mom-6

I've used all weights and fiber contents and have found that any and all of them will work. Some (especially the slippery ones like satin) require a bit more care in cutting and being sure your seams are wide enough not to fray. Others just 'feel' better and are easier to work with. Some wrinkle badly when prewashing, others do not. And it isn't necessarily a sign of the quality of the fabric how much or little it wrinkles.

Just keep having fun playing with the fabric and you will determine what works best for you.

gollytwo

I use poly-cotton with 100% cotton in the same quilt if it has the look I want
Go by feel; if it feels okay buy it - good price to pass up.

C.Cal Quilt Girl

5 for 5.00 is a great price and 2 colors will be enough to make a top and then some !!! That way your not out much, if things don't work well.....I encourage everyone to give Quilting a try, no way were my first ones great, finished and well used yep !!! Can make seams larger than 1/4 may be easier to see consistant size seams that way, and use a simple pattern. Best of Luck, Welcome from Central California :)

P.S... don't press on high may melt the fabric, I was reminded of this not long ago... but tops done & quilted just need the binding :) :oops:

Bubblegum0077

Hi and welcome to the wonderful world of quilting!

You will soon discover that your choice of fabric is as unlimited as you want it to be. Between online shops, local quilt shops and JoAnns the selection is endless. I have been told by professional quilters to use ONLY 100% COTTON FABRIC. Many long arm quilters will not use anything else. However, there are pros and cons to using anything other than 100% cotton. Seams are difficult to stay put and the fabric seems to ravel causing issues with sizing once you cut the pieces. Try different fabrics to see what you prefer. A wall hanging that is made up of blends may be dry cleaned rather than thrown in the washer.

WalMart has 100% cotton fabric of different weights so stay away from the really thin - see-thru kind because it will not hold up during washing or sewing. You can actually feel how thin some of it is and with all the hard work and long hours you will put into your masterpiece you want it to hold up.

The best places are the quilt shops. Their advice and experience is as valuable as the fabric they sell. When I took my quilting class at my local quilt shop, the staff helped me find the perfect palate for my blocks. I was happy with the selection and didn't have to drive to Timbuctoo for it. A little on the pricey side, but it balanced out saving on gas.

Whats even more fun is making a quilt with different style blocks in different colors. This will give you an idea of color, style and difficulty levels to work out.

Good luck and Happy Quilting

littlehud

I find them hard to work with. But if you want to try them you may like them.

gale

I'm a fabric snob. Not only do I only use 100% cotton but I only use brand name fabric. Probably why I have a big credit card bill. Now to get some of that expensive fabric sewn up into quilts...

ksea

I have found that the $1.00 a yard fabric at Walmart is just not reliable fabric. Even if you are just starting out and practicing try to buy good 100% cotton fabric it makes a real difference and you won't get frustrated. That being said I have made "sensory quilts" for the neonatal unit that my son spent the first 3 months of his life in and they have every kind of fabric imaginable in them, the more the better the doctors say, and they get alot of use in the unit and have to be washed and sterilized often.

moonrise

I use all 100% cotton, but I watch for sales on quilt shop quality fabrics and stock up when I find really good deals. :mrgreen:

EagarBeez

I use 100% cotton as well. I am also fairly new, a couple years now. Welcome from the mtns of Arizona

QBeth

Welcome to the quilting world and to this Board!