Advice for multiple textured fabric in a longarmed quilt
 

Hello! I'm hoping some of you out there will have some experience or advice for me. I'm starting the second of three double/queen sized quilt tops for a friend whose husband passed away. I am incorporating fabric from his clothes into the quilts. I've attached a photo here to the completed double wedding ring quilt, the first in the series. Fabric from the "rings" in this quilt came from her husband's dress shirts and ties.

I now am looking at fabrics for the next quilt and here is where my question comes in. I'm wondering how much I can get away with in terms of mixed fabric textures for a quilt that will eventually be longarmed. The man had beautiful, very fine clothes. Some shirts are exceptionally soft cottons. But I'd also like to use a piece of ripped denim from a pair of jeans, and have a range of textures in between these two. After the quilt is longarmed, I want to add more artifacts such as buttons, maybe even a shirt label, sewing them on by hand. For this quilt, I want it to be textured, chunky in some ways, almost overstated that the fabrics are upcycled clothing.

Do you all have any recommendations generally, foresee any issues, or have any advice to offer? Many thanks in advance!

I've combined weights of fabric in a memory quilt in the past. If you quilt carefully and slowly, there should not be a problem, or at least not a major problem.

the DWR is beautiful. WOW.

The long arm should be able to handle the multiple fabric textures, but it would have to be free hand (hand guided). Pantos are often done from the back where the quilter can't see the quilt and might have problems where 2 uneven textures join. Same thing with a computer guided design it just goes and might get hung up on a thicker seam. Hand guided custom quilting will do the trick, but be prepared to pay extra. Sit down with your long armer when you drop off the quilt so everyone is on the same page.
As far as embellishments are concerned (buttons etc.) those go on after the quilting is done.

***Update*** pic with fabrics I want to incorporate below.

Here's an inspiration quilt I am looking at:
http://pinterest.com/pin/138345019773423825/

I would not think there would be a problem with the longarm. I know my longarm (Innova) is quite strong and I haven't had a problem going through any fabric combination. I just have to say that DWR is gorgeous. I don't think I've seen one with the dramatically dark rings and white background - wow!

I have no advice on the long arming - I just wanted to say how beautiful your DWR is. I'm not usually a fan of that pattern but you have changed my mind...and another pattern is now on the bucket list!

Alison

Your DWR quilt is one of the prettiest I have seen! You did an excellent job. Sorry I'm no help with your question.

Thanks for all the kind words about the DWR quilt! It did turn out beautifully. It helps when you are working with materials like Armani ties. The fabrics were sumptuous. Here are some more pics. Thanks for the love. :)

Beautiful DWR!!!!! I do not think quilting the fabrics should be a problem .