I have begun a wall hanging recently for which I chose cotton fabric, cotton thread and cotton batting. But I started to think that maybe for a wall hanging I should have chosen polyester fabric, thread and batting because if the fabric is a percentage of cotton and a percentage of polyester, there is no shrinkage, the colors are more apt to not run or fade. There would be no need to prewash the fabric, and when the finished wall hanging finally appeared soiled after hanging on the wall for a year or so, washing it would not give it that puckery appearance that we like on our bed quilts. The wall hanging would look as it did when it was first finished. Or would it??????? ;-)

lots of wall hangings are made with all kinds of different fabrics, you do not have to stick with cottons; usually wall hangings are made with those fabrics that bleed, or specialty fabrics that you wouldn't want to use in a quilt that would be used, it is common (thought) that wall hangings do not get washed so there are no restrictions. if you plan to wash your wall hanging you will want to pre-wash and make sure all materials are washable together. if you are making a regular wall hanging that probably will not be washed then use what ever. and remember, it is not always the fabric that is doing the shrinking with wash/dry...it is the cotton batting!

I do what Ckcowl said--specialty fabrics that I don't buy large amounts of are what I make wallhangings out of. I also like using unwashed batiks because they hold their shape and colors so well. I never use cotton batting in wall hangings; I use Warm & White which is a combination (it's made by the Warm & Natural co.). It doesn't stretch or distort when quilted or hanging for a long time. Usually wall hangings can just be GENTLY vacuumed with the nozzle covered. I rarely wash mine. Use what you have or what you want-I go for what looks good in a wall hanging. I don't worry about usage and wear. Good luck!

You know - I think you're right! The cotton batting shrinks! Of course! I never thought of that! Duh! :oops:
Thank you for your reply. If I make a wall hanging for someone, I'll tell them DON'T WASH THIS! :hunf:
You have been a great help to me and so has janRN who suggested not using cotton batting for a wall hanging due to the fact that it distorts.
Thanks Ladies!

I clean my wall hangings with a sticky roller. They'll also pick up dust. I'm going to go pick up three wall hangings from the quilter today that should never be washed. They have cotton, silk and polyester fabrics in them! The poly isn't like a cotton/poly blend either. It's from a bridesmaid dress so it's a fake satin kind of stuff.

I have one wall hanging that has a dimensional gathered lamp shade on it. No way for that one to be washed either.