Floral Quilting Fabric

Choose The Best Quilting Fabrics For The Job

There are many things to think about when you select a quilting fabric. Nowadays, you can get anything from plain quilting fabrics to florals. You can even check quilting squares, which eliminate some of the fabric cutting and measuring that is usually involved with this kind of project. But how do you choose the best quilting fabrics for your projects? Let's find out!

Which Quilting Fabric Is Best For Beginners?

Spotlight usually recommends cotton quilting fabrics for beginners. Cotton quilting fabric has a lot of advantages, especially for those who are new to the craft.

Easy to work with: One of the main benefits of cotton fabrics is that they are easy to work with. Actions such as pressing and the actual sewing project is straightforward, enabling beginners to master their new craft at a fast speed.

Breathable: When you make a quilt for the nursery or a quilt for your own bed, you may want to consider cotton too. Cotton is a breathable material, so it won't trap heat and make you uncomfortable when you actually use the quilt.

Durability: Cotton is a strong fabric fibre as well. It is hardwearing and can withstand a lot of use and washes. Since you want to enjoy your quilt for a long time, choosing a material such as cotton is certainly advantageous.

Are All Cotton Fabrics Suitable For Quilting?

Since cotton is such a beneficial material, you would assume that all cotton materials are suitable for your quilting project. However, this is not the case. Velveteen, chino and poplin fabrics can be particularly troublesome, as they are a lot heavier than most quilter's cotton fabrics.

While some cotton fabrics are not that easy to work with, there are ways to go around their difficult nature. For example, you can use larger squares of fabric. That being said, they should never be used by beginners.

Can I Use Batik Fabrics?

Batik fabrics have become increasingly more popular for quilting and it is not difficult to see why. Batik fabrics come with some of the most beautiful and intricate designs, which explains why advanced crafters use them.

Naturally, batik fabrics are made a little different than your average cotton fabric. They are made by hand and undergo a special dyeing technique, which create the unique design the batik fabric is known for.

It is worth noting that batik fabrics can have a rather tight weave, so it is necessary to adjust your needle. Use a sharper quilting needle in your quilting machine or choose an appropriate manual needle for this particular fabric. Doing so will make it easier to get through the fabric with the needle without damaging it.

Batik fabrics will always be washed when they arrive on your doorstep - this because the fabric is actually washed during the dyeing process. So, some people do not wash their fabric before they start quilting with it. While this is not necessarily a problem, you do have to take the brand into consideration. In some cases, dye can still come out of the fabric on its first wash. So, if you haven't washed the fabric, it could cause the colours to bleed. If you are a beginner and are not that familiar with brands yet, then it is always safer to prewash your batik fabric before you start quilting.

What Is The Difference Between Fat Quarters And Fabric By The Metre?

Fat quarters are pre-cut pieces of fabric, which means you do not have to do any cutting or measuring to get the squares of fabric for your quilt. Fabric by the metre provides you fabric straight of the roll, which means you still have to measure and cut it. Fat quarters can be more convenient and are used by both beginners and advanced crafters. It all comes down to your personal preferences.

Quilting Fabrics At Spotlight

There are many quilting fabrics to choose from at Spotlight. Aside from our range of floral quilting fabrics, you can also count on Spotlight for plain fabrics, matching fat quarters and a whole lot more.

In addition to fabrics, Spotlight also provides quilting tools such as manual sewing needles and quilting hoops. So, be sure to check out the rest of the range too and benefit from our sharp prices on quilting supplies.