Quilting. Do quilts need to be made out of only cotton fabrics or can I use satin, velvets, or any other kind

Question

of fabric that i want? I'm starting a class next week and was curious. Thanks!

Answer 1

It depends on the kind of quilt you're making and how you'll use it. If you're making a wall quilt that will never be washed, you can put anything you want on it - cotton, satin, velvet, nylon, paper, metal - literally anything that you can attach. If you're making a bed quilt, however, you'll need to be more careful. Since you'll probably be washing it, you need fabrics that have similar characteristics. If you combine velvet and wool, for example, they shrink differently. One washing and you could have a misshapen lump. You also need to consider if the fabrics will bleed when washed. Pre-washing can help with the shrinking and bleeding issues, but it's no guarantee. Victorian crazy quilts often used a combination of fabrics, including velvets, laces, satins, embroidery, even charms sewn on. It can be done, you just need to be careful.

If this is your first time quilting, most likely you'll want to stick with 100% cotton fabrics of similar quality. Most beginning quilting classes stick with the more traditional methods and blocks. Pre-washing is a personal choice - some insist you must always pre-wash, others never pre-wash. I'm a no-washer myself. If you choose not to wash, be sure to test the fabric for colorfastness by blotting with a damp white cloth and checking for color transfer, or soaking a small piece in water.

Once you're familiar with the basics of quilting, you can move on to more individually creative efforts. Practice on smaller pieces so you can get a feel for how different fabrics work. Above all, have fun.

Answer 2

Are you just starting out? If so, you may want to use 100% cotton fabrics first. They are the easiest to use and the easiest to quilt.

Be sure to wash your fabrics first. The extra dye will wash out and not ruin your finished quilt. This is especially true of reds. You may not want red dye running through your quilt top you worked so hard on.

If you have any questions about the class, you may want to contact the instructor. She may have a specific project in mind and will be able to tell you what fabrics would be appropriate.

Have fun! It's a great hobby!

Answer 3

You can use any kind of fabric you want. Crazy quilts, for example, are traditionally made of fancy dress fabrics like velvet and satin and damask.

Cottons are more usual for other kinds of quilts, but you can still use whatever you prefer.

Answer 4

Go for it girl! The more creative, the better.
Satin can represent water, flannel is good for a soft animal-fur feel, corduroy suggests rough roads......get the idea? Have fun!