Quilting question...it's complicated...lol
02-02-2010, 08:09 PM
#11
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Most fabrics shrink in the dryer, not from being washed. You could sew a block together, sew around the outside perimeter and measure it. Put it in a lingerie bag and dry it. Look and see if it shrinks all over or if the cottons are distorting it.
02-04-2010, 08:40 AM
#14
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: west palm beach, fl
Posts: 51
A while ago ... well, several years ago when I started quilting, I ran short of white cotton to finish a wall hanging and finished it up with a white poly/cotton I had on hand. Over the years, the p/c has turned a nasty shade of tan and it is right next to the 100% cotton. Every time I see it, I say to my self ... see, that's why we use 100% cotton! I don't know how black p/c will age but the choice is up to you. If your quilt will not be exposed to a lot of sun light, the chances of fading won't be as great. LOL
02-04-2010, 11:28 AM
#15
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: currently central new jersey
Posts: 8,623
Originally Posted by amma
Most fabrics shrink in the dryer, not from being washed. You could sew a block together, sew around the outside perimeter and measure it. Put it in a lingerie bag and dry it. Look and see if it shrinks all over or if the cottons are distorting it.
:hunf: i agree. along with hottest water, the drier is the culprit!!
02-05-2010, 08:03 AM
#16
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: beautiful Olympic Peninsula
Posts: 626
Oh my goodness, with all the work and time involved in making a quilt I would buy the best fabric you can afford. You will not be sorry and you might be if you use something that is "iffy." I always use 100% cotton only in my quilts.
02-06-2010, 12:38 AM
#18
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Southeast Georgia, USA
Posts: 9,116
there are reasons i prefer to work with 100% cotton. quality is NOT one of those reasons. polyester is not inferior to cotton. it is merely different.
you have two potential issues to consider: (1) fraying; (2) shrinking
any fabric of any content can fray. that is your only real worry. use your rotary cutter to trim a straight edge at one end of the poly/cotton blend. sew a 1/4" seam along that edge and then toss it into the washer. check to see whether or how much that end frayed in the wash. turn the seam right-side out and tug on it a bit to see if it comes apart. if the seam holds then worry 1 is worry none.
as to the shrink issue ... do you plan to always hang the quilt to dry? if you do, then use the fabrics you have.
if you were planning to chuck it into the dryer, just change that plan.
you have two potential issues to consider: (1) fraying; (2) shrinking
any fabric of any content can fray. that is your only real worry. use your rotary cutter to trim a straight edge at one end of the poly/cotton blend. sew a 1/4" seam along that edge and then toss it into the washer. check to see whether or how much that end frayed in the wash. turn the seam right-side out and tug on it a bit to see if it comes apart. if the seam holds then worry 1 is worry none.
as to the shrink issue ... do you plan to always hang the quilt to dry? if you do, then use the fabrics you have.
if you were planning to chuck it into the dryer, just change that plan.
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