In the long run

There are two 'new to me' fabric manufacturers just joining my stash; one is
Westminster Fibers and the other is J. Wecker-Frisch. They were ordered
online because they were fun bubble prints. Both fabrics feel so lovely it
is hard to put them down. I'm wondering how the feel of fabric relates to
the eventual day-to-day wear and appearance. We'll concede that any fabric
that is poorly woven and coarse to the touch may not improve through hard
wear.
There aren't any heirlooms in progress here and no concern for winning
awards. My concern is making "loved by little ones" and "daddy helping
with the laundry" survival. I think what I'm asking is have you concluded
that the "unwashed" finish matters a whole lot, just a little or what?
Polly

Well, I must admit I generally go on instinct. I have had some disasters
with what felt beautiful, and some real surprises with the survival of quick
sample pieces that converted to wash-every-week cat bedding. I am not put
off considering any fabric for effect, but generally prefer cotton,
medium/fine weave, good drape. I would have a hard time defining exactly
what to look for. I no longer consider myself obliged to follow rules . . .
.. . LOL

I have used Westminster, but not yet tried JW-F.

Like you I make quilts for use, and survival is the issue, not preservation.
I agonise over fabric choices for "special" quilts, but once I have
identified the working stash I just cut away. The quilts are given away as
gifts (I usually can't bring myself to sell a quilt)and if I think it is
appropriate (eg. for a raffle prize) I might include a care sheet.




Polly, your post started me thinking on a related subject -

Other quilters I know are horrified and offended if they make a quilt and it
is not treasured and "preserved", but I would prefer to see my gifts used.
Or even used up. I have had quilts returned to me for repairs, and I love
seeing that they are used so much. I have one here now (for some minor
repairs) that I made for a single male friend, and I am sure that his dog
has been sleeping on one corner of it. However, since I know that the dog
is his closest companion, to me this simply means that his quilt is in
constant use. I will wash it, repair it, and return it to the everyday use
it has been getting. And if it wears out, I will make him another one.

Probably the only time I have ever been "offended" by how one of my quilts
was treated was when I made a baby quilt for the daughter of a friend, and
she promptly packed it in tissue paper and put it in a cupboard to keep it
"safe". I didn't say anything at the time as she clearly appreciated the
gift, but I will not make anymore quilts for her. What is the point if she
simply puts them in a cupboard?

How do you "expect" or hope your quilts will be treated, or do you not mind
once it has left you? A similar subject to this came up a while ago, and I
found the responses most interesting.

--

Cheryl
http://community.webshots.com/user/witchofthewest
cawaites@netconnectDOTcomDOTau


"Polly Esther" wrote in message
ink.net...
There are two 'new to me' fabric manufacturers just joining my stash; one
is Westminster Fibers and the other is J. Wecker-Frisch. They were
ordered online because they were fun bubble prints. Both fabrics feel so
lovely it is hard to put them down. I'm wondering how the feel of fabric
relates to the eventual day-to-day wear and appearance. We'll concede
that any fabric that is poorly woven and coarse to the touch may not
improve through hard wear.
There aren't any heirlooms in progress here and no concern for winning
awards. My concern is making "loved by little ones" and "daddy helping
with the laundry" survival. I think what I'm asking is have you concluded
that the "unwashed" finish matters a whole lot, just a little or what?
Polly

I want them to be used, used and more used. I think the more you use them
the better they get. They get that soft, squooshy feel to them.

--
Sharon from Melbourne Australia (Queen of Down Under)
http://www.geocities.com/shazrules/craft.html (takes a while to load)
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/shazrules/my_photos (same as website but
quicker)

"Cheryl" cawaitesATnetconnectDOTcomDOTau wrote in message
...
Well, I must admit I generally go on instinct. I have had some disasters
with what felt beautiful, and some real surprises with the survival of
quick
sample pieces that converted to wash-every-week cat bedding. I am not put
off considering any fabric for effect, but generally prefer cotton,
medium/fine weave, good drape. I would have a hard time defining exactly
what to look for. I no longer consider myself obliged to follow rules . .
..
. . LOL

I have used Westminster, but not yet tried JW-F.

Like you I make quilts for use, and survival is the issue, not
preservation.
I agonise over fabric choices for "special" quilts, but once I have
identified the working stash I just cut away. The quilts are given away
as
gifts (I usually can't bring myself to sell a quilt)and if I think it is
appropriate (eg. for a raffle prize) I might include a care sheet.




Polly, your post started me thinking on a related subject -

Other quilters I know are horrified and offended if they make a quilt and
it
is not treasured and "preserved", but I would prefer to see my gifts used.
Or even used up. I have had quilts returned to me for repairs, and I love
seeing that they are used so much. I have one here now (for some minor
repairs) that I made for a single male friend, and I am sure that his dog
has been sleeping on one corner of it. However, since I know that the dog
is his closest companion, to me this simply means that his quilt is in
constant use. I will wash it, repair it, and return it to the everyday
use
it has been getting. And if it wears out, I will make him another one.

Probably the only time I have ever been "offended" by how one of my quilts
was treated was when I made a baby quilt for the daughter of a friend, and
she promptly packed it in tissue paper and put it in a cupboard to keep it
"safe". I didn't say anything at the time as she clearly appreciated the
gift, but I will not make anymore quilts for her. What is the point if
she
simply puts them in a cupboard?

How do you "expect" or hope your quilts will be treated, or do you not
mind
once it has left you? A similar subject to this came up a while ago, and
I
found the responses most interesting.

--

Cheryl
http://community.webshots.com/user/witchofthewest
cawaites@netconnectDOTcomDOTau


"Polly Esther" wrote in message
ink.net...
There are two 'new to me' fabric manufacturers just joining my stash;
one
is Westminster Fibers and the other is J. Wecker-Frisch. They were
ordered online because they were fun bubble prints. Both fabrics feel so
lovely it is hard to put them down. I'm wondering how the feel of fabric
relates to the eventual day-to-day wear and appearance. We'll concede
that any fabric that is poorly woven and coarse to the touch may not
improve through hard wear.
There aren't any heirlooms in progress here and no concern for
winning
awards. My concern is making "loved by little ones" and "daddy helping
with the laundry" survival. I think what I'm asking is have you
concluded
that the "unwashed" finish matters a whole lot, just a little or what?
Polly

Sharon Harper wrote:
I want them to be used, used and more used. I think the more you use them
the better they get. They get that soft, squooshy feel to them.

I don't, yet, make quilts that are just for looking at, most definetly
made for using. That's if you can call making quilts as one quilt,
several potholders, and two camera pouches.

--
Melinda
http://cust.idl.com.au/athol

I think even with the unwashed fabric ,I can see right through them, or
should I say the sizing they put in is easy to spot I think,its all to do
with thread count!! Hope my double dutch is easy to understand.I know what I
mean.(I think) Estelle uk
"Polly Esther" wrote in message
ink.net...
There are two 'new to me' fabric manufacturers just joining my stash; one
is Westminster Fibers and the other is J. Wecker-Frisch. They were
ordered online because they were fun bubble prints. Both fabrics feel so
lovely it is hard to put them down. I'm wondering how the feel of fabric
relates to the eventual day-to-day wear and appearance. We'll concede
that any fabric that is poorly woven and coarse to the touch may not
improve through hard wear.
There aren't any heirlooms in progress here and no concern for winning
awards. My concern is making "loved by little ones" and "daddy helping
with the laundry" survival. I think what I'm asking is have you concluded
that the "unwashed" finish matters a whole lot, just a little or what?
Polly

I think that counts for plenty! LOL

--

Cheryl
http://community.webshots.com/user/witchofthewest
cawaites@netconnectDOTcomDOTau


"melinda" wrote in message news:1129795847.87562@idlweb...
Sharon Harper wrote:
I want them to be used, used and more used. I think the more you use
them
the better they get. They get that soft, squooshy feel to them.

I don't, yet, make quilts that are just for looking at, most definetly
made for using. That's if you can call making quilts as one quilt,
several potholders, and two camera pouches.

--
Melinda
http://cust.idl.com.au/athol

I think what I was wondering is this - We can generally assume that fabrics
such as Michael Miller and Northcott will have a finer feel at the
beginning. Does that lovely feel produce a nicer quilt after much use? Or
do we choose it just because we enjoy touching it? And whyever wouldn't we
do that if we wanted to? Polly

"Estelle Gallagher" wrote in message
...
I think even with the unwashed fabric ,I can see right through them, or
should I say the sizing they put in is easy to spot I think,its all to do
with thread count!! Hope my double dutch is easy to understand.I know what
I mean.(I think) Estelle uk
"Polly Esther" wrote in message
ink.net...
There are two 'new to me' fabric manufacturers just joining my stash; one
is Westminster Fibers and the other is J. Wecker-Frisch. They were
ordered online because they were fun bubble prints. Both fabrics feel so
lovely it is hard to put them down. I'm wondering how the feel of fabric
relates to the eventual day-to-day wear and appearance. We'll concede
that any fabric that is poorly woven and coarse to the touch may not
improve through hard wear.
There aren't any heirlooms in progress here and no concern for winning
awards. My concern is making "loved by little ones" and "daddy helping
with the laundry" survival. I think what I'm asking is have you
concluded that the "unwashed" finish matters a whole lot, just a little
or what? Polly

Whole lot---if it's rough to the touch it does NOT get used. My fingers
deserve better than that : )
Had enuf handling burlap bags growing up--they were great for pickin taters
; )

Butterfly (Yes, I had clothes made from feed sacks but then it was the
'honor' of having a NEW dress not a hand-me-down. Think I would have worn a
burlap bag if it was NEW --and I am NOT making fun of anyone....I was # 3 of
3 girls and then the boys came and then more girls and then)

"Polly Esther" wrote in message
ink.net...
There are two 'new to me' fabric manufacturers just joining my stash; one
is Westminster Fibers and the other is J. Wecker-Frisch. They were
ordered online because they were fun bubble prints. Both fabrics feel so
lovely it is hard to put them down. I'm wondering how the feel of fabric
relates to the eventual day-to-day wear and appearance. We'll concede
that any fabric that is poorly woven and coarse to the touch may not
improve through hard wear.
There aren't any heirlooms in progress here and no concern for winning
awards. My concern is making "loved by little ones" and "daddy helping
with the laundry" survival. I think what I'm asking is have you concluded
that the "unwashed" finish matters a whole lot, just a little or what?
Polly

I was #2 girl of 5. Glad I was on the early side of the crowd. I
started sewing clothes before I was out of grade school. Everyone
wore clothes I made.
I missed the report back from your foot dr. appt. Butterfly. Was there
any good news?
Taria

Butterfly wrote:
Whole lot---if it's rough to the touch it does NOT get used. My fingers
deserve better than that : )
Had enuf handling burlap bags growing up--they were great for pickin taters
; )

Butterfly (Yes, I had clothes made from feed sacks but then it was the
'honor' of having a NEW dress not a hand-me-down. Think I would have worn a
burlap bag if it was NEW --and I am NOT making fun of anyone....I was # 3 of
3 girls and then the boys came and then more girls and then)

OUT of the cast as of tomorrow. Yesterday I went without after dinner to
bed---had leg cramps from using that muscle again......SIGH.(retraining the
muscle) Shouldn't be so bad tonight. I'm starting the day with it off until
lunch and then the lil cast goes on for the rest of the day--and tomorrow it
is

OFF

Course I have to wear hard soled shoes for a few weeks--and I go back the
first Fri of Nov for a 'final follow-up'

Butterfly (thanks for asking)

"Taria" wrote in message
news:kWO5f.15409$456.1214@trnddc08...
I was #2 girl of 5. Glad I was on the early side of the crowd. I started
sewing clothes before I was out of grade school. Everyone
wore clothes I made.
I missed the report back from your foot dr. appt. Butterfly. Was there
any good news?
Taria

Butterfly wrote:
Whole lot---if it's rough to the touch it does NOT get used. My fingers
deserve better than that : )
Had enuf handling burlap bags growing up--they were great for pickin
taters ; )

Butterfly (Yes, I had clothes made from feed sacks but then it was the
'honor' of having a NEW dress not a hand-me-down. Think I would have worn
a burlap bag if it was NEW --and I am NOT making fun of anyone....I was #
3 of 3 girls and then the boys came and then more girls and then)