| Buying quilting fabric seems like it should be pretty | | | | allowances in the direction you want them to go. (That |
| simple. And, frankly, when I began quilting it was simple. | | | | means that your fabric will stay put without pressing it |
| At least I made it that way. I wandered through the | | | | every step along the way.) |
| fabric store and found fabric I liked - the pattern, the | | | | • Cotton sticks together while you sew your |
| color, the design. But generally, I bought fabric just | | | | pieces. Polyester tends to slip and slide, requiring pinning |
| because I liked it. | | | | or basting, lest your patches end up being sewn |
| As a result, my quilting fabric stash included all types of | | | | cockeyed. |
| fabrics - polyesters, cotton/polyesters, rayons, and | | | | • Cotton has a little "give" to it that synthetics |
| some wools. After a few quilting experiences (some | | | | don't have. This allows you to pull and tug a bit (as well |
| of which were pretty bad), I learned the advantages of | | | | as bunch it up a little) in order to get the seams to |
| different fabrics. Now I look at a few different things | | | | match and make your corners square. |
| when I consider fabrics to buy. | | | | • Cotton breathes. Whether you are making |
| Generally I prefer natural fibers. It's probably a sense of | | | | a baby quilt or a bed quilt, 100% cotton fabric will allow |
| connecting to quilters of yesteryear. Or it may be that | | | | air to circulate while capturing the warmth. How this |
| a comment made to me years ago about "wrapping a | | | | works is just a mystery to me, but it seems to be true. |
| baby in plastic (polyester)" just stuck with me - in a | | | | • Cotton absorbs the dyes better. Maybe it's |
| negative sense. | | | | just me, but I think that the colors are more vibrant and |
| While I prefer natural fibers, I have made some fun | | | | the patterns have more depth. |
| quilts that include lame, and an occasional polyester or | | | | • Cotton is durable. It has stood the test of |
| poly/cotton blend, because it offered some design | | | | time and constant use. |
| benefit that I couldn't find in cotton - like a sports logo. | | | | • Cotton can be torn (or ripped). Although this |
| This is one of a series of articles about different types | | | | can be a benefit or a drawback, it means that you will |
| of fabric quilters use in their quilts. For simplicity, I will | | | | be able to determine exactly how the fibers line up. |
| focus on the natural fibers cotton, wool and silk. I have | | | | You will be able to "square up" the edge just torn, |
| used them all (although not in the same quilt). So you | | | | since it will not rip across the threads. |
| will get my firsthand experience and observations. | | | | Part II explores the types of 100% cotton fabric, and |
| Personal opinion as it is. | | | | some of the considerations as you purchase and use |
| Since you can go online and find plenty of articles and | | | | these fabrics in your quilts. |
| websites that describe the fascinating way fabric is | | | | Happy Quilting! |
| made and dyed, I'll let them do the describing about | | | | Penny Halgren Inspiration and Education for Beginning |
| that, and I will focus just on what quilters want to know | | | | Quilters Fast, Fun and Funky Quilts |
| - how will it be working with that type of fabric? | | | | Penny is a quilter of more than 24 years who seeks |
| Since 100% cotton fabric is clearly the most popular | | | | to interest new quilters and provide them with the |
| quilting fabric, let's start there. | | | | resources necessary to create beautiful quilts. |
| There are several specific reasons quilters prefer | | | | This article courtesy of You may freely reprint this |
| 100% cotton: | | | | article on your website or in your newsletter provided |
| • Cotton is easy to work with. After you sew | | | | this courtesy notice and the author name and URL |
| a seam, you can easily finger press your seam | | | | remain intact. |