Another MIL Sue's quilt question...

[6KidsNMoreQuilts]

Ok, so I was at JoAnn's buying fabric for this MIL Sun-Sue quilt on Sunday and saw my friend there. She quilts with only high quality stuff and saw how thin the muslin was on the sue's that I had with me...she reccomended getting a thin fusable interfacing to line the backs with, what do you think about that? It is awfly thin and old-ish, not sure how old.

2nd question...if I take the time (and money) to do that, should I also invest in a higher quality cotton for the sashings? I purchased 100% broadcloth(I think) there at JoAnns, $2.99 per yard. She's the first person that's told me flat out that I really need to buy good quality fabric, but it's so much more (usually) at least in this case I'd be re-buying maybe 3 yeards for sashings...again, what do you think?

Thanks again, Anna

[Quilter7]

You have presented very tough questions! I think the broadcloth may be poly/cotton blend though. You probably need to check carefully. Anna, we all only have so much money in our wallets to spend on fabric so I think this is very personal. Is your MIL willing to help purchase the fabric if you are unable to purchase? Would you be able to use the fabric already purchased on another project?

My DH's Mother made a quilt top that we now have and the background is muslin that is very thin and has yellowed. The idea of putting a fusible on it sounds very good to me. I have not known what to do with it so decided to wait until I know more.

[sunsup]

I fully agree with Quilter7. It's all very personal...how will the quilt be used, will it be passed down to other generations, etc? The answers to those questions will help you decide about the sashing.

Good luck.

[6KidsNMoreQuilts]

That's the thing...I believe she inherated thise from her mother, or aunt. So I surely hope it will get passed down wich is why I jumped on the chance to work on it. She is planing on using it for a guest bed quilt, so not much use. I plan on having a good label made so that users know the blocks are older.

I thought I bought 100% cotton, wich I always do, after the wash, however, it does not have the same cotton charasteristics (sp) I'm used to, so I think I picked out the wrong bolt...so I may have to buy more anyway. I KNOW I want cotton, but just not sure about the quality thing. If we're already using a cheap muslin on the blocks, does "upgrading" the sashing really do any good?

The sues have embroidery on each one, and friend thought the interfacing would help keep that in-tact as well.

[quilterbee]

I think whether you use good quality fabrics are up to you, but I would never use a poly/cotton fabric on any quilt. Especially one that has blocks in it that were handed down. I don't even care if they were giving the poly away for free, I wouldn't take it. A good KAufman Kona top of the line is omly $5 a yard full price. On sale, $3.99 and worth every penny. JMO, Amie

[Evie]

If you have a Hobby Lobby or Hancocks nearby they have Kona cotton. Hancocks usually has a coupon for 40 or 50 percent off one cut of fabric. I remember buying 6 yards once with one coupon! There are several shades of white also. Take one of the quilt blocks with you to check the color.

Please post a picture when you are finished. I'm sure it will be beautiful and a family treasure.

[Pilot2b]

I love fabric - so what else is new with me--HA. It continues to be more costly. The poly/cotton would be Ok, but it might be heavier. I am sure you have travel a "FER PIECE" as my Souther grandmother would say, to a quilt shop. Would the fusible cost be more expenz=sive in the long run, compared to purchasing a better quality fabric?

Hey, I gotta check on the Idtatod! So gotta go. Go luck.

Does Vern Halter live in Wasilla, can' recall? He came to my high school, at my request twice before I retired in 2005. It was a wonderful presentation and kids loved it. first time for him at high school age.

Helen

[sunsup]

I agree with your friend about the interfacing. Good fabric does not necessarly have to be expensive. If your Walmart still has fabric you might find something there. As long as it's 100% cotton, I've found some decent fabric there. If the cheap muslin on the back wares out, it can be replaced, but replacing fabric on the front would be more difficult.

Good luck.

[ctherrie]

I have learned the hard way to buy a premium muslin. I think since the blocks are very thin I would back them that would really help support them. I agree with some of the others, go with the kona, with a coupon or a sale, it is almost as cheap and is more durable and washes up nicely. If the quilt is just going to be a show piece and never used or washed you might get by with not backing the blocks. I too pinch my pennies I never buy fabric without a coupon or a sale, but if I am going to make a quilt I need to know that I can wash it and it will survive.

[girl]

I bought 200 hundred thread count for my backing and I think thats the best I had seen and its very durable. Yes alot more pricey but worth it. Happy quilting.