Quilt Patchwork Patterns

When choosing fabric for a quilt does all the material have to be of the same type?

Public Comments

1. a quilt can be of all types of fabrics stitched together but i normally like to stitch a satin lining
2. It should. If you have some 100% cotton pieces and then some half cotton and the other half polyester when you wash the quilt the cotton will shrink more than the other. It will keep the apperance well balanced,
3. I have made a lot of quilts from peoples' clothes, and also many applique quilts and wall hangings that I designed myself. Unless you have a special reason, you would want to avoid mixing fabric types. It will never lay flat, and that's fine when you can tell yourself that it's a compromise for a special reason. .
4. In new fabrics, having all the same type helps because different fabrics shrink at different rates. Even in 100% cotton fabrics, all shrink at a different rate. Flannels shrink more than wovens, and different weaves change the shrink rate as well. This can cause your quilt to pucker or warp in unusual ways. This is one of the reasons many quilters pre-wash their fabric. It not only helps if the fabric is dark or might bleed color (very unsightly if it happens to you), but also helps the fabrics to remain at a size that is post-shrinkage.
5. For an art quilt - something that will only hang on a wall and never be washed/cleaned - the rule seems to be 'whatever gives the look you want'.Or if it's for a special 'fun' purpose and doesn't need to be long-lasting, use what works or what you have. For a quilt you plan to use, and therefore wash, the more similar the fabric is in weight and content, the better - it's easier to assemble and will hold up better. Sometimes, tho, a certain fabric is worth the effort and compromise - only you can decide. Other tips: Match your thread to your fabric in fiber content and weight. To save heartache down the line, pre-wash all your fabric, checking the wash water to make sure nothing bled, and iron it before using it. Quilt/tie as close together as your batting instructions say to. If you need more info, there's tons on the internet - two great sites are www.quilterscache.com and the World Wide Quilting Page (www.quilt.com). Good luck and happy quilting.