What about muslin?
12-13-2011, 03:43 PM
#12
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 2,411
I freq use ugly fabric ( and even more freq, I use the wrong side of the fabric for a more consistant color in case anything light is used on top and a color might show thru..... most of my quilts of this nature have a white backing...) or cotton fabric that is too light weight for a good quilt. Preshrink and away I go!!!
I also keep an eye out for sheets in good condition ( even if they maybe faded, as long as they are not pilling) to use for foundations....(ur long arm quilter may not approve of the use of sheets.... just something to think about!!)
I also keep an eye out for sheets in good condition ( even if they maybe faded, as long as they are not pilling) to use for foundations....(ur long arm quilter may not approve of the use of sheets.... just something to think about!!)
Last edited by bluteddi; 12-13-2011 at 03:45 PM.
12-13-2011, 04:57 PM
#13
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,351
Bonnie Hunter from Quiltville uses pages from old telephone books for string piecing on. Our small town phone book wouldn't provide many pages, but I did get a thick one from our daughter that I intend to use in the future. That paper is supposed to tear away easily--if not, she suggests running a damp q-tip over the line of stitching to help the paper "dissolve". Recycling at it's best!
If you're not familiar with Bonnie Hunter, check her out at www.quiltville.com.
If you're not familiar with Bonnie Hunter, check her out at www.quiltville.com.
12-13-2011, 07:15 PM
#15
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Michigan. . .FINALLY!!!!
Posts: 6,726
Originally Posted by MadQuilter
I thought with foundation piecing you sew to a fabric backing? Using paper means to tear the backing. Did I misunderstand something?
12-13-2011, 08:12 PM
#16
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: West Texas
Posts: 2,073
My mom gets bed sheets donated to her from a motel for her charity quilting. They are always white. She cuts the worn sections into 8" and 10" squares for me to use for foundation. I always have a big pile of squares ready for me when I start a project.
12-13-2011, 08:22 PM
#17
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Manhattan, Kansas
Posts: 2,160
Originally Posted by Candace
Only if the fabric is light with little patterning. If you have pieces of your quilt top sewed down to it, the fabric could show through any lighter quilt top fabric. Does that make sense? That's why most folks use muslin or white fabric as the base. Now, if you're using dark fabrics only on top it wouldn't matter as much. Though it would be safest to pick out your top fabrics and place them over your 'what was I thinking' fabric to see if it shows through.
And another possibility would be to use the "back side" of the fabric to sew your strips on--the reverse side is nearly al
12-13-2011, 08:31 PM
#19
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Knot Merrill, Southern Indiana
Posts: 5,781
I'm missing something here. Why is fabric (muslin or otherwise) used instead of paper that can be torn away? Do you print the pattern on the fabric like you would with paper? If so, how? Do you cut the fabric away after piecing?
I'm confused.
I'm confused.
12-13-2011, 09:13 PM
#20
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
Originally Posted by Candace
I'm one of those that would never use dryer sheets because of the inherent perfumes, chemicals, etc. doesn't matter if they've been used, I'm not comfortable handing that issue off to anyone in a finished quilt. Not with the allergies and sensitivities, asthma etc. that are common today. You can get fairly inexpensive muslin anywhere. It doesn't have to be high grade because it's being used as a foundation base.
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