Using 100% acrylic fabric

[LynnS]

I posted this question in the denim thread but here it is on its own. I found some nice red plaid that I want to use in my denim quilt but it's 100% acrylic. It was on sale for $5 a yard and it was in the "suitings" section of JoAnns. I'd really like to use it, but will my quilt fall apart or something if I do? I've never usedthis type of material before.

[HomespunMary]

I've never used acrylic fabric in a quilt, but my guess would be that it would quilt easily "tear" or come apart along the seams, as the "fabric threads" in the seam allowances might not stay in the fabric (sorry for that strange sentence, but have no idea how else to describe it in English). Maybe you could zig-zag the edges of the pieces before you used them?

Although, I guess it might also depend on the type of acrylic fabric. So, I really have no advice to give... Hope someone else will have better suggestions.

[LynnS]

Thanks HSMary, I'm thinkig of using an iron-on type of stabilizer on the fabric. I showed the plaid to my husband and he liked that it was "rustic" and "manly, not girly".

[Leetec]

I've used nontraditional fabrics for quilts. I use fusiable interfacing to give stability and strength to the fabric before I cut it. Seems to work well.

[TheKid]

Take a scrap piece of the material. Sew a line about 4 inches.
Then, take a pin and see if the threads come out easily as you prick at the threads. If they do, they will ravel alot while being used.
That means you could pink scissor the material, then sew a line to keep the seams from coming loose. That would hold the sewing altogether. I have also seen people make a double sew or used the serger with the closed seam. Your hard work does not want to come apart. Good luck. and most of all have fun.