given to kids usually.

I'm new so don't get mad for me asking. What's the difference between a 'utility' quilt and a normal one??

There's no law stating you can't use them. So if you like the fabrics, go ahead and use them. They will shrink less than 100% cotton, so you may see a small bit of puckering after washing. And you may need to be more careful not to stretch the fabrics, when pressing.

Normally, I just refer to a quilt as a utility quilt if it's not a beautiful quilt, not quilted, especially not hand quilted, a quilt that is meant to be used and abused and you wouldn't be upset if your kids drug it around on the floor or your dog laid on it. My grandma would make these up quick with unattractive fabrics, usually just squares or maybe 9 patches - something she wouldn't waste a lot of time on cutting pieces, sewing, or quilting. She would just use up any fabric she had or that someone gave her. She would never have dreamed of throwing away something that could be used.