Polyester & Knit?????

[kristilynette]

I am needing some advice. I am in the process of making a quilt out of my mom's old clothes. Tonight I was cutting strips out of her Polyester pants and they REALLY ravelled a lot. I made several four patches but don't want to continue if it is not going to work. Has anyone tried this? Am I fighting a loosing battle? Thanks in advance for your help. Kristi

[quilterbee]

Press lightweight fusible interfacing to the back and it will be fine as long as you don't have a bunch of intersections coming together. I did a stitch-n-flip(2) out of my cousin's clothes when she was killed. Both quilts turned out great! Amie

Press to the back of your fabric BEFORE you cut

[sewcarolyn]

if it still frays you can also use fray check on the seams after trimming

[MAWmum]

wow I would have never thought polyester would fray remember the polyester quilts of the 70's. Scary!

[kristilynette]

Thanks for the input. I'm not sure "frayed" is the right term. It kind of came apart in long pieces along the edge. I have a quilt my husbands grandmother made out of old dresses that were knit and it lays flat (probably because it is already quilted). I couldn't press/iron the 4 patches flat. Maybe the pants I'm using are thicker than the dresses were. I'm also using some blouses that are flimsy materials. I've made one "16 Patch" already using the blouses and cotton but this was my first attempt with the pants. I am one of 5 siblings and I thought a quilt for each of us would be a wonderful keepsake from my mom. We lost her last April. I won't have enough material if I don't use the pants so I may have to force it to work! Anyway, any other input would be appreciated. Thanks a bunch. Kristi

[gmaann]

Kristi - Polyester KNITS should not ravel or fray. With the others, you could zig-zag or serge the edges. I understand you wanting to use all the fabric you can from your Mom's clothing, so try all these tips!

My sympathy for your loss - I know it still hurts almost a year later! I'm not sure we EVER get over losing our Moms!!

[1quiltinnana]

My mom has a quilt top made of knits...it is so neat. It is soft, durable and in beautiful bright colors. I may try and finish it for her ....also, My mother in law had a double knit made quilt and it was really warm, and nice. Neither one raveled.....

[kristilynette]

Thank you gmaann for your kind words. It is indeed very hard to give up a wonderful mother. She was just 72 and it was very sudden. Not a day, or sometimes, not even an hour of the day goes by without me thinking of her.

Thanks to to quilterbee, sewcarolyn, mawmum & 1quiltinnanna for your words of advice & help. I really appreciate this forum so newbies can ask questions & get EXPERT help :>) Thanks again, I'm going to sew again tomorrow. Kristi

[HeyGirl]

My daughter has a rug made of polyester scraps.
The rugs are soft and will last.