Gifted fabric - need advice and opinions
 

I was recently gifted two large bags of fabric by a very nice lady in my neighborhood. When I got the fabrics home and was sorting through them, I discovered that 50 percent of them were polyester blends, the rest are cotton sheets, curtains, etc. I was able to pull out some cotton solids and prints. My first inclination was to get rid of the fabrics, but it is so hard to do! Has anyone used cotton sheets or blends to make quilts? I am thinking I might use some to make charity quilts. Opinion?

Sure we have! Many people use sheets for backings and sometimes for backgrounds in tops, cotton/ poly blends are used and liked by many. The one thing about the poly blends, they do not fade, or shrink like cottons. And don't make good raggy quilts. They are great for kids quilts since they take a lot of abuse and frequent laundering. A great choice for ( drag everywhere, play quilts!)

Quilters are known for ( making do) using all kinds of different fabrics, fibers and creating something wonderful with what they find. It all has a use. Appliques, totes/ purses, picnic quilts, table runners, placemats, clothing projects. You can find a use for every fabric as long as you do not close your mind and convince yourself only one thing is OK. Open your mind and enjoy the journey of finding uses for what you've been gifted. :)

There's been a lot of quilts made over the years with poly blends and sheets. I'm not sure about the curtains. If it's heavy material, tote bags maybe?
Rodney

I have used some poly blends in a few quilts and have used cotton sheets as backings lots of times, all with great results. Go for it! The charity quilt recipients won't care, and will be so glad to get a quilt to stay warm!!

I use sheets for blocks and backs all the time, never had a problem with using them.

I use sheets and poly blend fabrics all the time. Our grandparents used whatever was available and some of those quilts are still going strong. I know because I have one that is going on 60 years old. it is a little ragged at the edges but otherwise very good.

Heavy fabrics make wonderful tote bags for carrying groceries. Make pillow covers for the house or porch, pillow cases, doll clothes, doll quilts. I was gifted a lot of that kind of fabric too. It is useful.

I am sorry, but Harriet Hargrave taught me to use the best fabrics and batting you can afford. Charity quilts should be made out of the same fabric that you would make for yourself. Just my opinion.

Poly is really durable and makes good quilts for the homeless as it can withstand a lot more abuse than regular quilting cotton can.

If you like to make wall hangings, pretty much ANY fabric is fair game for those, assuming you're not going to be washing it. Some heavier fabrics have great textures and can really add a lot of interest.

Tote bags is another great idea. Around here they've banned plastic disposable bags and require retailers charge a dime for paper bags, so handmade tote bags have become popular. The more unique, the better! Fabrics too light for a quilt or a tote could be made into drawstring bags for produce too.

I use old sheets as foundation for crazy quilts. Makes the quilt a bit heavier but works great!