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  • I was given tons of fabric, but many of it I do not know what it is need help

  • I was given tons of fabric, but many of it I do not know what it is need help

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    Old 11-06-2009, 11:21 AM
      #11  
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    I have seen a lot of nice quilts that were made out of cottons and cotton/poly blends. Just make sure that you prewash everything when mixing fabric types. Some people believe in only using cottons, some happily mix all kinds of fabrics... Wall hangings that do not get washed often/or never, they use all kinds of fabrics...
    Be creative with these wonderful gifts from your DB and most of all....
    Have Fun!!! :wink: :D :D :D
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    Old 11-06-2009, 12:50 PM
      #12  
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    Congratulations!
    After awhile, you will start picking up indicators that tell you if it is polyesther, a blend, or 100% cotton.
    I am with Amma ... if I like a color or the fabric fits, I use it no matter what the blend is as long as the weight is similar.
    fake fabric is polyesther (actually a byproduct of oil/gasoline)
    I have found over the years, that I can tell by making a cut what I am working with - - cotton will cut cleanly ... polyesther starts wisping off on the cut edge ... and, if you are still not sure, give the edge of the cut a rub and see what happens next.
    The burn test is the most accurate, I would suppose ... there is also a smell that happens with natural fibers burning ... like hair being burnt, while the other fabrics have an acidic, biting air.
    The small beads from the burning of polyesther comes from the fact that they are oil-based ... it has been said that you could start fire to all the plastic in the world, and it would never disappear, it just shrivels on itself and turns into a ball!
    I love plastic, don't get me wrong ... I have tried to figure out how to create an outdoor oven for melting all the plastic we have into some kind of rock for a retaining wall ... so far, my family thinks I am too crazy to even bother to try to fulfill my latest whim! :?
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    Old 11-06-2009, 12:59 PM
      #13  
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    Where are you? I'll be right over.LOL There is a way to find out if it's a 100% cotton, cotton poly blend or wool by burning a small piece of the fabric, unfortunately I don't know where the test is on my computer. Maybe someone else can help you.
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    Old 11-06-2009, 01:43 PM
      #14  
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    Originally Posted by sewmuchmore
    that is my problem is does not say. Some look like cotton but has a shine to it so I am not sure what it is.
    Some 100% cottons have that shine because they are made with a certain type of process. I call those fabrics "polished cottons", but many people will refer to them as "chintz".

    Thay can still be 100% cotton, so I also recommend the burn test.

    Best of luck to you. If you need some help using up those materials, I'll bet you will find a lot of us here who would be willing tocome over and help you out!

    Odessa
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    Old 11-06-2009, 02:19 PM
      #15  
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    I found this site on the web:http://www.ditzyprints.com/dpburnchart.html, it lists all kinds of fabrics
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    Old 11-06-2009, 02:27 PM
      #16  
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    That's it, I'm booking the plane tickets right now! lol!

    Whatever fabric it is and whatever you decide to make, I really do hope you get many many hours of enjoyment out of it.

    Damkina
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    Old 11-06-2009, 03:43 PM
      #17  
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    I really want to start burning fabric corners to try this out! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
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    Old 11-06-2009, 04:10 PM
      #18  
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    Here is the site that has Fiber Burn Test Chart that I use

    http://www.fiber-images.com

    Congratulations on surviving cancer.

    Have fun and enjoy making those quilts and other projects to help defray your medical costs. Maybe have an auction or raffle for the quilts to help raise the money.

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    Old 11-06-2009, 04:59 PM
      #19  
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    I would suggest that as long as you don't mix types of fabrid within a quilt, it should be fine. I have seen lots of poly blend quilts that turn out fine, even poly knits (yuck). It depends on if you want to make a quilt for showmanship or function. There are so many needy folks that would be happy for anything.If you have that much fabric, you could surely find combo's of color that look great together.

    Once I had 4 big black garbage bags full of various knits. I made them into 14 large quilts (similar to a blizzard quilt) to send them to disaster folks (can't remember which disaster it was, but I do remember it was a cold climate. I never saw the faces of those who received them, but I could feel the happiness in my heart. They actually were kinda pretty!
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    Old 11-06-2009, 05:16 PM
      #20  
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    What a great brother you have. Have lots of fun with all that fabric.
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