My mother used poly cotton because that's what she had left from dress making. I have quilts at least 50 years old and they still look good. She sewed pieces to newspaper that she traced around a kitchen tile then cut out by hand for a pattern. Polyester blend doesn't crease & iron like 100% cotton but like others have said - use what ya' got. My quilts are for keeping warm. Mother hand quilted her quilts AND used sheets for backing.