marge954

I've used 100% cotton on my quilts (with a flannel backing) for all my projects. I now have a pattern that I'm using Hawaiian fabrics. I needed a few more so I hit the thrift stores to look for men's cotton shirts and found a couple. One I really liked says it is 60% cotton & 40% rayon. I don't know much about other fabrics so I'm wondering if I can use this shirt with no problems. Can you guys help me out?

Barb in Louisiana

You can use it but you have to use a much cooler iron. Rayon, being a synthetic, could melt. Google it to make sure.

PaperPrincess

Rayon can be tricky. It can't take high heat of ironing or a high heat dryer. Having said that, a cotton/rayon blend probably should be OK. Rayon is considered a natural fiber as it is produced from cellulose (trees). I would launder the shirt the way you are planning on washing the completed quilt. I would then iron before cutting it up to see how that goes. Then make a final decision. I love using recycled shirts. i try and get all cotton, but if there's something that I really, really like, I'll get a blend.

bernamom

I would just add a fusible interfacing to the back. I have used Under Armor in quilts with no problem. As the others have said, watch the heat when Ironing.

suern3

If the care labels are still intact, you could check them to see the recommendations for washing and ironing. As others have said, rayon can be tricky.

marge954

Thanks to everyone. The shirt is a men's XL so I think I'll use it as a smock when I cook instead of putting it in a quilt. The quilt is to be a gift to someone else so I don't think I'll take the chance.