Why the prejudice against polyester and poly/cotton blends?
08-01-2011, 04:53 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: In the middle of an Oklahoma wheat field
Posts: 840
Today is one son's 33rd birthday and recently I saw /found his baby quilt made of a mix of fabrics. Guess what == the cotton/poly turquoise fabric was still bright and beautiful. The cotton blocks were only held together by threads. It was a hhhhmmm moment . :shock: :shock:
08-01-2011, 05:39 PM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ridgefield WA
Posts: 7,765
I thought using a black polyester/cotton blend would be fine with 100% cotton. Then after I'd pieced and pressed a few blocks I noticed the black sashing looked way too short. Thought it was my cutting, so cut some more 9 1/2" strips. pressed them with steam on the usual cotton setting and they became 9 1/4" ! Lost 1/4" on that short strip!
My fault that I didn't know about using different temps but I was told mixing the two fabrics was alright! *sigh*
No polyester for me again!
My fault that I didn't know about using different temps but I was told mixing the two fabrics was alright! *sigh*
No polyester for me again!
08-01-2011, 06:07 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posts: 706
No quilt police here either. If I put good money out on quilt shop cottons, I like to be consistent with the fiber content throughout the project.
I make many charity quilts and quilts for family and I have mixed fibers with good results. I believe in using what I have especially now I don't have a fabric shop in town.
I make many charity quilts and quilts for family and I have mixed fibers with good results. I believe in using what I have especially now I don't have a fabric shop in town.
08-01-2011, 06:20 PM
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Alberta
Posts: 248
I find that with the very dry air around where I live, synthetic fibers like polyester will make a lot of static cling. For that reason I don't wear clothes with synthetic fabrics, since static cling will give me a headache. I use only cotton in my quilting for basically the same reason. I also dislike how polyester tends to pill after awhile.
08-01-2011, 06:20 PM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Beautiful Briery Mountain in WV
Posts: 2,551
In my experience:
When preparing applique I find cotton turns and holds a crease much better than blends/polyester. Synthetics fray more but hold color better. Dog hair likes synthetics. Woven synthetics tend to slip and slide more when seaming than cottons.
In case of fire, cotton burns to ash and synthetics melt into sticky globs...
When preparing applique I find cotton turns and holds a crease much better than blends/polyester. Synthetics fray more but hold color better. Dog hair likes synthetics. Woven synthetics tend to slip and slide more when seaming than cottons.
In case of fire, cotton burns to ash and synthetics melt into sticky globs...
08-01-2011, 06:58 PM
#19
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 25,193
Originally Posted by Kitsie
I thought using a black polyester/cotton blend would be fine with 100% cotton. Then after I'd pieced and pressed a few blocks I noticed the black sashing looked way too short. Thought it was my cutting, so cut some more 9 1/2" strips. pressed them with steam on the usual cotton setting and they became 9 1/4" ! Lost 1/4" on that short strip!
My fault that I didn't know about using different temps but I was told mixing the two fabrics was alright! *sigh*
No polyester for me again!
My fault that I didn't know about using different temps but I was told mixing the two fabrics was alright! *sigh*
No polyester for me again!
08-01-2011, 06:59 PM
#20
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
For applique, all-cotton fabric is easier to work with than poly or poly blends. The cotton creases easier and holds a crease longer, plus cotton frays less around the edges.
For piecing, poly is more slippery than cotton, making matching complex patterns harder.
If you are making a quilt you want to last a very long time, it's a good idea not to mix cottons with polyesters. This is because polyesters do not fade over time. Cottons do fade. You really want all the fabrics to either fade together or not fade at all; mixing them can create quite odd-looking results down the line.
For piecing, poly is more slippery than cotton, making matching complex patterns harder.
If you are making a quilt you want to last a very long time, it's a good idea not to mix cottons with polyesters. This is because polyesters do not fade over time. Cottons do fade. You really want all the fabrics to either fade together or not fade at all; mixing them can create quite odd-looking results down the line.
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