HELP! Can I use this for a quilt?

[Bransmom]

A friend today gave me some fabric. I don't know that it's 100 percent cotton, but I think it is. There was a label on it that said it was but there's nothing on the end.

It's black and white and the other piece is black and red ... kinda plaid, reminds me of a flannel shirt. It's not flannel but it is woven. What do they call that, is it Homespun?

He asked if I could make him a quilt out of it.

So ... now what do I do with it?

Can I use it for a quilt? Any ideas what I could use with it? The black and white is thinner than the red and black one.

Any suggestions????

[MAWmum]

you can make a quilt out of homespun fabric but WASH IT FIRST! If you clip a triangle off the corner of the fabric it won't unravel as much in the dryer, but homespun will shrink.
When it shrinks the fabric will "thicken" cause it sorta tightens the weave.
Good luck have fun!

[Bransmom]

Is there anyway I can tell if it is Homespun?

It's a 7 yard piece of each ... should I cut it to make it more manageable to wash and dry it?

Thanks!

[MAWmum]

Homespun is 100% cotton and its usally a plaid or a check, its got a looser weave than traditonal fabric and frays a bit. I don't know of any way to say for sure its homespun but it sounds like it.

I would just was each fabric seperate but not cut them into pieces that would just mean more fraying.

[MastiffMomQlt]

I LOVE homespuns!! Defininately make a quilt!! Wash & dry it first Keep us posted, please.

[HeyGirl]

Homespun makes the softest quilt after it is washed.

[Geneva2]

There is nothing that says a quilt can't be made of fabric that is something other than 100% cotton. You just must be sure it it washable. But then there is nothing that says a quilt must be washed. It can be drycleaned. I would take a piece of each fabric, wash it and see what happens.
Geneva

[jameswife2003]

Kind of surprised to hear someone ask this. I learned from my mom and grandma and they taught me to use whatever happens to be in the scrap bag. My grandma doesn't really care even if the fabric all has the same fiber content. I've been buying from a quilt shop because I don't sew clothing anymore, so all of my fabric is 100% cotton. Is it a big deal if you don't use 100% cotton from a quilting shop? I'd love to hear how others learned, and to make sure I'm not doing any thing wrong:)

[MAWmum]

Fisrt there are no quilt police here so you can use what ever fabric you happen to have.

However... I have read its best to use all 100% cotton fabric so that it wears best and at the same rate. Thats why I was taught to use 100% cotton.

If I am making charity quilts I will use what I have and I am still fairly new to quilting (about 2years) soooo I could be way off. :O)

[Nadine2007]

Sounds like Homespun to me also. I wouldn't cut any until after you wash it.