Cotton Quilting Fabric

I know what cotton jersey, cotton poplin and cotton flannel is but what is cotton quilting fabric?

The best way to experience the difference in the cotton choices you named would be if you could see and feel the difference.

Cotton jersey, as you know is stretchy, mainly used in T-shirts, sometimes in stretchy bedding.
Cotton poplin is normally of medium to heavy weight, a durable fabric, mainly used in clothing manufacturing. It is stiffer than quilting cotton.
Flannel is a very soft, woven fabric that is napped on one side. Quilters tend to shy away from flannel, because most flannels seem to be a bit stretchier than cotton quilting fabrics, due to the differences in the weave of the warp and weft threads (warp threads are the lengthwise yarns through which the weft is woven) and the fabric can shrink differently in the length and cross wise direction when washed. Some quilters use good quality flannel in their quilting, but recommend pre-washing the fabric, before cutting the shapes and sewing it, to pre-shrink the fabric and not have surprises later. To put some more body back into the fabric to make it easier for handeling/piecing you can spray starch it.

Cotton fabrics for quilting are normally carried in quilt shops and online quilt stores that specialize in quilting fabrics, in a wide variety of prints. These are of a light to medium weight woven fabrics, that normally have a print on one side. I say normally, because you can also purchase hand dyed fabrics for quilt making (I dye my own fabrics for this) which would be usable from either side, because the color bonds to the fibers, coloring the fabric all the way through on both sides. Then there are also cotton batiks, which have a denser weave and would be harder to hand quilt, but they are fantastic for hand applique, because these don't ravel on the edges as much when you turn under the edges. Batiks, due to the way they are fabricated, also don't have a "right or wrong" side like the printed fabrics, so they can be used either way. http://www.dharmatrading.com/info/batik. html

Here's a link for you with many different fabric choices:
http://www.fabric.com/quilting-fabric-sh op-by-category.aspx?Source=LeftNav

I hope this explanation helpl.

2008-11-16 05:56:40 by Indigo

how-to-quilt.org These are the fabrics I am listing for my quarterly sale. You can find them all at . Classic colors and prints that never go out ...

My best resource for fabrics online is Hancocks of Paducah. The first link is to a search for "paw" at their site. Always start by searching for a shorter version of what you're looking for - you'll get more results.

If I can't find what I need there, I check eBay. The second link is to a search there for "paw" in the cotton section.

Good luck - I'm sure one of these will have what you're looking for.

2006-07-28 14:38:19 by kokobear_shezootwo

Price: $8.49 $6.51

Print personalized cotton fabric to customize tote bags, pillows and quilts
Free templates are available from avery.com
For use with an inkjet printer then just sew on or iron on with a household iron

I'm trying to figure out how big my pieces of fabric will be after I wash them. I know that I have heard cotton quilting fabric shrinks about 2-3%. Is this usually the standard?

It depends on the quality of the fabric. The good stuff that you buy at quilt shops is more expensive (usually in the $8 - $9 range) but it shrinks less and the colors are less likely to run. The cheap stuff that you can pick up at WalMart or the large chain fabric store will shrink a bit more, and some of the colors may fade or bleed. Also, different kinds of fabric shrink differently. Cotton flannel will shrink considerably more than plain cotton.

I don't prewash my fabrics, but that's a personal preference. There are arguments both for and against. I like the crisp feel of unwashed fabric when I'm sewing, and I like the old fashioned puckery look of the finished quilt after washing it. And frankly, washing is kind of a hassle - I like to be able to just grab something off the shelf and start sewing. If you're using good quality fabric, have tested the colors to make sure they won't bleed (cut a small piece and put it in a white or clear bowl with some hot soapy water for a while, then blot on a white towel) you should be okay not washing it. You also need to watch for reactions to the chemicals in fabrics - if your hands get too dry or itchy or if you find yourself with the sniffles whenever you handle the fabric, then prewash it. Since I don't prewash, I always wash my finished quilt with a Shout Color Catcher the first couple of times. This soaks up any dye that is released into the water so it doesn't stain the light portions of the quilt.

2008-08-13 04:43:50 by stargurl78

Price: $349.99 $183.48

100-Percent cotton fabric with 100-percent polyester fiber fill
Tiered scalloped edge
Floral embroidered pattern

I have seen quilting fabric before. What's the difference between that and any other cotton fabric? I know decorator fabric is wider than other fabrics, but what's so unique about quilting fabric that makes it especially for quilts? Also what about quilting thread versus other threads? It it just thicker? Thanks!!!!!!!

Quilting thread has a wax coating - do not put it into the sewing machine.

Use cotton or general purpose thread.

The type of fabic you choose should depend on how the quilt will be used. If it will be handled a lot and washed - cotton.

If you want to make an art quilt or wall hanging, you can use anything you want - it will never be handled and will not need to be washed.

Fabric sold in quilt shops is a higher quality and finer weave of cotton than what is sold in fabric stores and it is usually twice the price.

Decorator fabrics are a coarser weave and usually require dry cleaning.

Traditionally, cotton sold for quilting is used to make a quilt, but you can choose and use whatever you wish.

Jeans, upholstery, curtain, silks, velvet, knit - there are no quilt police.

2009-02-22 07:15:59 by MissTiff

I'm going to Vietnam but I don't know where to start for my shopping. Can I find cotton fabrics and quilting supplies (Clover) there?
Thank you for reading my question.
I've just have the brochure of the trip.
It said I will go to Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An.
Do you have any idea for me?

Yes totally but which part are u going to it depends but you can definately find fabrics over there! :)

2009-07-01 01:22:16 by Siamquilt