If you are known as a quilter…for some reason people think you need and want more fabric. Well, that is true, mostly. But what tends to happen is…that people will give you all of their leftover fabric that has been stashed in a basement or closet for years! If your neighbor’s grandmother, aunt or favorite cousin dies, all of her unfinished projects, craft collection and odds and ends of fabric will be donated to you. They feel good about giving all those odds and ends to a “quilter” who would use it to create a fabulous quilt. And you have to say, “yes, I would love it”, because you do not want to hurt anyone’s feelings…. especially the dead grandmothers!
Occasionally, you might find a wonderful scrap or two of vintage fabric or a yard of “hip” fabric from the 70’s. But more than likely, your collection will include many pieces of double knit polyester and an assortment of “who knows what” the fabric content is-- with the occasional 100% cotton piece thrown in.
My neighbor presented me with rolls and rolls of "designer" fabrics she used to make costumes for her dancing girls. I was informed that most of the stuff she paid at least $50 per yard for. I had to pretend I was grateful, after all, that fabric was an expensive give-a-way that I could not use! I did not confess to her, that I forwarded it to the costume department of a local children’s theater--they would put it to much better use than I could. But, my neighbor keeps hoping she will one day see a quilt made from her sparkly glitter sequin netting and polyester-leather (“pleather”) fabric.
But all does not have to be a loss…when you are presented with such a stray collection of fabric and there is a way to sort the good from the bad! Most quilters want to use fabric that is 100% cotton and not a blend of cotton and polyester—but it is hard to tell just by touching and feeling it.
So here is my tip I learned today from my quilter friend Debbie…. Burn it and see!
Cut a small square of fabric (3”x 3” or so) and put it in a jar or ashtray. Light it on fire. The residue left will tell you what kind of fabric you have:
-100% cotton will leave ashes that disintegrate
-A blend of cotton and polyester will leave some ashes with a piece of stiff residue
-100% polyester will just melt into a glob
Enjoy life. Burn fabric.
Occasionally, you might find a wonderful scrap or two of vintage fabric or a yard of “hip” fabric from the 70’s. But more than likely, your collection will include many pieces of double knit polyester and an assortment of “who knows what” the fabric content is-- with the occasional 100% cotton piece thrown in.
My neighbor presented me with rolls and rolls of "designer" fabrics she used to make costumes for her dancing girls. I was informed that most of the stuff she paid at least $50 per yard for. I had to pretend I was grateful, after all, that fabric was an expensive give-a-way that I could not use! I did not confess to her, that I forwarded it to the costume department of a local children’s theater--they would put it to much better use than I could. But, my neighbor keeps hoping she will one day see a quilt made from her sparkly glitter sequin netting and polyester-leather (“pleather”) fabric.
But all does not have to be a loss…when you are presented with such a stray collection of fabric and there is a way to sort the good from the bad! Most quilters want to use fabric that is 100% cotton and not a blend of cotton and polyester—but it is hard to tell just by touching and feeling it.
So here is my tip I learned today from my quilter friend Debbie…. Burn it and see!
Cut a small square of fabric (3”x 3” or so) and put it in a jar or ashtray. Light it on fire. The residue left will tell you what kind of fabric you have:
-100% cotton will leave ashes that disintegrate
-A blend of cotton and polyester will leave some ashes with a piece of stiff residue
-100% polyester will just melt into a glob
Enjoy life. Burn fabric.
comments
Interesting tip. It makes sense, though.
Can you tell me what exactly makes quilt store fabric better than your run-of-the-mill craft store fabrics? I can see and feel the difference, but what is it? Thread count?
Posted by: linda | December 15, 2005 2:39 PM