Why the prejudice against polyester and poly/cotton blends?
08-02-2011, 10:17 PM
#81
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SoCal
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There is nothing against it. I do not like the feel of many none cotton fabrics. I also did notice that the quilts I mixed cottons and poly cotton (Hawaiian prints) the poly cotton did not wear well and looks and feels less then the cottons in the quilt. My son loves that quilt though so it didn't matter and I got to use the cute prints. Also some of my children love the feel of the polyester those mumus are made with. I wished I felt comfortable enough to sew with that slippery stuff because I know it would mean a lot to them. They grew up in the islands and all the mamas and aunties wore those mumus.
08-02-2011, 10:33 PM
#82
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Maryland
Posts: 264
P.S. In two of the older history quilting books I read in the 18oo's a girl needed 13 quilts of her own before she could marry. Do you think she went and brought what we call quilter's material, or just what the store had?
08-03-2011, 12:19 PM
#83
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: GREAT STATE OF TEXAS
Posts: 1,415
Originally Posted by GloBug
Originally Posted by mom-6
Ok, I've been sewing forever and a week and have used all sorts of fabrics for all sorts of purposes.
Why is there such a definite prejudice among quilters against polyester and poly/cotton blends?
Is it a matter of 'staying true to our roots' or something else?
Or is it related to different ironing temperature required if you are going to use fusible web for applique?
So far I haven't encountered any noticeable difficulties using fabrics of unknown fiber content in my quilts (some of which I suspect are 100% polyester), so I wondered what is going on.
Why is there such a definite prejudice among quilters against polyester and poly/cotton blends?
Is it a matter of 'staying true to our roots' or something else?
Or is it related to different ironing temperature required if you are going to use fusible web for applique?
So far I haven't encountered any noticeable difficulties using fabrics of unknown fiber content in my quilts (some of which I suspect are 100% polyester), so I wondered what is going on.
Quilters used what they had - cottons, wools and silks, all natural fibers. After WWI there were acetates and rayons (wood-pulp base)
There are no polyester fabrics in pre-1950's quilts, as polyester fabrics and blends were not made until the mid 50's and later.
I have a polyester double knit patch quilt DH's grandma made in 1970 - countless kids have used it in 40 yrs, and it's still good for a picnic quilt. It's indestructible and will outlive us all ! :roll:
08-07-2011, 03:25 PM
#87
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Traverse City, Michigan
Posts: 1,317
I was given some polyster/cotton. I used it as it was the most beautiful shade of blue. My friend returned the pillow sham for repair as the fabric did not hold up. (replaced the blue with cotton) I made a quilt our of polycotton which I gave to my daughter. After much use and washings she asked me if it could be repaired. This is what I have run into, Take your chances. I'll stick to cotton.
08-07-2011, 03:58 PM
#88
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
My .02 I do not like working with cotton poly blends when piecing. As a previous poster wrote, cotton is more forgiving and can be eased in or streched into place. I can not be bothered with adjusting my iron down to a lower temp when mixing a blend with 100% and in my early days did end up "glazing" (putting a shine and almost melting) the blend when piecing. Poly blends do not take a crease as easily when pressing and often fight me. I quilt because I enjoy the process but don't like working with blends so I avoid them. I do however love poly threads and battings.
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