If you prewash (shrink) your cotton fabrics you can mix them with blends. Mom and Grandma did that a lot.

I use pillow shams to make bathroom rugs. Put a little batting inside and FMQ them. Gets me practice and a nice bathroom rug.

I won't tell anyone but thank you for this great idea. I see lots of old mattress pads at thrift stores. Will be more aware now. Thanks for sharing your tip.......:thumbup:

That is a great idea. Reuse and repurpose is my motto these days. Thanks for sharing this great tip.:thumbup:

I love blends and wish there were more prints readily available. When I first started quilting, cotton/polyester was wht I used and those quilts are still as bright as they were when they were new! froggyintexas

Sure hope the quilt police are taking the day off because:

I have bought bed skirts from the thrift store. The 'ruffle' can be used for many different things that aren't for competition (pin cushions, quilt pieces, doll clothes, mug rugs, work caddies, etc.). If the part that goes on the bed springs is of cotton, there is a lot of material there to be used in some way with material from my stash. They are usually between $1.00 and $3.00.

I use old sheets for support on strip quilts. It doesn't matter if it is cotton. You are going to finish it like any other quilt with top, batting and back. Much cheaper than using muslim.

thanks for all the ideas for using all that excess stuff!!! I agree that you can learn soooooo much on this board.

My daughters baby quilt is made from polyester scraps and it was made by her paternal grandmother. It has been loved for 37 years and it's cute, too.