double knit for quilting?
#23
Originally Posted by deedum
Would you turn down an offer of tons of double knit fabric? A friend has offered to give me some and while I prefer cotton, I still think there is room for double knit in the quilting world. What do you think? Should I get it or would you pass? Would they work for charity lap quilts? They would certainly be warm. What about backing with bluejean material as the top? Any ideas?
#24
My son was born in 1979. My grandmother made him a crib-sized quilt from double knit - then later made him a twin-sized quilt in the same pattern with the same material (or close enough). Still have both those quilts. The borders are hand quilted, but the body is tied.
#25
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,406
Are you talking double knit cotton - which can be very stretchy
or
The heavy double knit polyesters? Some of them had/have little or no stretch
Different knits have different characteristics. Some are so stretchy that they can almost double in size in both directions - some are so stable that denim seems stretchy by comparison.
I would use the not very stretchy pieces for utility quilts - the ones that you have in the trunk of your car.
Remember the old pictures of beating out a fire with a quilt? Those were heavy ones made of wool.
I would not try that with a blanket/quilt made of synthetic fibers or a synthetic fiber batting.
or
The heavy double knit polyesters? Some of them had/have little or no stretch
Different knits have different characteristics. Some are so stretchy that they can almost double in size in both directions - some are so stable that denim seems stretchy by comparison.
I would use the not very stretchy pieces for utility quilts - the ones that you have in the trunk of your car.
Remember the old pictures of beating out a fire with a quilt? Those were heavy ones made of wool.
I would not try that with a blanket/quilt made of synthetic fibers or a synthetic fiber batting.
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: New England
Posts: 575
Originally Posted by peacebypiece
I made a quilt from doubleknit scraps back in the late 70's when it was popular. I used polyester batting and backed it with a sheet. I still use that quilt in the winter here in Michigan. It's heavy and very warm.
I have 2 doubleknit scrap quilts, 1 made by my mom and another my grandmother purchased back in the 70's...I love them, bright and colorful!
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Victorian Sweatshop
Posts: 863
My mother made many tops from double knit back when. When she passed my sisters kept all of them. They were pretty, she did Grandmas Fan, Hexagon, Trip Around the World.
If you decide to go ahead, sort thru and get rid of what won't work, you know, bad color, too flimsy, etc.
Then cut them into big squares, 10 or 12 inches, so they stack up neatly. Plan to tie them. Somewhere, someone will be cold and downhearted this winter. I would put charity quilts on my short list of things worth doing.
If you decide to go ahead, sort thru and get rid of what won't work, you know, bad color, too flimsy, etc.
Then cut them into big squares, 10 or 12 inches, so they stack up neatly. Plan to tie them. Somewhere, someone will be cold and downhearted this winter. I would put charity quilts on my short list of things worth doing.
#29
I have a funky quilt that I bought at a yard sale with a combination of large silk squares (scarves) and polyester double knit squares. It has a sheet for the backing and no batting. I don't think I'll make one soon but it's a lot of fun to look at.
#30
Our quilting group quilts for others. We are currently swearing at, I mean, working on a quilt that is double knit, sashed with cotton and batted and backed in the usual way. It is a nightmare to hand quilt. If you decide to use double knit, just use two layers of it, do not use a batting, and whatever you do, do not hand quilt it. Just tie it, or better yet, make a rag quilt as you go.
Been there, done that.
Been there, done that.
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