Janet My

I am at a quandary as to what to do with old clothes to make a quilt. My aunt passed away and my cousin gave me a some clothes to work with. I have a few problems...

1: My aunt ripped out all the labels. so I'm guessing here, as to what type of fabric I've got. (Some I'm sure are 100% cotton... others are a mystery as to the percentage of cotton in them.)

2: Most of them are all light colors... lots of white and pale colors.

3: I don't believe I have enough to make a decent size lap quilt, so I was thinking about doing a bed runner.
(any one have any suggestions on a pattern?)

4: Since I have a mess of mixed content fabrics... I was thinking I should be doing these on a foundation block. ???

5: I need a very simple pattern that will go together quickly.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I know that you talented quilters here well point me in the right direction.

Thank you for your help with this project I've gotten myself into.

SmickChick

Think of yourself as a "fiber artist" vs. a quilter. No need to worry about fiber content when it won't be washed. A wonderful wall hanging could be a great project for your materials. Hang it on the wall. You can do it!

Havplenty

here is a link to test your fabrics to help determine fiber content
http://quilting.about.com/od/fabricembellishment/a/burn_test.htm

here is a good site and tute on making 'passage' quilts with loved ones fabrics. hopefully you can get some starting ideas from here. good luck
http://daintytime.net/tags/keepsakequiltalong/

i have one more pattern i am looking for. will post as soon as i find it.

Neesie

As long as all of the clothes have been washed, it's okay to mix blends with cottons. Back when my grandmother was quilting, folks used whatever fabric was available. Just make sure they can all be washed/cleaned, the same way.

Havplenty

here is a simple pattern to use where you can use big pieces cut from the clothes.
http://incolororder.blogspot.com/201...-tutorial.html

knlsmith

I have done a quilt like this. I put a light weight fusible interface on the ones i wasn't sure if cotton and the thin ones. Used yellow brick road as inspiration, but didn't follow exactly. Came out great. I will try to find the ouc n post here for you.

knlsmith

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...ts-t33011.html

Heres the link for the one i did.

quiltinginfla

I make lots of these. Use Sweet 16 pattern. For really stretchy fabrics, iron on non woven stabilizer (pellon fusi form). Keep pockets, plackets and interesting tidbits. Can introduce black, navy for contrast, and novelty fabric that has prints of things that remind you of person's interests (eg dogs, butterfly, flower, etc)

Janet My

Thank you all for your help with this. I now have a better idea of what I'm going to do. I know I have a lot of stretchy fabric and I do have the fusible here and have never used it. Guess now is the time. All the fabric is washable, so I'm safe in that department.

If anyone else has any other ideas, please post them.

I know I've come to the right place with this question.

PaperPrincess

Regarding the colors all being pale, there's no rule that says the entire top needs to be made from her clothing. You can add purchased yardage in a darker tone for the sashing or a repeated patch element in each block. For me, sashing ties scrappy blocks together