Crafty Grandma

has anyone ever made a quilt of mixed materials? I love machine embroidering on flannel but want to use cotton to put my quilt together. I don't think there would be a problem but want to ask those with more experience than I.. thanks in advance for any pointers or suggestions.

joe'smom

My first quilt (since I didn't know any better) mixed quilting cotton and home dec fabric, and it didn't seem to cause any problems (it's fairly heavily quilted, about 1/2 to 1" apart). The top I'm currently working on, I had to use some brushed cotton for the setting triangles as it was the only thing I could find in the right color. I turned the brushed part to the back.

Jane Quilter

I've mixed materials before. I love to add shiny bridal satin left over from the kids wedding dresses. I've added polyester fabric from left over children's dresses. Ive yet to make a t-shirt quilt...some are cotton/poly...but I will some day. And i love to embroider so I make new fabric from time to time, and soon, I plan to acrylic paint some fabric...so on and on I go....No rules.

Crafty Grandma

thanks everyone I'll let you know how it turns out.

Tartan

Flannel tends to shrink more then quilting cotton. I might mist the flannel embroidery blocks and iron them dry before piecing to the cotton fabrics.

Jeanne S

I have mixed cottons, flannels, wools, denims, etc. To have different textures to make quilts interesting. It is your quilt, put in anything you want! I do agree with Tartan to preWash to avoid uneven shrinking.

ckcowl

All the time! I mix flannels, regular cottons, Minky, corduroy, denim....I've made many quilts with a variety of textures. Just finished (2) kids quilts with flannel appliqués on cotton background squares with flannel sashing strips. Turned out great. I've been mixing textiles for 50 years.

quiltingcandy

A friend of mine just did that and all was fine. I usually put flannel on the back of a quilt because I like how comfy it makes the quilt and never had a problem. When I do use flannel I always double sew my seams though because it has so much looser weave than cotton for quilting.

Crafty Grandma

I did wash the flannel before I embroidered the squares as I had a very bad experience with shrinking and the embroidery puckered. Thanks everyone for you suggestions and inspiration.

ManiacQuilter2

I agree with others, flannel shrinks a lot more than 100% cotton so be sure to prewash.