Piecing with linen?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 98
Piecing with linen?
Planning what to make with the Tula Pink fat quarter bundle I’ve ordered, and the options on the pattern shortlist would all require white background fabric.
What do we think of using linen for the background? If yay, what weight of linen would be appropriate? What else do I need to know?
Thanks!
What do we think of using linen for the background? If yay, what weight of linen would be appropriate? What else do I need to know?
Thanks!
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Davenport, Iowa
Posts: 3,789
When I think of Linen what comes to mind is suits, dress pants etc. The weave is usually looser to allow the fabric to breathe and be cooler in the summer months. Personally I would not use it in a quilt. Is there a fabric out now that resembles a linen texture for quilting? If so, then it has excaped my attention.
#3
Laundry Basket Quilts has a line of quilting cotton that is called linen texture that is beautiful and has a wide range of colors. My next suggestion might be Kaufman’s Essex Linen which is a blend of cotton and linen that is wonderful to work with. I made a quilt from that line and it was wonderful to work with. I have not combined the Essex linen with quilting cottons, but if memory serves me right, another member here has, and perhaps they will chime in and share their expertise.
#4
I haven't used linen, but I have used satin to applique, once. Never again. Didn't hold up to washings at all. Weave was too loose and raveled. Fixed it a million times until I finally trimmed it out and replaced it. (It was the "sun" in my pic.) You could make a practice piece, like, applique a circle, and throw it in the washer to see how it holds up.
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: northern minnesota
Posts: 2,360
I haven't used linen, but I have used satin to applique, once. Never again. Didn't hold up to washings at all. Weave was too loose and raveled. Fixed it a million times until I finally trimmed it out and replaced it. (It was the "sun" in my pic.) You could make a practice piece, like, applique a circle, and throw it in the washer to see how it holds up.
#10
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,415
Linen fibers - like other fibers can be spun to threads of various thicknesses - and woven to various densities.
I have some damask tablecloths than one can barely see light through. And some other very loosely/coarsely woven pieces.
It is notorious for wrinkling.
I have some damask tablecloths than one can barely see light through. And some other very loosely/coarsely woven pieces.
It is notorious for wrinkling.