Jshep

Greaterexp- I too have wondered about that. I have always pressed mine to one side, but recently started pressing them open. Like Iceblossom, it seems they go together better and lay flatter. I suppose too it would depend on how you quilt them. Maybe not in the ditch?

illinois

I'm not sure I quite understand the issue here but my comment is to open seams and stitch in the ditch. If you are sewing in an open seam, surely the needle is bound to hit those threads. Hence, the chance of breaking the thread in the seam. If I chose to press open, I would not do stitch in the ditch quilting for that reason. Don't be afraid to press seams open--remember when we were doing garment construction and we pressed the crotch seam open. Those didn't seem to break but then we weren't sewing over that seam either! Only with time and stress did those seams pop open.
I have to comment about cotton vs polyester fabrics. Some quilters are so particular about all cotton fabrics, being "pure", but then machine stitch the finished product. I do like the sheen and the durability of cotton/poly blends and they tend to not fade like 100% cotton. Like you have experienced, cotton wears.
As with all crafting, do what you like. You are really the only one who is enjoying the process.

Tartan

Nothing lasts forever and do what works for you. I made all my nieces and nephews dragger quilts when they were kids in poly/cotton blends. They still have them and when my nephew moved into his own home, he brought his blankie.

FoggyButFocused

Sew interesting! I used some blue fabric I bought In 1980 in two quilts. For some reason, that blue fabric broke down and disintegrated in both quilts -- it was only the blue. I am sure it was 100% cotton. I think it was the dye because I didn't have a problem with any of the other fabrics, all bought at the same time and place.

I think sometimes the production process go awry and there is no way of telling which is good and which is bad.

But, in your case, I am happy the quilts have brought so much happiness to your family.

toverly

I'm always reminded of what an older quilter told me when I just started. She said, "Quilts were never meant to go in the washing machine." Heritage quilts usually were beat on a line to remove dust. I think about it everytime, I get age problems to quilts. But then, I make them to be used, that is to be expected.

lwbuchholz

I prefer the open seams. I have a long arm and when you are quilting you have spots where the seams are that have 3 thicknesses and they stitch different. I won't quilt for others because I don't know how they do their seams. I have a friend who not only presses to one side but she lines each block so there are a lot of layers to sew through. For me it causes frustrating problems. I think the only problem with open seams is if you quilt in the seam you could break the threads. I prefer open seams and do my quilts that way unless it needs to be pressed to one side. Good to know yours went through a lifetime of use and is still going strong.

juliasb

I have a stack of quilts I made 30+ years ago sitting in our back bedroom. They have been returned to me for repair. Many of them have the problem of not being quilted close enough together. There are several I can repair and a few that I can't. I may be able to take a couple apart and re-do the quilts that way. I will pull them out from time to time to think about starting to work on them then I see the problem and that stops me. I even bought a new seam ripper to do the job so I have a nice and sharp seam ripper waiting for me. Then I am just not in the mood to try. I have been looking at these for 3 years now.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story and this very strong quilt.