Hi Friends,
I have bought a "batch" of fabric from a lady who is moving. I'm not real happy with it now as most of the fabric is not a good quality cotton. Much of it is in large pieces and is a rough (cotton?) fabric. I can't see making a quilt out of this rough fabric. Any more suggestions? I've thought about baked potato bags, but am open to any suggestions.
Thanks,
JoAnn

How about a rug?

http://www.ragrugcafe.com/toothbrush...rs#comment-566

I use the rough stuff as foundation for string quilts. Or dish towels. Good luck.

Sometimes rough cheap fabric just doesn't work no matter if it was given to you or you purchased it before you realized what it was really like. I recently went through all of my bins and anything that felt or looked rough, cheap or sleezy was piled, bagged and taken to the Mennonite Relief Centre who seem to be able to find a need or use for almost anything. That fabric just wasn't worth my time or energy and I didn't want to agonize about "wasting" it either. It was just a bad decision that needed to leave my fabric collection.

Are you sure it is not feed sack fabric? Post a picture so people can see what the fabric looks like and maybe there will be some more suggestions.

Have you tried washing it several times? Sometimes fabric improves after a couple washes...and sometimes it doesn't.

Is it at least pretty? Could you make tote bags? or grocery bags?

You could make charity quilt wall hangings they wouldn’t be washed as much and would last longer. Rug mugs, place mats, coasters. When you say rough do you mean not soft –This may sound like a dumb question but I’ve never felt ‘un-soft’ fabric before. If they are soft enough you could make dog and cat beds for local animal rescue groups (check with them first.)

Alzheimer patient lap tops made from different fabric (simple squares would work.) This can have a calming effect for them. They like to touch different textured fabrics (example, soft cotton with buttons or zippers, corduroy, denim, etc.) You could make small lap quilts that would keep them occupied for hours. Any local assisted living facility that has a dementia unit would appreciate these (check with them first.)

good idea !

You could use the stuff that isnt so soft for the backs of pet beds, maybe use something cuddly and warm for the top, botton wouldnt matter. Tote bags and purses?

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I've thought about baked potato bags, butI am not even sure it is all cotton. How do I tell if something is cotton or a blend? Maybe grocery bags.........or tote bags with much "decoration". Still open for suggestions.....
Jo Ann

You can test fiber content by doing a burn test. Have a bowl of water readily available, I do it over my kitchen sink. I take a piece of the suspect fabric and hold a flame to it. If it melts it is a man made fiber or contains some like a poly or poly blend. If it ashes it is a natural fiber like cotton or silk.

Thank you so much. I'm off to test my fabrics with your test method.
Jo Ann

I like the grocery bag suggestion! Doesn't matter if it's tough!

that was my thought as well - original feed sacks wear like iron.. and pretty expensive too..

I use low quality fabric for foundation piecing or testing out embroidery designs etc.

Yes, this was my thought.... since it is rough, it sounds like it might be of heavier weight and great for tote/grocery bags
Can you post a pic? ;-)

I was just wondering and please don't laugh...but was wondering if soaking it in fabric softner would help in any way? Maybe it's just a far out idea but it might possibly help. ;)

That is a great idea. I'm still pondering things to make that softness would not matter......like grocery bags or tote bags. I"m loving all the ideas.
Jo Ann