Beginner's Guide To Quilting - UK (2020-04)

Choosing

YOUR FABRIC

V

isit any fabric shop and you’ll

quickly realise just how many

different materials and

patterns are available – how do you

choose when there’s so much

gorgeous fabric out there?

Theoretically, you can attempt a

quilting project with pretty much

any fabric, but in reality, at least

when you’re starting out, there are a

few fail-safes you’ll probably want to

stick with. Specific quilting cottons

are available, and there are also

similar fabrics that will be just as

good. Read on to find out what you

should be looking for on your next

fabric-shopping trip.

COTTON

Cotton is probably the most versatile and

commonly used quilting and patchwork

fabric. While any cotton weave will do, it’s

With hundreds – if not thousands – of fabrics to choose from, you’re never short

of options. Follow our guide to help you start shopping with confidence!

Materials & Tools

10 Beginner’s Guide to Quilting

worth buying special quilting cotton as it

will be good quality (100% cotton rather

than a polyester cotton blend) with a

higher thread count. It’s also strong and

easy to work with. Although cotton can

crease easily it will happily withstand

being pressed. In fact, the fact that cotton

creases well is very useful when it comes

to ironing seams during piecework.

Cotton blends (usually polycottons – a

blend of polyester and cotton) are fine for

quilting and available in loads of great

prints, but not as good quality as 100%

cotton fabrics. You might find you prefer

to use them as backings. It’s a good idea

not to mix cotton and polycotton fabrics

when you’re piecing, as they might wash

differently and cause seams to pucker if

one shrinks and the other doesn’t,

although this problem can be prevented

to some extent if you prewash your

fabrics before cutting and sewing them.

OTHER WOVEN FABRICS

Apart from cotton and cotton blends,

there are other woven fabrics that you

might want to consider. Linen is made

from flax and is fairly durable, although

it crumples very easily. It can also be

tricky to work with as it can fray and slip

around under a sewing machine needle.

That said, it ages very well, becoming

softer with washing, so you might want

to consider it for something like a child’s

quilt. Linen/cotton blends are popular

with quilters, as they look (and feel) like

linen but are easier to work with.