I bought four boxes of fabric and patterns at a garage sale last weekend for $12. There is about 30 patterns (some quilt, craft and a lot of clothing) that are current and never used. Plus a ton of fabric. Some of the fabric is fat quarters, some is cut into 6.5 inch squares, some is poly blend, some fleece some ????

The big question is "how is poly blend to use in quilting"? or should I just give it away.

Even without the poly-blend, I still think I got a great deal.

Well, if it were me, and I wanted to make a scrap quilt for myself, just for fun, I would use it. I know it wouldn't turn into an heirloom, but for me, personally, that would be fine.

I come from a long line of quilter's and if we liked the fabric, we used it. I have several quilts my Mother made over 30 yrs. ago of polly blend. I don't have a problem with it.

I'd give it away or find another use. I don't like polyester in my quilts at all. I don't like the feel and it doesn't look or feel as nice as cotton, IMO.

It's fine to use poly blend for a quilt, but I would advise not mixing poly blends with cotton in the same quilt. This is because cotton fades over time, with exposure to light, while cotton poly blends do not. Years down the line the quilt can look quite "spotty" with brilliant colors in some pieces and faded colors in others.

Poly blend is a little more difficult to work with than cotton. It frays more easily and is more slippery (harder to make seams meet exactly). You might want to choose a pattern that does not have a lot of exacting seam matching. Depending on how much it frays, you also might want to make your seam allowances 3/8" or even 1/2".

I agree - Don't mix with cotton.
No reason you can't make anything you want to.

great info.

I have used the poly blend in quilts. I don't mix it with the 100% cotton. It wears like iron and the colors do not fade.

Good info!

Another reason not to mix the two is that cotton can withsstand higher ironing temperature. Poly-cotton may shrink or ''shrivel'' when touched by a hot iron - guess how I know!?!?. yep, been there, done\ that.

I used polyblend for years. They make good quilts and the colors don't fade.

I have made a lot of quilts with poly cotton. They have lasted a long time.

The only thing I have found when using the poly blend is you need to really starch it good before cutting, otherwise, it wants to stretch a bit when sewing. I prefer 100% cotton, but I have on occassion, use the poly blend.

I separate any poly-blends out. They make great quilts, especially strippy/foundation pieced scrappies.

poly blends hold up well- wash and dry well- and last=
great for *utility quilts*
as in the ones that get used all the time- in the car- out for picnics- the kids making forts-

i would use it up-
if you don't want the quilts they are good ones to pass on to the women's resource center- local shelters- fire department-
to be given to families- kids when they've lost everything else.

My first quilt was made with poly-blend cause I did not know anything about quilting. I then hand quilted it and it is still being used. Holds up like iron. however mine did fade on one side where the afternoon sun came thru the window. Other than that it has held up well.

Polyester/cotton blends are great if used all together for utility quilts. They don't fade, wash really well and don't wrinkle. I just don't mix them with cotton or use them for applique. The polyester does not needle turn under and they fray more.

I like poly blend too. But when I do charity sewing, a lot of times they request 100% cotton only because the poly is a synthetic and can irritate the skin of the recipient. Otherwise, I use it freely in my quilting projects.

You all are so helpful. Such great information.