Choosing The Best Fabric For Quilting
When you have to choose a fabric for your next quilting project, the process will certainly be very interesting. Since patterns are similar, what actually differs in their choices in the fabric? How do you choose the best fabric for your quilt project?
Most quilters prefer fabrics made with 100 percent cotton because cotton is easy to handle, mark, press and sew by hand. Due to these advantages that cotton has over other fabrics, specialized shops sell a majority of pure cotton fabrics, which of course differ in color, design and size.
Those who have accumulated more experience with quilting may want to deal with different, more sophisticated material. An unusual fabric may be difficult to work with, especially when it's your first time using it, so it is advisable to use a test block first. If you want to add layers of different materials, again make a test. Bear in mind that medium dense fabrics work well with even weaves. Fabrics which are poorly woven may distort themselves too easily while woolen or silken materials, generally those that are lightweight, are more difficult to work with and prior experience is required.
Moreover, not only will the fabric influence your quilting project but so too will the colors you choose. The tone could be used to give depth to the handicraft and add interest to an otherwise dull quilt. Thus, it is best to combine both color and tone for the desired look to take shape.
Chromatically speaking, you also need to ensure the color of the fabric will be well complemented by the others around it. Contrasting colors make nice effects and ensure your piece is original. Warm colors like yellows, oranges or reds combined with colder ones like greens, blues, or violets enliven the quilt block and make it more attractive to the eye and vividly portrayed.
Furthermore, you can combine fabrics which have different prints or styles because if the fabrics are correctly matched together, you will create a visually enticing quilting block. Visual effects can be created by using graduated colors. For instance, cotton materials come in different designs or styles, like the homespun plaids, floral motifs, batiks or tiny grained prints which realistically reproduce solid dots, soft flannels or reproduction prints. Solid-color fabrics, in their turn, offer a variegated choice of colors, sizes, prints and shades.
Another tip to consider is that quilt blocks can be made of layers of the same fabrics or shade, but it would be more interesting if you ensured they contrasted in texture. For instance, fabrics such as taffeta that combine velvet with sheen create wonderful effects to the eye.
After you have made your choices, you must use the fabric accordingly and prepare it for the quilting project. Cotton fabrics may shrink when washed or dried so if you don't wash cotton fabric before using it for quilting, the first time you wash it, it may ruin your quilting because the stitching lines might gather in small wrinkles and the fabric could shrink.
Therefore, to make sure your work will not be affected by the fabric's washing properties, you must pre-wash all the fabrics prior to starting your work in the machine, setting it on the short gentle washing cycle. It's best to use cool or lukewarm water and never use hot water. A mild, not too powerful detergent could be used, but don't wash with detergent if the fabric is unsoiled. As a precaution you should wash fabrics with similar colors together in case they are not colorfast. After the washing, dry and press the fabric for ironing. Only after this final stage will the fabrics be ready for quilting. You would not want to work for hours on a quilt only to have the fabric shrink after washing it.
Kate Welder ~ ApraxiaSpeaks.com
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