how to use cheap, rough fabric

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03-28-2011, 05:33 AM

#11

feline fanatic

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Quote:

Originally Posted by joivey

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I've thought about baked potato bags, butI am not even sure it is all cotton. How do I tell if something is cotton or a blend? Maybe grocery bags.........or tote bags with much "decoration". Still open for suggestions.....
Jo Ann

You can test fiber content by doing a burn test. Have a bowl of water readily available, I do it over my kitchen sink. I take a piece of the suspect fabric and hold a flame to it. If it melts it is a man made fiber or contains some like a poly or poly blend. If it ashes it is a natural fiber like cotton or silk.

03-28-2011, 05:34 AM

#12

joivey

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Thank you so much. I'm off to test my fabrics with your test method.
Jo Ann

03-28-2011, 05:35 AM

#13

Painiacs

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I like the grocery bag suggestion! Doesn't matter if it's tough!

03-28-2011, 05:51 AM

#14

luvTooQuilt

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Quote:

Originally Posted by emmah

Are you sure it is not feed sack fabric? Post a picture so people can see what the fabric looks like and maybe there will be some more suggestions.

that was my thought as well - original feed sacks wear like iron.. and pretty expensive too..

03-28-2011, 07:32 AM

#15

Candace

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I use low quality fabric for foundation piecing or testing out embroidery designs etc.

03-28-2011, 07:39 AM

#16

CoriAmD

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Quote:

Originally Posted by charity-crafter

Have you tried washing it several times? Sometimes fabric improves after a couple washes...and sometimes it doesn't.

Is it at least pretty? Could you make tote bags? or grocery bags?

Yes, this was my thought.... since it is rough, it sounds like it might be of heavier weight and great for tote/grocery bags
Can you post a pic? ;-)

03-29-2011, 03:50 AM

#17

quiltmaker

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I was just wondering and please don't laugh...but was wondering if soaking it in fabric softner would help in any way? Maybe it's just a far out idea but it might possibly help. ;)

03-29-2011, 04:10 AM

#18

joivey

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That is a great idea. I'm still pondering things to make that softness would not matter......like grocery bags or tote bags. I"m loving all the ideas.
Jo Ann