I found a bag of scrap fabric at a thrift shop to practice on. Two questions.
How can you tell if it's 100% cotton or a blend?
Can you combine the two?
You all are the best. I read on here to safety pin my fabric before I wash it. Yes! What a great idea.
Thank you in advance.

Well, you can google "burn test for fabric content" and several hits will come up. you have to be really really careful and do this over the sink. I usually run an inch or 2 of water into the sink and use tongs to hold the fabric.

Having said that, if you are just going to practice, I wouldn't worry about the content. If the fabric weight is similar, go ahead and mix them.

About the safety pins that was Me! so thank you right back :D

Jane, that baby is tooooo cute!!!!!!!!! :D:D

Safety pin the fabric??? I am not a prewasher, so I am curious about this.

About the safety pins that was Me! so thank you right back :D[/quote]

Safety pin the fabric??? I am not a prewasher, so I am curious about this.[/quote]

Me too! Share

Pre-washing is a great idea...that way you will see how your non-cottons behave and if there is a problem with colours running. If the weights are similar, there is no problem combining, though some non-cottons are slippery and a little more difficult to stitch. The important thing is to get started and you will learn as you go. Don't be discouraged and if you get stuck....ask away. You will always find a solution here. Happy quilting.

fI just did a quilt with 100% cotton and cotton/poly blends. Some blends may ravel a bit more, .

great hints

Why thank you! He's our second grandson. I'll change my picture soon to show off the other one. We think they're both adorable but we are admittedly biased.

Safety pin the fabric??? I am not a prewasher, so I am curious about this.[/quote]

Me too! Share[/quote]

Before you wash the fabric, fold it and pin it with safety pins several places. You don't get a tangled mess when you get it out of the machine. It really works!

Me too! Share[/quote]

Before you wash the fabric, fold it and pin it with safety pins several places. You don't get a tangled mess when you get it out of the machine. It really works![/quote]

Well I'll be danged! Thanks Pinkrose...I'm gonna try it! Thanks to you too Jane for passing it along to us!

:-P

Me too! Share[/quote]

Before you wash the fabric, fold it and pin it with safety pins several places. You don't get a tangled mess when you get it out of the machine. It really works![/quote]

I cant wait to try this.

Before you wash the fabric, fold it and pin it with safety pins several places. You don't get a tangled mess when you get it out of the machine. It really works![/quote]

I cant wait to try this.[/quote]

Hey you All! I gave that Hint for Pinning Fabric before you wash it!
If I had known 'It' was going to take Off like this I would have Marketed some 'Washer Pins' :lol: move over Bill Gates here I come :!: Lori K. icon17

This safety pin tip is really good! Thank you. (You could probably sell "washer pins" you know. :)

You can burn a tiny piece of the fabric. Cotton will leave a fine ash that will blow away, a blend will melt and leave heavy ash or a blob.