Welcome to Week 2 of the Use Your Stash QAL! In this email you'll find prize information, social media prompts, and tips for this week's theme.
Each week I will send you social media prompt suggestions. Note that these are totally optional, but I'm hoping to spark greater community discussions with these prompts as we evaluate our stash habits!
This week's social media prompt is this:
Have you ever used fabric other than quilting cotton for your quilts? What are your favorite sources of second hand, vintage or alternative fabrics?
This week we're discussing quilting with second hand, vintage, and recycled fabrics. Not only can you create a more sustainable quilting habit by including second hand and vintage fabrics, but you can generally save quite a bit of money and have a more unique fabric collection as a result! Here are some of my favorite tips and resources for using second hand and vintage fabrics
1. Look for vintage fabrics at second hand and antique shops, estate sales, and through local marketplace sites. When you've found some vintage fabric you love, there are a couple of things to do to ensure that it is in good condition!
Wash the fabric before using it. Use your normal detergent that you will use on the finished quilt, and add some vinegar to the rinse cycle if you need to remove any odor.
Make sure the fabric hasn't degraded and is still strong. Grab the fabric and give it a couple of sharp tugs along both the grain and the bias, then carefully inspect it to make sure it isn't damaged.
2. Shop for your next project second hand. Check out destash groups on Facebook and online shops such as Feel Good Fibers - an awesome, positive online community that allows you to buy and sell second hand, as well as hosting group destashing sessions! They are also full of tips and tricks on destashing and decluttering.
3. Hit the linens department of second hand stores and garage sales! Sheets, duvet covers, and even curtains (depending on the fabric content) can make excellent quilting fabric - particularly for quilt backs! I can't tell you how much money I've saved over the years using $5 sheets from thrift shops as the backing for a quilt. Just make sure you follow the tips in the first tip - wash first, and check carefully for fabric strength.
3. Don't be afraid to try fabrics that aren't 100% cotton! While there are a few more things to consider when using alternative fabrics and some of them can be tricky, you can also create some truly spectacular quilts. I personally have found so much inspiration in the work of Josianne Robb, who creates the most gorgeous quilts from second hand fabrics. She excels at using non traditional quilting fabrics such as silk ties to create beautiful memory quilts. Bisa Butler is also an iconic example of using mixed materials to create appliquéd works of art! Here are a few things to consider when using non-cotton fabrics:
Obviously, the washability of your final product will depend on the materials used. Carefully example the care instructions of the fabrics you'll be using, and if you can't identify the fabric content try a test wash first. A memory quilt made of silk ties would likely be a dry clean only project!
Be aware of shrinkage for washable fabrics. When using a cotton-poly blend sheet for a quilt backing, for example, it's important to keep in mind that this may shrink at a different rate than the 100% cotton quilt top you just pieced! A good way around this issue is to make sure to pre wash and dry all fabrics if you are mixing fabric types in the same quilt.
Adjust your seam allowance and stitch length for loosely woven or delicate fabrics. A smaller stitch length for linens and other woven style fabrics can help prevent fraying, but too small of a stitch length could lead to tearing of think and delicate fabrics. Sewing some test seams and then simulating wear and tear can help to determine the optimal seam solutions!
PRIZES
The winner of this week's prizes is @quiltsbycritter! If this is you, reply to this email with your address. They will recieve:
A bundle of Fableism Trellis Wovens from Cottoneer
Winners will be chosen randomly every week using the #UseYourStashQAL hashtag on Instagram. Post every week for a chance to win! Note: it might seem odd to have fabric gift cards as a prize in a quilt a long designed to use your stash. However, week 5 of this QAL will focus on responsible purchasing and consumption, and these prizes can help accentuate your stash to make it even more usable!
QUILT A LONG SCHEDULE
Unlike a traditional QAL, we won't be focusing on some specific part of assembly every week - since everyone will be working with different patterns! Instead, each week I will be sharing tips, tricks, and resources around sewing more sustainably, using your stash, and intentional fabric buying. Each week we will also have optional prompts for social media posts that encourage you and others to think about you can use these ideas in your quilting throughout 2023. Share your progress each week for a chance to win some awesome prizes!
Note that by joining this QAL you are agreeing to receive emails from me. You can unsubscribe at any time, but please do not mark my emails as spam as that greatly impacts my business and others on my email list.
