Just reading the "quilt bummer" thread and everyone's advice to rip out pieces which seem to be thinner than the rest- predictions of the quilt falling apart, etc.

I too am working on a quilt which has different thicknesses of fabric (it's pretty scrappy). Most of them are good fabrics but I do have some pieces that have a lower thread count. I was assuming that, once it was quilted, it would all work out. It is not sashing or anything, so it is not as if the whole structure of the quilt is relying on this one fabric. (It is 24 little setting diamonds around one hexagonal block.)

Now I read all those other posts predicting how the quilt will fall to bits. I know I am a bit of a princess with my fabrics so I am just thinking- I KNOW that some people make entire quilts out of lower thread count fabrics (I did buy it as quilting fabric, but in a cheaper store). So are their quilts all falling apart? What is the story?

I am just confused. And also scared because it would be a very tricky ripping job. And even more scared because I don't want it to fall apart.

if you're not planning for it to be an heirloom I wouldn't worry about it, even cheap fabric usually lasts many years

I agree with Kathy :D:D:D

Unless you want "museum quality" when quilts are used--they eventually fall apart...don't worry...it is a work of love.

OK, feeling a little calmer after those comments- thank you!

I used fabric from my Mother's clothes to make 5 lap quilts after she passed. Mine is holding up OK, and some of the fabrics were quite thin. A couple I backed with some light weight fusible stabilizer (especially the knit). Most felt like cotton, but I did not check them with the burn test.

No worries. Like most have said. If you plan to use it and not keep it for a heirloom then no problem. Remember, you can also patch it in 5 years if you need to. But for now enjoy the quilt. :-)

i have made quilts from some pretty yukky, cheap fabric that have held up to being dragged around, traveling in the car, and out in the yard for picnics...they have held up through lots of washes and after a few years they wear out...as it should be...if it is used it will wear out. if you are making *utility quilts* to be used and abused don't worry about the inexpensive fabrics they will last as long as the quilt lasts...who really wants to make a quilt for a child to have picnics on and play on out of $10 a yard fabric? better to use the less expensive fabric and let them have fun. i get upset with the parents in our world who take their kids quilts away from them and say--"oh-it's too nice to let her use it"...really it's so good it should live in a box???
i seriously do not get it!

Totally agree with this. I have a quilt from the 1930's that some of the fabric is really thin, but here it is 80 years later, and it doesn't look bad. Our fabric quality is better now, even if it's thin.

i think most of my quilts will last longer than i will

I also agree - yes yes yes! ;) People get really hung up on buying great fabric, and of course that helps your quilt last longer. But just think of all the quilts made from feedsacks and scraps that are still intact today. I think you'll be just fine. As others have said, any quilt is going to wear with use, and even quilts made of the finest materials will fall apart after they've been washed a hundred times.

My quilts to this point have been "utility" quilts - quilts to be used and washed and used some more. I have used a variety of fabrics, including wal-mart fabrics, recycled clothing, rayons, poly-blends, and quilt shop cottons.

I have had ONE fabric give up the ghost on me in a quilt, after only 3 or 4 washes, it just got thin, frayed, and came apart. I used it in two quilts, and had to patch both. The fabric didn't seem thinner than usual, it was brand new, 100% cotton, but the quality was off somehow (it was a very dark blue and I wonder if the dye had something to do with it), and it didn't hold up. I believe it originally came from wal-mart but wouldn't swear to it, as it was a large chunk given to me in a bag of scraps.

I used a poly blend that appeared a little thin, but it is holding up fine (in the same quilt).

I bought a fat quarter bundle of Moda fabric with an extraordinary difference in weight of fabrics which surprised me because it was all one line. SOme where heavier and others were like voile. Quilt turned out okay though.

Oh, and because of that experience, if I have any doubts about a fabric now, I will make a potholder sized quilt sandwich and run it through the wash a few times to see if it holds up, before I put it in a quilt. One of those quilts was a gift and I was devastated to find that it had fallen apart in such a short time.

Hugs noveltyjunkie, don't stress ... I believe the quilt will last a long time and as others were saying, the love and use of the quilt is mostly why we quilt. Eventually all quilts will fray and get small tears in them.