Mixing of fabrics question
 

My daughter has asked me to make her boyfriend a quilt for Christmas. Not a big deal and I am happy to do it as her dad and I really like this young man. I found an easy pattern and got the needed fabric. The fabric I purchased is River Journey by Holly Taylor for Moda fabrics. While browsing I also came across Woolies Flannel Colors by Bonnie Sullivan for Maywood Studio. I thought it would be neat to mix cottons with flannels and took a chance that the colors in each would look good together as I was ordering online. The fabrics came and they match beautifully!!!! Now I am questioning if I should mix fabrics on the quilt top or just pick one of them and go with it. The pattern I will be using is Wild Windows Quilt off of Modabakeshop.com.

Any input is welcomed!!!!!

Thank you so much in advance.

Kelly

First of all, your dog is precious!! :)
That's a pretty pattern. I don't see why you couldn't but I have never done it. Maybe someone else will know.

I would pre-wash as the flannels might shrink a bit more than the regular cotton. But other than that, I can't see any reason why you couldn't use them together.

Rob

I would soak all the fabrics in hot water (separate the colors) for a couple of hours and see if there is any bleeding.

If the water is clear, then I would gently wash the fabrics and dry them to minimize shrinkage and bleeding issues.

I've mixed them before with no problem. Like stated earlier, flannels do tend to shrink more. Wash, then starch before cutting and sewing.

I've mixed them too and was happy with the result. I wash all my fabrics in hot water to maximize the shrinkage before using them. Flannels sometimes bleed more than quilting cottons, so watch out for that too. Some flannels may need a second wash to be sure they're done shrinking and bleeding. Show us the quilt when you're done!

I agree. Pre-wash the flannels before using. Otherwise, there should be no problem. It will look great.

ditto ... I would hot wash and hot dry both fabrics.
The flannelettes, I would hot wash and hot dry at least two times, and maybe a third.
Most times they shrink more-so than regular cotton fabrics, and thus hot wash/dry to try to deal with that.

Be sure to toss in some Colour Catchers to catch any dyes released from both.
If they are stained ... treat with retayne!


No reason to me as to why you can't combine the two types of fabric, if that is what you want to do.

As for whom is making this quilt ..... while I am sure that DBF will appreciate and love this quilt, wouldn't he love it even more if made by your DD? :) A good mother-daughter project!

I think daughter would also appreciate this quilt more if she had to contribute money and effort into it, too!

I've mixed flannel with cottons with no problems at all. Like others have said....wash the flannel before using it as it does shrink up more than the quilting cottons.

I never wash any fabrics in hot water.

I wash in cold water and dry on regular setting. Nothing has ever shrunk.

I have mixed cottons and flannels without any problems. I do prewash flannel but never in hot water or multiple times. I wash fabric and quilts in warm water, dry in the dryer. Shockingly, I have mixed washed flannel with unwashed cotton without problems, too. Sounds like a fun project you have in mind!

Washing in warm water and drying thoroughly just once should be enough. You can mix whatever you want.

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I think you need to be very cautious if you do this. My Granny made me this quilt of mixed fabrics and I'm having some problems with it. And it's less than 50 years old! (though I must confess many of the fabrics are probably much older) Tongue is very firmly planted in cheek - prewash as many here have advised and make the young man a 50-year quilt.
I can't wait to see it finished!

What The Robster said. :)

Your Maywood flannel is going to shrink very very little when washed in cold water. I actually did a test on 3 0r 4 LQS brands.1% and 2 % for them all. I've heard the box stores are thinner and do shrink considerably more.

I've mixed cottons and flannels with no problem. I wash before as sometimes flannel will shrink some.

Think about crazy quilts - they use a bit of everything! But, while I am not one who believes in prewashing, I would prewash these because they may shrink and at different amounts.

I've often mixed flannels with regular cottons, they come out beautifully. I love the Woolies line of flannels They don't shrink much- I've never had one pill. They are ( good quality, fairly tightly woven) great flannels. I n prewash over & over again my flannels. Especially the good thick ones. I prewash once in warm water, short cycle, toss into the dryer on a regular cycle then remove them before they are over dried. They are so ( Huggable) coming out of the dryer!

Thank you so much for all the input. I did end up washing the flannels as was surprised at how little they shrank.

As to whom is making the quilt. We will be working on it together but our DD is a freshman in college three hours away. She will be coming home some weekends to help with it.

flannels also fray more easily so the seam allowance should be larger than for the non-flannel.