Have you used poly cotton for a quilt?? This is cheap enough but I'm not sure if it's good enough. Thanks for your help. Lyn. xx

After this long - I hope your got the answer for this. *4U

1 comment

by lyns 19 Jul 2012

Yes, it was a bit of a shock to see this come back up But the answers were very interesting & helpful. After all this advice I WON'T be using cheap material. Thanks to everyone. Lyn. xx

just a thought don't use poly thread with cotton fabric when quilting. When you press the seams the poly can melt :( It is very sad.

Good post. I found the answers very interesting.
Hugs Pam.

Thank you for this post. I am not a 'quilter' but I found the answers most informative. Sarah.

I try to keep mine 100% cotton they are so much more comfortable to sleep under. Some do use a poly backing but I have found that very dissapointing and have redone the one I was making.
I have seen some lovely light baby quilts made with polyester though.

yes you can use poly cotton I had to use some in a quilt for my niece in order to get the colors that she wanted. That was about 15 years ago and it still is in use and looking good.

I only use cotton because poly cottons wear in unexpected ways.

I've always used cotton for my quilts. As has already been said, there are different qualities to cotton so use the best quality you can afford. Good luck with your quilt.
Meri

why don't you try and make a small block one with 100% cotton & one with poly/cotton & then wash them a few times it will be easy to see why 100% cotton is always the best choice for a quilt! Good Luck

1 comment

by eyeztodiefor10 18 Jul 2012

great idea!
Meri

It looks like you have plenty of answers so I will leave you with a *

I made an entire quilt out of a poly cotton. It looks great and the colors haven't washed out like cotton. But I'd never do it again. Everyone has already explained why not. Even the most expensive cotton will wear out and get holes. But do try to buy the best cotton that fits your budget. Hold the fabric up to the light. If you can see right through it and you can pretty much see all the threads in it, you best avoid it.

I wouldn't ever mix good quilting cotton & poly cotton, because of the shrinkage when washing. There is good polycotton & cheap one, I wouldn't ever use cheap one, too thin. Also, the poly cotton does fray more, and I would use a bigger seam allowance than the standard 1/4 inch, because it will come apart in stress areas. I guess it would depend on what the quilt was for. I just don't have the money to make charity quilts out of $10/yd fabric. So, I would make some of the kids huggy little quilts out of poly cotton, with bigger seam allowances and close quilting. I'd make doll quilts, or wall hangings, stuff that isn't going to be heavily used out of it. But if I were doing a complicated, heirloom quilt (like that's ever going to happen!) I would definitely use the best 100% cotton, quilt shop quality, because there's cheap 100% cotton, too. I'd just make sure not to mix types and qualities of fabric. My friend's Mom used to make winter quilts out of cut-up wool coats, and she also made ones out of all poly knits. Hope this helps, hugs, Marji

I have. There are different qualities of fabric, don't use anything that is thin, it will just be a nightmare. Since poly cotton stretches you have to be a careful and frays . I love gingham and hard to find in cotton so I used poly cotton with cotton, I starched it well and had no problem. If you are making a quilt to become a family heirloom, then I would not.

I would not recommend it. I used poly cotton for 1 part of a block and I can tell. It is not recommended for machine embroidery either because of the stretch. As for poly core thread, Coats (JP coats or coats and clark) developed the poly core thread - there all purpose is what I started ME with. works fine. I have 2 large spools of rasant and it seems like nice thread. I use it for bobbin thread. Live Laugh Download Stitch!

Here is the link for anyone who wishes to know more about Rasant thread by Amann Group.

Lyns, I just purchased a Poly cotton thread because the Quilting Expert at the shop said this particular thread was made differently to others as the polyester was the core, inside the cotton. She recommended it and said it was the only thread she used.
Now everyone knows I'm no quilter, so can be easily swayed if someone with more experience tells me something, but this DID sound good because my embroidery bobbin thread is made in this manner and it is awesome to use.

The thread she recommended is 'Rasant 120 Amann'.
I don't know if this is available everywhere but it is a very nice thread, without all the pilling bits of fluff of normal sewing thread.

She DID say NOT to iron it.
hugs n roses, Meganne

I have to agree with Joyce, if you are going to do all the work to make a quilt rather use a good quality sheeting, poly cotton does not wear well with lots of use :)

I used polycotton on my first quilt before I knew better . It is going into holes and the double binding around the edge split after a few washes. It may be cheaper but I dont think it is worth all the work you put into a quilt. Hugs Joyce