Fabric Selection

When choosing fabrics for a quilt, select the feature fabirc first. Then use the coloured dots printed on the selvedge to make further selections.

When selecting fabrics for your quilt, make sure all the fabrics work well together. It may seem silly, but the last thing you want is to put all the time and hard work into making a quilt to not be pleased with the finished product. Have a color scheme in mind when you choose fabrics for your quilt. Carefully coordinate the colors and patterns on all fabrics used in the quilt will ensure the finished quilt looks exactly how you wish.

Select good quality fabrics made of 100 percent cotton. Polyester fabrics or polyester cotton blends can shrink unevenly, causing your quilt to pucker or pull at the seams. Avoid using thin fabrics, since they can stretch out of shape too easily. Also avoid poorly-constructed fabric. Make sure the fabric has a tight, even weave to ensure the stitches will not pull through or the fabric will stretch. Most importantly, do not sacrifice quality for price.

Even though quilts can be made of any fabric, beginners should focus on cottons for their first quilt. Once you have developed your quilting and sewing skills, use the more exotic fabrics for your next project. It would be a shame for you to waste your money and time on fabrics that are too difficult use for quilting. Fabrics such as silks or satins make lovely quilts, but are very difficult fabrics to work with due to their fragile and slippery nature.