I have been told by several quilters that white fabric should not be used in a quilt. I can not figure out why this would be so because it is a good blender. I am not talking about a bright white. I am making another Bento Box quilt and some of the fabrics have a little bit of white so I am using white as the light color and it looks fine to me. Does anyone have any answers to this.

I have no idea... maybe because other colors will bleed into them? I used whit red and black on my first quilt and used a color catcher and had no problems so not sure.

Well, if it's a law that you can't use white in a quilt, I'm in BIG trouble!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'd say use the color(s) that you want....

I am prone to off white or a tone on tone. There are alot of shades of white!

Thanks Samantha.

I had not thought about the bleeding from other colors but it makes a lot of sense. I prewash my fabrics before I use them anyway.

I am in trouble too. I have used lots of white on white fabrics in my quilts. I sure hope the quilt police don't come after me.

I do use the colors I like and I am going to use white but I just could not figure out why white should not be used. I pre wash all my fabrics anyway. Maybe these people have had a problem with other colors bleeding into the white.

My philosophy is "NEVER SAY NEVER". I've used white many times in my quilts. No clue as to why someone would give you that advice.
If you think it looks good in your quilt and there's not a valid practical reason to eliminate white, I would use it.

thanks. I found out that sometimes white is the only thing that looks right with what I am using.

The only thing important, is to remember to use white batting instead of the usual off-white when sandwiching the quilt. If you wash fabrics before making the quilt, there shouldn't be a problem with bleeding.

I happen to like bright white! My pinwheel top that I just finished has bright white and I love it. If I ever get it quilted, I'll post a picture.

There is one other thing you should do besides washing your fabrics so they don't run into the white and using white batting. You need to be careful when pressing your blocks that have white in them. Make sure your iron is very clean because sometimes it leaves dark marks on the white especially on the seam lines. May in Jersey

Ditto with sewjoyce. :-D

I was once advised not to use white because it has a more see through effect than other fabrics. But I have used it soooo..
Hugs
April

I use white, especially when doing applique. I have to admit I don't use a lot of white. But definitely if I think it needs white I use white.

Don't we just love the quilt police. LOL

seems like bull to me. There are many quilts that use white and lots of it too. Like for example the first quilt I made was from Quilt in a Day. It required white. Most 2 color quilts are either say blue and white or red and white. I also prewash too. Some of the quilts that I'd love to make require something like 7 yards of white for the background. :D

Ive never heard that you shouldn't use white fabric...the only reason I could think of is because white shows dirt more??? I dunno. I'm doing a Cathedral Windows with white. I hope I'm not breaking a law...lol.

I'm not a ig fan of flat white, but I often use whites that are tone-on-tone or marbles. It's just a little more interesting.

Kristy

Not using white is a new one on me as well. I had never heard it before. I've used it plenty of times as a background color.

Possibly this person doesn't like white. Telling you not to use white is like telling you not to use sugar in your icing. I have and will continue to use white when I want and where it want. Besides, who hired her as quilt police?

You can use what you want to use.

The only remotely realistic reason to avoid white would be because whites (and blacks) are hard to match up. If you put a dozen whites next to each other, there will be subtle differences. That is one of the reasons you need to be careful with home dyeing - plain white and optical whites take dyes differently.

Think of all those Baltimore Album quilts done on white backgrounds. By any chance, did the people who told you this work on commission? Plain fabrics are generally cheaper than high-priced blenders and such.

Lay pieces of the other fabrics on top of a larger piece of true white, then try them on cream to test which looks best to your eye. Then go with your instincts.

One thing I learned about bright white fabric, the one stray bright red thread will find a way to get underneath the white fabric in a very noticeable spot.

Isn't there a law about that?? :lol: :lol: :lol:

I've used white in lots of quilts. I've used white as my light color in log cabins. Only had one person comment that I should have used something different.

I have never heard of this "rule" and have seen many black,white, and red quilts that are strikingly dramatic.

Also, as you can see by my avatar, the quilt I made for my Mom is done on a white on white background fabric, so if there is a "rule" I am the biggest offender LOL.

My personal opinion is to use any and all colors that you like. Quilting is an expressive art and shouldn't be subject to arbitrary rules. Have fun.

Me too!! Hey Joyce, love the new avatar!

Do you think this person had a bad experience and felt the need to "warn" you? It would have been nice had she given a reason.

I have used white, white on white, off-white, cream, linen....

The lighter colors show dirt more, any seams pressed toward the light show more, but that's the only thing I can think of. There is no "ghost of the white fabric" haunting the unsuspecting quilter.

BTW, Peroxide does take blood out of white fabric. I just tested that.

I love colors but sometimes white is the best choice. I use it as needed and love it.

I noticed your new avatar too, Joyce. What a cutie!

I guess I am in trouble, too. I love the fresh look of white. I use it way more than I do off white or creams. I use what I like so I guess that is all that matters!

If/when we can't use white, maybe we'll be allowed to use white-on-white, antique-white, paper-white, pure-white, winter-white, off-white, alabaster-white, cream, eggshell, natural, bone, linen, ivory, snow, ice, birch, porcelain, oyster, pearl, ecru, bisque, sand, shell, oatmeal, mushroom, almond, vanilla . . .oh wait, already did!

Use what you like and enjoy!

I like using the white on whites, they are a little heavier and other fabrics don't show through as much, the same with battings :D:D:D Does this make me a rebel???? LMBO

LOL!! Is your middle name "Johnny Yuma"? Boy, does that ever date me!! :lol: :roll: Maybe we're both Johnny's, but it works for me! :thumbup:

Happy sewing,

;) ;)

I love the off white and use it often as I make a lot of 30' reproduction quilts and it looks great with the 30' fabrics. :roll:

maybe becausew it is a real vibrant color and one should use it sparingly :thumbdown: I WILL USE IT IF i HAVE IT AND WANT TO USE IT :thumbup:

be careful with loose threads that might cling to the batting--they'll show through the white in the quilt blocks. I have used white before--(of course i prewashed the fabrics)--my only problem was a thread that got sandwiched in the quilt--and it is visible behind the white fabric.

I've done that before also -- and why does it ALWAYS have to be a red thread (even if there isn't a speck of red in the quilt)???? :lol:

Sounds like the self appointed quilt police. White fabric has been used in quilts going way back in time.
My personal choice would be plain white over white on white as I have had some of the printing flake off or turn yellow over time. However I still use it sometimes and put the printed side on the inside.