The Basics On Choosing The

Right Quilting Fabric:
Quilting with a Personality


Throughout the history, a lot of women and some men have found inexplicable joy and fulfillment in quilting. No wonder, quilting is still a popular craft of sewing albeit the emergence of highly modernized sewing contraptions and methods. The art of quilting have been passed on from one generation to another, a family legacy that have certainly bear witness the colorful family history.


Quilts are not merely regarded as an outlet of one’s innate creativity and artistry but a clear reflection of one’s personality. Like a piece of painting or any other for of art, quilting provides everyone a rare glimpse of the unique character of the quilter. In more ways than one, quilting does not only require a clear affinity with needlework but also the sheer love and diligence for the craft. It’s no wonder why centuries ago, families would often invite an itinerant quilter to stay with them for a full week or longer. The concept is to get to know the family personally before starting a commissioned quilting project – very similar to painting a family portrait, right?


The Secret Is In The Cloth


All seasoned quilter would readily divulge that one secret to making a beautiful quilt is actually in choosing the right fabric. One might go as far as to saying choosing that the right fabric is equally important to the technical skill required for the craft. Quilters usually spend a lot browsing through swatches of fabrics before finally settling on the perfect on, understandably one of the very first major hurdle in any quilting project.


So what should be taken into account when choosing your quilting fabric?


Since quilts are expected to last for a couple of decades or so, every serious quilter should pay particular attention to the quality of the fabric. Do not skimp or your cloth since the best way to produce a superior quality quilt would greatly rely on the craftsmanship of the cloth. Another important aspect to consider is the texture of the cloth – it can be soft and sinuous, boldly texture, warm and cozy or even downy and sophisticated. Textures will vary mostly on the particular use. You would naturally lean on towards warm fabrics for bedcovers and highly textured fabrics for wall decors that add more character to the quilt details. The design of the fabric should be a thing of importance. Bold patterns are generally used for wall decors, pastel and dainty designs for baby quilts, etc.


Cotton


Most expert quilters would claim that 100% cotton material would be the most ideal choose for fabric quilts. Such is not simply the old wives’ tale that you can shrug off - the years of experience definitely adds a grain of truth to it, right?


Most quilters would prefer the 100% cotton fabric mainly because it is much easier to quilt through and can easily be pressed crisply with only minimal or no distortion at all at the seams. Aside from the fact that cotton fabrics are available in virtually any hue in the color palette, it is also quite inexpensive in comparison to the other fabric compositions. It is highly suitable for beddings and decorative purposes.


The main drawback of using 100% cotton in quilting is its tendency to fade through constant washing and direct exposure to direct sunlight. It is also known to shrink to when buying a cotton fabric, always make sure you buy some additional meters for shrinkage allowance.


There are some other varieties such as cotton and polyester blends. However, it falls short in comparison to 100% cotton since they tend to pucker when sew and are known to display creases despite after thorough pressing. Although such material is equally durable and can withstand frequent washing, the fabric will have a tendency to stretch along the grain lines, which makes it doubly difficult to maintain accuracy during fabric piecing.


Silk


Silk have been known to e relatively easy to quilt, it can be a quite unusual choice of fabric but not totally unheard of. Among the most popular methods of quilting silks a re the silk tie quilts, especially in the Japanese kimonos. The fabric itself exudes an unrivaled elegance not to mention the fact that it drapes rather well and has a luxurious feel to it.


Generally the strength of the silk fabric makes it more difficult to finger press. That is why if you are so keen in using silks ion your quilts, you need to frequently press the seams while you are piecing the fabric. Usually, pinholes are quite visible on silks so better use the pins that are specially designed for silks. When machine stitching, make sure you also use a much thinner sewing machine needle.

Silk have a slippery texture, which also contributes to its inability to retain its shape, sewing it would have the tendency of the fabric to slide around. You will probably need tons of pins to ensure that the fabric will stay in place and to retain its shape. A great solution to this dilemma is to actually iron each individual piece interfacing. This may probably take extra time but will prove to be well worth the effort.


Silks naturally come with a higher price tag than other types of fabric. If you are relatively new at quilting, then it’s best to stick with cotton until to acquire enough expertise and confidence to try your skill with silk. If you are truly dead set on using silk, you can also use silk batting to make it 100% silk.


Wool


A lot of people choose to use wool for quilts especially for making beddings since it is known to effectively ward of the cold and has the capability of retaining heat extremely well. During the Civil War, wool quilts were largely credited for the hundreds of lives saved all throughout the harsh winter seasons.

However, wool presents a greater challenge to quilters since it is generally more difficult to work on as compared to cotton since it is considerably thicker. Quilting by hand may turn out to be almost impossible to do because of its bulk and would also require a high-grade sewing machine. In close comparison to cotton, wool is significantly more expensive and would usually require regular dry cleaning for maintenance.


Buying Fabric Tips


When planning for your next quilting project, you would probably spend hours on some fabric catalogs. However, choosing fabrics are best done when you are able to personally touch and feel the textures at inspect the quality at close proximity. So for easier shopping, you can trace out the actual size of your quilting blocks on a piece of Bristol board. Cut can simply cut it out, without including the seam allowance. The next time you do you fabric shopping, hold the fabric against the Bristol boards so you will actually have an idea as to what it would look like in blocks.


There are many people to commit the same mistake of actually checking the fabric from the back part, which of course spells out a world of difference. The back part of the fabric is actually paler than the front, so you may not know it; the fabric color that you are actually searching for is literally right under your nose. A lot of quilters don’t know that they can actually use the backside instead of the front and attain quite an interesting effect. A famous quilt teacher even once suggested using both sides for a more dramatic effect.


Color Guide


One of the most frequently asked questions in the world quilting is “ How will I know which color complement each other?” and “ What type of fabric should I pick out for my quilt?” Needless to say, fabric and color are closely related in quilting. That is why the colors should be given close considerations in order to create a more coordinated overall effect. Here are some basic tips that can come in handy in choosing fabric colors.


§ Combining to color quilts can result to a highly interesting appeal. For a more stunning result, you can pick and combine contrasting colors such as white and blue, pink and yellow or any other color combinations that you have in mind.


§ One effective way to evaluate colors is to categorize them as light, medium and dark. Combining all three can easily create more interest and character to your quilt. There are many quilt makers who use colors as a primary design in their quilts.


§ If you have enough time to spare, spend some valuable time in textile store s and factories. Study the different color swatches and get one fabric sample of each to so can mix and match them to see which blend better with which. This can be the best approach before actually purchasing your fabric of choice.


To Prewash or Not?


For years, there has been a long-standing debate as to prewash your fabric before quilting or not. A lot of people claim that it is quite imperative to prewash to allow fabric to naturally shrink, some people would readily contest to this claim as it can potentially ruin the natural form of the fabric.


Here are some of the reasons not to prewash your fabric:


§ Most fabrics today are treated with some mildew retardant, which means if you prewash your fabric and store it away, you are actually exposing it to mildew infestation.


§ New and unwashed fabrics are also treated with light retardants, this will prevent the colors from fading it lest unwashed rather than prewashing it.


§ If you will sell your quilt, unwashed fabrics would turn out to be more valuable than the washed ones.


Some people prefer to prewash their fabrics for the following reasons:


§ In order to remove all the chemicals in the fabric and makes its easier for quilters to handle the fabric.


§ Fabrics with high cotton content have a tendency to shrink, it is best to wash them to prevent puckering once you start with your quilting.


§ There are a handful of fabrics available out there that has some tendency to bleed. This can be a nightmare for quilters who opted to sew before washing since the possibility to contaminating other fabrics is all too real.


Given all the pros and cons of prewashing one has to conclude that pre washing is definitely a must if you are planning to use the fabric right away. However, if you are simply planning to store the fabric for future use, it would be best to wash it only before you use it.


Now that you definitely have a head start on choosing your quilting fabrics, you can choose with more confidence and hopefully with a more critical eye for details such as color, texture, and quality. Remember to choose fabrics that will best fit your personality, since you are literally unraveling a piece of you in every stitch you quilt.