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Member since 1/26/08
Posts: 50
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Posted on: 3/9/08 2:33 PM ET
Hi, do any of you out there use quilting fabrics (cotton broadcloth) to make clothing? I've done it a lot in the past, just because I love some of the prints, but I want to know if I'm the only one! I just can't find such nice colorful prints in normal fashion fabrics. And what is the difference between poplin and quilting fabric? Thanks, blacksquirrel
  
Member since 1/26/08
Posts: 50
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Posted on: 3/9/08 2:36 PM ET
Oh, I forgot to add: what exactly IS the difference between quilting cloth and fashion cotton? Is it permanent press? And what is that, some kind of chemical treatment? Or is it the weave of the cloth? I should know all this, shouldn't I?
  
Member since 3/19/04
Posts: 2557
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Posted on: 3/9/08 2:49 PM ET
Quilting cotton is cotton that's marketed to quilters. It's light weight (shirt weight), 100% cotton, no special permanent press treatments. (Home Dec fabrics, on the other hand, may have been treated.) Many of the prints are designed to work well with quilts - some hide seams well, some look like solids but have (visual) texture, many are primarily one color. The quality of quilting cottons can be higher than fashion fabrics - if you spend 100s of hours on a quilt, you want high quality fabric - and the better brands don't bleed dyes - bleeding can ruin a quilt! But there's plenty of not-as-good, moderately priced quilting cotton out there. If you want the good stuff, try a quilting store.

There's absolutely no reason you can't use quilting cottons for clothing!!!!! I've made lots of shirts from quilting cottons, as well as dresses and nightgowns. And - a lot of quilts.
-- Edited on 3/9/08 2:50 PM --
  
Member since 9/29/05
Posts: 2054
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Posted on: 3/9/08 3:25 PM ET
In reply to blacksquirrel
Very much like Irene, I only use quilting cottons for my son's and husband's shirts.

Reason: They are usually 250 thread count. I like that! They soften right up after washing and are likely to last much longer than cottons that are of a lower thread count.

Buy from quilt shops. It's the best cotton.
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The single most important discovery made by a group of women? The Empty Tomb!

http://www.donnahodgson.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 3/17/05
Posts: 189
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Posted on: 3/9/08 5:25 PM ET
All of the cotton prints that I have bought online,and used to make skirts,have been from the quilting fabrics.I never see 100% cotton prints in the apparel section(besides flannel).
  
Member since 1/26/08
Posts: 50
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Posted on: 3/9/08 6:05 PM ET
Thanks to everyone for your replies. It's good to know I'm not alone in using quilting fabrics. I'd like to use an ombre (quilting) print from eQuilter's for one of my next dress projects, but I thought I should stop using quilting fabrics. Now I can go ahead and buy, buy, buy! -blacksquirrel
  
Member since 4/11/08
Posts: 26
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Posted on: 4/15/08 3:03 PM ET
I'm confused too over cotton. I see panties wiht 100% cotton (from VS) compared to some clothes that I have (also 100% cotton).... but the panties cotton seem to be more stretchy. WHy is this so? Is it the way its knit or whatever? I'm a beginner to materials, sewing etc. Thanks
  
Member since 1/27/08
Posts: 267
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Posted on: 4/15/08 3:08 PM ET
I'm part of a fabric co-op that mostly does quilter's fabric, but I love it for skirts (for example, I'm wearing an Amy Butler skirt today ). I hope to also use it for some cotton dresses this summer. Although I'm a newbie I'm guessing that whenever a pattern envelope calls for soft or laundered cottons, that quilting cotton would work great.
  
Member since 1/20/08
Posts: 1301
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Posted on: 4/15/08 3:17 PM ET
In reply to blacksquirrel
I have. I have made both a wrap dress and a kimono-style top with what would be considered quilting cottons.

I get lots of compliments on them. I was initially nervous about the dress, I thought the pattern was too "busy," but it turned out just fine.

Here are some photos:

Dress

Shirt
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Michelle

http://cheapandpicky.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 8/29/06
Posts: 5755
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Posted on: 4/16/08 11:18 AM ET
In reply to Michelle L
Both fabrics look perfect for each garment...lovely.
  
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