annabanana

hi you professionals, you!
curious what percale cotton is. is it 100% cotton?

the reason i'm asking is because i'm purchasing a sheet set for the backing of a quilt. (yes, i have no problems with using sheets for the backing :) ). anyways, i would still like it to be 100% cotton.

thanks so much in advance!

a

donnajean

According to this definition, Percale can be 100% cotton, 'or' a blend. The content should be on the label of the sheet you purchase.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_cotton_percale

clem55

Percale sheets have a tighter weave( higher thread count). That is how we use to buy sheets, either percale or muslin, the muslin was a lower thread count so not as smooth feeling, both were cotton.

KalamaQuilts

I know, old thread, but has anyone used rit dye on old sheets? I bought a small twining loom and before I use my quilting cotton I thought I'd experiment with an old set of sheets. thanks!

Iceblossom

I have used Rit Dye on sheets before, mostly while experimenting with patterns and techniques. I really prefer the heat set/microwave method above all others, and follow their directions for setting the colors. Haven't done it for awhile but I think they do recommend either pre- or post-treating.

My reds tended to fade quite a bit as well as bleed, blue/green/purple seemed to hold up well.

On a somewhat unrelated tangent, I found our large local Walmart craft section (next to the fabric if your store still has it) had a lot of good dying supplies along with Tie-Dye kits.

Edit/PS/I forgot to mention -- it is getting harder to find all cotton sheets in thrift stores or whatever any more. Fabric content really makes a difference in dyes, I think the current trend is using rayon for better colors??

KalamaQuilts

seasons best IceBlossom! I seldom go to thrifts, but sheets never seem to be iin short supply The last store bought ones I got are some kind of microfiber, pretty but not cotton for sure.
I think I'll just keep looking for orange, I know they are out there or just buy fabric.

aashley333

None of the quilts that I used bed sheets to construct have endured the passage of time/washings. Learned that early on, thankfully. Now, I just trim off the failing border(s).