Great idea!! Funny story re: quilting cottons having some sort of "lesser than" reputation. I grabbed a quilting cotton to make a shirtwaist dress. I was remaking a dress that I had made before. (I had taken a dress apart that I bought from a Thrift store and worn to death. It was a "name" brand from the 50s made out of a really lovely rayon twill. I would guess it was made/used for "going to lunch" or for "Bridge" get togethers; so higher-end than a 1950's housedress.) I had already made one in cotton from the pattern I'd made from the original. After telling the clerk how much yardage I wanted, she asked me what I was making. I told her. She said that she was taking pattern making and design classes and that this fabric wouldn't make what I wanted. I told her that I had already made one up in a quilting cotton. She again and quite adamantly told me that the quilting cotton wasn't right for a dress and that it simply wouldn't hold up. I asked her what this fabric was "right" for. She told me that she could picture me in a nice puffy sleeved blouse. I looked at her with this stunned expression. I then told her, "Look at my body. I am 5'5". My shoulder to shoulder measurement is 15 1/2", my waist is 24", my bust is 34" with a difference of 7" between my under bust and full bust, my hips are 33", my inseam is 31" and on top of all of that I have a long neck - Puffy Sleeves!? - I would look like Barbie wearing football pads!" Then I told her that a dress I wear all the time was made using quilting cotton and it was 7 years old. (Thrown in the washer and drier for 7 years and at that time still going strong.) I told that I appreciate her concern and I was glad she seemed to be getting a lot from her studies but I would advise her to keep herself from having opinions about what people purchase because she'll just drive herself crazy. "I mean just keep what people do with what they buy out of your head . . . " Bought the fabric. Made the dress. Loved it. Wore it all the time. Lasted well over 10 years. I also made a dress out of a 100% cotton drapery fabric . . . but that's another story. (I'm an artist. Seriously, who can tell an artist anything . . . ) ;-)
I worked in retail: a women's dress shop and a yarn shop. I talked to people all the time regarding what they were doing. The biggest problem is when someone has an opinion about what someone else is doing. I was the youngest of four. My 3 older siblings had all the rules and very constricting opinions about everything. My parents took a break and then came along two more boys! My little brothers treat me like I'm the eldest. I promised myself, starting I when was little, that I would not treat people the way my older siblings did. My little brothers taught me tolerance, to be joyful for others, to really listen (without adding to their narrative) and mostly to say, "Oh." My conversation with that clerk was longer than I wrote. I think I got her to understand that she was beating herself up by analyzing and formulating opinions about other people's projects. What I love about Whitney is her ability to make something, analyze what she likes, what could be better and then decide whether she can live with it and/or how she will use it. I think that is extremely healthy!
I talked to the clerks all the time about what we're making with our fabric. And I usually come in wearing the things that I make. I've had some clerks who don't know a thing about what they're selling. And others who were more skilled than I was. That clerk was being taught to think inside the box to her detriment. I wonder what happened to her career in textiles.
I love making and wearing womens button up shirt sleeve shirts for the summer out of quilting cotton. I also make pants and shorts out of quilting cottons. If you ever look at people from hot countries, they don’t wear polyester, it’s natural fibers only because they breathe.
When I was growing up in the 60's and 70's I sewed most of my own clothes. Knit fabric was not a big thing and neither was quilting....that took off in the 80's. The fabric stores were full of cottons so that is what I used a lot for tops and dresses. One thing is that I fond a midweight cotton the easiest thing to sew with. I really sew much less of that kind of cotton now but do still enjoy it when I do. Another great item out of quilting cotton is a camp shirt, simple lines and great for big prints, you could make matching shorts and it would make a great matching set.
Years ago, when I retuned to sewing, I made a fitted sheath dress M2401 out of a batik quilting cotton. I received many compliments on it. I think I’ll make another next spring!
Thank you for this. I’ve always included quilting cotton in my sewing repertoire, and I’ve felt a bit uneasy with what feels to me like the snobbish point of view that says it’s never okay. Obviously, it doesn’t work for everything for everybody all the time, but it’s fantastically easy to sew, it just comes in so many beautiful options, and it’s comfortable and easy to wear in hot weather. I love it.
I use quilting cotton often...the extra bonus is that if you (or a child) grows out of it or it just doesn't work for you, you can always cut it up and use it in an actual quilt or other sewing craft. My daughter did this for her sister on a dress she really likes--it became a stuffed toy elephant and a skirt became an apron.
Oh my goodness!! I just discovered you and I'm so excited about it! I had some quilting cotton on hand and I used it for a simple. A line skirt. It worked great! I used fusible knit interfacing on the whole garment to improve the drape and add enough opacity that I don't have to wear a slip in the summer. The interfacing felt good next to my skin and I was really happy with everything about the skirt. Normally I would line this skirt, but I don't mind the look of "bonded fabric" and I don't really want a lining in the summer anyway. This is easier and lighter weight than a lining . I used a cute lemon print that's fun and cheerful. I wear a plain black tee and sandals with it so the fun print really pops! Thanks for this wonderful video!! now I can branch out from my A line skirt a bit! - So Glad I Found You! I Subscribed!!
Fantastic! I'm so glad this helped! Be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you don't miss a thing! www.tomkatstitchery.com/newsletter and thank you for subscribing!!
I recently bought a quilting cotton from Japan. It is about the same weight as some cotton lawns and not as expensive. I plan on making a LN Ballad Blouse out of one and a Cashmerette Cedar Dolman out of the other. I have recently fallen in love with linen because it really does breathe during the hot months here. We have 3 seasons here (Texas) Very hot, hot, and not so hot.
I totally agree on your simplicity shirt choice, the Melody Dolman and would add to those tops the Eureka top from Sewing Workshop. I am on number six Eureka as we speak, most from quilting cottons. I have found QCs, like anything else, have differing qualities and you have to be careful. My experience with batiks has been wonderful. They are tightly woven and not prone to wrinkling as much as other QCs. These fabrics make great tops. BUT, personally, I find them a bit off for skirts, dresses and pants. Their ability to hold crackly wrinkles, IMPO, does not make them great choices for pleated skirts and pants crotches, unless you plan to never sit down. I know, I know, wrinkled linen is worn and sold all the time but the wrinkles in linendhave a certain cache and are softer looking. Wrinkles in cottons like to stay hard pressed and don't have that same cache and instead just look unpressed and messy. I stay away for use in bottoms but for great shirts, you can't beat them. Just my two cents.
The Trillium dress by Made by Rae is nice in a quilting cotton. I have made many Darcy Boxers (free pattern) out of quilting cotton, and just made a pj set out of quilting cotton (fabulous carrots, peas, and radishes print - don't ask: I just liked it!) using the Darcy Boxers and the Donny shirt. (That was my pattern toile for the Donny.)
I have twin girls, and when they were little, I made them wonderful dresses from quilting cottons! Often, a designer would have the same print in multiple colorways, so the girls were dressed the same, but different. I also made plenty of play sets - shorts and tops - out of quilting cottons. Now I just need grandchildren!
Yes I have! In the mid-80's I made a Vogue dress pattern with a coarser cotton: lined, full skirt, midi length. It turned out nicely, but I could hardly lift the dress on a hanger! 😂😂 (and it was never very comfortable to wear) Lesson learned! 😛 I've since learned to stick to the better, finer quilting cottons for more successful garments. Thanks for all the ideas!
I use quilting cottons for dresses quite frequently because there is nothing cooler than a dress, And this summer has been brutal. I have made them from a group of multiple remnants of batiks which is a lighter but very structured cotton and I get a lot of complimnents on them. I have to do a full bust adjustment on a lot of my patterns and though you haven't mentioned it here I wouldn't be surprised if you're doing that too. Particularly the Itched to Stitch dress which looks like if you're going to get it up over your head without a zipper there has to be a little extra room in the bust. If you have a particular technique that you prefer I would be interested to know what it is since I am always searching to do things a little better. I enjoy your podcast thank you so much for doing such a professional job and editing in your pictures and listing your patterns.
I'm so glad you're enjoying the channel! Unless a pattern comes with cup sizes, I also have to do an FBA for my patterns. Itch to Stitch comes with cup size options so I'm able to use their D cup fronts for a great fit! The pattern in this video has instructions for adding or eliminating the side zipper. I'm able to get both of my Celeste dresses over my head pretty easily without the side zipper!
I use to only quilt, now I'm just sewing garments. I've made a bunch of shorts out of my quilt stash, they are perfect for summer. I've also made several Donnie shirts in quilting cotton. A great way to thin out my stash😂
This was a great video. I think changing the name to “quilting cotton” is the biggest mistake. It’s just”cotton” . The finishing on the fabric gives it more structure than a person may want it but it washes out. Years ago , 🤦♀️ it was just cotton. It wrinkles ~ not as much as linen ~ but is a wonderful fiber to work with. Your pattern choices were right on!
One more thing to consider when purchasing quilting cotton: Griege Goods quality. I once purchased exactly the same print at Walmart (?) and at a quilting store. Realized that the more expensive one had a tighter weave and more threads per inch. I use quilting cottons a lot. I use novelty prints for pj/lounge pants. Preshrink, throw them in the washer dryer and they get softer over time...like a nice homemade quilt. I also use them for wearable muslins if I am going to use a dupioni or satin for the final Always check for broadcloth, never thought to look for poplin as recommended fabric
What a FUN and INSPIRING video!!!! I live in Paducah KY and we have quilting cottons GALORE here-Hancocks of Paducah.... Might need to go there this week. Thank you Whitney!
I'm so jealous you have a Hancocks, the store I shopped at closed to move, but they never reopened anywhere. I'm sure they knew women in Kansas City would of protested.
I cannever resist the call of a quilting cotton :) My persona favorite patterns for them as Simplicity 1416 or Simplicity 2444 for a very Modcloth-esque novelty print dress. Ive made a bunch of those. And any woven t-shirt works well too. I like the Fancy Tiger Crafts Sailor Blouse or New Look 6483 for those. I also loved the Sassy Librarian Blouse from the Craftsy class for them as well. So many fun patterns!
Excellent post. Great idea because we all want to use this stuff. BTW - you make colours look quiet luxury. That first dress is amazing on you. I'm doing Celeste now and will get the Simplicity button up too. And the overalls!
Great video thanks Whitney. I adore Kaffe Fasset fabrics and since I've returned to sewing I have been dreaming of making a garment with them, but wondered which patterns would be more successful, other than just a shirt. So you've given me some wonderful inspiration. Thank you.
Thank you for this! I’ve been eyeing my cotton stash for a while contemplating garments instead of quilts and you’ve just stoked that fire. BTW I think you could totally wear your Kaffe Dress with leggings, boots and a great cardigan in the winter. Maybe in February...😊
Love videos like this! I'm still in the early stages of my sewing journey and it's so helpful to have some examples of what type of fabric works with each pattern and how the fabric will change the look of the garment. That was not something I considered when I first started but now it's one of the first things I think about when choosing a project. You look great in the orange-red color! I love that color on myself too.😉
Quilting cottons make great summer kimonos. I make them short and mix up the prints. I also love my quilting batik crop pants. Very cool to wear here in the Dallas over 100 days we’ve had for over a month now.😂
I love the shirt pattern, it would suit many different fabrics. One of my favourite garments that I have made from a batik quilting fabric is Deer & Doe's Datura top, the quilting fabrics have enough structure to hold the shape beautifully and you can use a contrasting colour for the top section. I also made a sleeveless version of the basic tunic from a book called The Tunic Bible by Julie Starr and Sarah Gunn, I used plain black for the main part of the top and used a co-ordinating fat quarter for the contrasting front panel - it is a lovely design for a print that you feel is too pretty to cut up into tiny bits!
I am mostly a quilter so I have lots of qc fabric. I didn't know when I began sewing that there was any other fabric 😂. I adore Kaffe Fassett fabric. I took a class from him at the international quilt festival in Houston in 2016. 😊
Whitney, I am so glad you did this video. I love quilting cotton and I made a dress out of quilting cotton, but I haven't seen many people make dresses out of it. Thanks for doing this video again.
Fantastic video Whitney ! I have so much quilting cotton. Not huge pieces but color blocking could be fun. Thanks for making this video. I always thought quilting cotton was a no-no for garments. xx Karen
I made palazzo pants and children’s sundresses and circle dresses/skirts out of quilting cotton. Also - I love batik and it is often very tightly woven but lightweight. It makes great clothes. I made Helen’s Closet Yanta overalls with Sew Batik canvas. the Yantas are roomy and the lightweight canvas is like a beefy quilting cotton.
Kaffe Fassett is perfect for clothing, in my humble opinion, because it is thinner and lighter weight than many others. I might add some to my current Missouri Star bundle for fall sewing.
Great suggestion of pattern for quiltins cotton, I have just finished the Easy shirt pattern from Pattern Emporium and love the fit and easy sewing of this shirt (instructions and hacks...are fantastic) as well as made the Pattern Scout Flora summer dress in cotton and is a dream to wear in this hot summer! So we may see you in your own dress too. Thanks for this fantastic video. Have a lovely day...
So timely, I just made a skirt yesterday(sew the look of a Talbot’s out of cotton) I used a similar color way with my color palette in mind. Today I am sewing a shirt dress from a gifted cotton. Good time of year for these fabrics. Thank you!
Thank you for this great variety of patterns. I made the Itch to Stitch Santorini top and the Icaria pants in a wide back quilting cotton to make a faux jumpsuit look. Wide back quilting cotton is usually a tad thinner. Thanks again for all of the new pattern ideas.
Great suggestions Whitney - I love sewing garments with quilting cottons. I made a fun mixed print version of the Style Arc Blaire with some Kaffe Fasset prints that I LOVE. I'm about to start your fitting course - looking forward to it!!
I have another one, the (free) athina top by tessuti. With 100 cm wide fabric you may have to sacrifce 3 cm of arm length but the fit and drape of it is just fine.
I got a panel with a fish theme (think fishing cabin, not pretty fish print) and I'm making a dress out of it. It's objectively an ugly fabric but i can't help but love it 😂
Quilting cotton has a bad rep in the garment world. There is a lot of cheap quilting cotton that is rough to the touch and does not suit clothing well. But that doesn't mean all cotton is bad. I frequently make tiered skirts with elastic waistbands from quilting cotton. I make them to be knee length And wide. I want them to be fun and swishy. And they look great. I have a harder time using quilting cotton for bodices but that's because I don't do well with buttons and zippers. I have developed a Mexican peasant top style that works perfectly with quilting cotton. And it's incredibly comfortable to wear day or night. I started sewing before I delved into the world of textiles and what the experts had to say. It kept me from having a bias towards any fabric type. I try it all and see what I can do with it. I tend use knit/ stretch fabrics for bodices and pants because I like the fit and ease of wear. I have even mixed knit and cotton in the same garment. Sometimes you're better off not knowing and just experimenting.
Thank you for this video! Just answer my question! Indeed last week I have seen superb printed cottons but quilting/craft cotton. So I wondered if they can be used for making clothes, especially dresses.
So many sewing classes have pyjama pants as a first garment. So it’s lucky that quilting cottons work for them, huh, since we just don’t know any better then?
I am making the simplicity shirt and I am using quilting cotton. I quilt and I have used quilting cotton like I use regular cotton. I love the prints in quilted cotton. I have some light weight linen and I want to make a dress but the dress would need to be lined. What fabric would you use to line the dress? I want to keep the dress airy and light . Please help me.
I've made several pieces of apparel from quilting cotton over the years.... After about the 4th wash the fabric fades considerably. And I wash in cold, use vinegar for rinse and always hang to dry. The fading is annoying.
WHITNEY, WE ARE NEVER OUT OF COTTON SEASON. THE WORLD IS FULL OF QUILTERS, SO IT'S ALWAYS COTTON SEASON. 😊
I think with the climate changes were experiencing we may be wearing a bikini in December.
😂 Good point!
Great idea!! Funny story re: quilting cottons having some sort of "lesser than" reputation. I grabbed a quilting cotton to make a shirtwaist dress. I was remaking a dress that I had made before. (I had taken a dress apart that I bought from a Thrift store and worn to death. It was a "name" brand from the 50s made out of a really lovely rayon twill. I would guess it was made/used for "going to lunch" or for "Bridge" get togethers; so higher-end than a 1950's housedress.) I had already made one in cotton from the pattern I'd made from the original. After telling the clerk how much yardage I wanted, she asked me what I was making. I told her. She said that she was taking pattern making and design classes and that this fabric wouldn't make what I wanted. I told her that I had already made one up in a quilting cotton. She again and quite adamantly told me that the quilting cotton wasn't right for a dress and that it simply wouldn't hold up. I asked her what this fabric was "right" for. She told me that she could picture me in a nice puffy sleeved blouse. I looked at her with this stunned expression. I then told her, "Look at my body. I am 5'5". My shoulder to shoulder measurement is 15 1/2", my waist is 24", my bust is 34" with a difference of 7" between my under bust and full bust, my hips are 33", my inseam is 31" and on top of all of that I have a long neck - Puffy Sleeves!? - I would look like Barbie wearing football pads!" Then I told her that a dress I wear all the time was made using quilting cotton and it was 7 years old. (Thrown in the washer and drier for 7 years and at that time still going strong.) I told that I appreciate her concern and I was glad she seemed to be getting a lot from her studies but I would advise her to keep herself from having opinions about what people purchase because she'll just drive herself crazy. "I mean just keep what people do with what they buy out of your head . . . " Bought the fabric. Made the dress. Loved it. Wore it all the time. Lasted well over 10 years. I also made a dress out of a 100% cotton drapery fabric . . . but that's another story. (I'm an artist. Seriously, who can tell an artist anything . . . ) ;-)
The clerks shouldn’t ask. So many times they haven’t a clue about garment construction!
I worked in retail: a women's dress shop and a yarn shop. I talked to people all the time regarding what they were doing. The biggest problem is when someone has an opinion about what someone else is doing. I was the youngest of four. My 3 older siblings had all the rules and very constricting opinions about everything. My parents took a break and then came along two more boys! My little brothers treat me like I'm the eldest. I promised myself, starting I when was little, that I would not treat people the way my older siblings did. My little brothers taught me tolerance, to be joyful for others, to really listen (without adding to their narrative) and mostly to say, "Oh." My conversation with that clerk was longer than I wrote. I think I got her to understand that she was beating herself up by analyzing and formulating opinions about other people's projects. What I love about Whitney is her ability to make something, analyze what she likes, what could be better and then decide whether she can live with it and/or how she will use it. I think that is extremely healthy!
I love this! I would look the same in a puffy sleeve as well 😂.
I talked to the clerks all the time about what we're making with our fabric. And I usually come in wearing the things that I make. I've had some clerks who don't know a thing about what they're selling. And others who were more skilled than I was. That clerk was being taught to think inside the box to her detriment. I wonder what happened to her career in textiles.
I love making and wearing womens button up shirt sleeve shirts for the summer out of quilting cotton. I also make pants and shorts out of quilting cottons.
If you ever look at people from hot countries, they don’t wear polyester, it’s natural fibers only because they breathe.
You are so right!
Love it! You can also get quilt backing fabric (same stuff) in 108” wide for quilt backings. I buy these a lot. Oh yeah…..and batiks! ❤
Sew Batik has 115” border prints and double border prints. I bought a double border to make some palazzo pants.
You're right! I forgot about that!
When I was growing up in the 60's and 70's I sewed most of my own clothes. Knit fabric was not a big thing and neither was quilting....that took off in the 80's. The fabric stores were full of cottons so that is what I used a lot for tops and dresses. One thing is that I fond a midweight cotton the easiest thing to sew with. I really sew much less of that kind of cotton now but do still enjoy it when I do. Another great item out of quilting cotton is a camp shirt, simple lines and great for big prints, you could make matching shorts and it would make a great matching set.
You're right! I'm making my son a camp shirt in a quilting cotton!
Years ago, when I retuned to sewing, I made a fitted sheath dress M2401 out of a batik quilting cotton. I received many compliments on it. I think I’ll make another next spring!
I bet it was stunning!
Thank you very much, all ready warm in South Africa.
I'm glad you enjoyed this one!
Thank you for this. I’ve always included quilting cotton in my sewing repertoire, and I’ve felt a bit uneasy with what feels to me like the snobbish point of view that says it’s never okay. Obviously, it doesn’t work for everything for everybody all the time, but it’s fantastically easy to sew, it just comes in so many beautiful options, and it’s comfortable and easy to wear in hot weather. I love it.
I completely agree!
I use quilting cotton often...the extra bonus is that if you (or a child) grows out of it or it just doesn't work for you, you can always cut it up and use it in an actual quilt or other sewing craft. My daughter did this for her sister on a dress she really likes--it became a stuffed toy elephant and a skirt became an apron.
That's a great idea!
❤ Thankyou Lovely! Spring coming here in Australia!
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Oh my goodness!! I just discovered you and I'm so excited about it! I had some quilting cotton on hand and I used it for a simple. A line skirt. It worked great! I used fusible knit interfacing on the whole garment to improve the drape and add enough opacity that I don't have to wear a slip in the summer. The interfacing felt good next to my skin and I was really happy with everything about the skirt. Normally I would line this skirt, but I don't mind the look of "bonded fabric" and I don't really want a lining in the summer anyway. This is easier and lighter weight than a lining . I used a cute lemon print that's fun and cheerful. I wear a plain black tee and sandals with it so the fun print really pops!
Thanks for this wonderful video!! now I can branch out from my A line skirt a bit! - So Glad I Found You! I Subscribed!!
Fantastic! I'm so glad this helped! Be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you don't miss a thing! www.tomkatstitchery.com/newsletter and thank you for subscribing!!
I recently bought a quilting cotton from Japan. It is about the same weight as some cotton lawns and not as expensive. I plan on making a LN Ballad Blouse out of one and a Cashmerette Cedar Dolman out of the other. I have recently fallen in love with linen because it really does breathe during the hot months here. We have 3 seasons here (Texas) Very hot, hot, and not so hot.
Linen is perfect for Texas weather!
Love the dress in the Kaffe Fassett fabric. Gorgeous colour and design.
Thank you! I love that dress as well!
All these would be fabulous made from old bedsheets or curtains as well!
Absolutely! What a great way to bring new life to vintage fabrics!
The fly made me laugh so much! :D Great suggestions, too!!
It has made its way from the filming studio to the sewing room now 🙄.
I totally agree on your simplicity shirt choice, the Melody Dolman and would add to those tops the Eureka top from Sewing Workshop. I am on number six Eureka as we speak, most from quilting cottons. I have found QCs, like anything else, have differing qualities and you have to be careful. My experience with batiks has been wonderful. They are tightly woven and not prone to wrinkling as much as other QCs. These fabrics make great tops. BUT, personally, I find them a bit off for skirts, dresses and pants. Their ability to hold crackly wrinkles, IMPO, does not make them great choices for pleated skirts and pants crotches, unless you plan to never sit down. I know, I know, wrinkled linen is worn and sold all the time but the wrinkles in linendhave a certain cache and are softer looking. Wrinkles in cottons like to stay hard pressed and don't have that same cache and instead just look unpressed and messy. I stay away for use in bottoms but for great shirts, you can't beat them. Just my two cents.
That is good advice that comes from years of trial and error. Thanks for sharing that!
Thanks Whitney for more great ideas. By the way, I think by now, your fly needs a name. My I suggest Loki? 😂😂😂
😂😂😂 I LOVE it!
The Trillium dress by Made by Rae is nice in a quilting cotton. I have made many Darcy Boxers (free pattern) out of quilting cotton, and just made a pj set out of quilting cotton (fabulous carrots, peas, and radishes print - don't ask: I just liked it!) using the Darcy Boxers and the Donny shirt. (That was my pattern toile for the Donny.)
Ooh! I'll have to take a look at those patterns!
I have twin girls, and when they were little, I made them wonderful dresses from quilting cottons! Often, a designer would have the same print in multiple colorways, so the girls were dressed the same, but different. I also made plenty of play sets - shorts and tops - out of quilting cottons. Now I just need grandchildren!
You're right! The coordinating prints that come in a quilting line are so fun to play around with!
I made loads of smocked dresses out of nice QCs for my granddaughters, usually 3 designs to a garment. Such fun!
Yes I have! In the mid-80's I made a Vogue dress pattern with a coarser cotton: lined, full skirt, midi length. It turned out nicely, but I could hardly lift the dress on a hanger! 😂😂 (and it was never very comfortable to wear) Lesson learned! 😛 I've since learned to stick to the better, finer quilting cottons for more successful garments. Thanks for all the ideas!
I, too, have learned many fabric lessons the hard way over the years 😂.
Love the Kaffe Fassett.
So, so good. It's so cheerful on a gray day.
I've made 3 pairs of the Great British Sewing Bee Capri pants out of quilting cotton and they are perfect for summer pants.
That's great!
I use quilting cottons for dresses quite frequently because there is nothing cooler than a dress, And this summer has been brutal. I have made them from a group of multiple remnants of batiks which is a lighter but very structured cotton and I get a lot of complimnents on them. I have to do a full bust adjustment on a lot of my patterns and though you haven't mentioned it here I wouldn't be surprised if you're doing that too. Particularly the Itched to Stitch dress which looks like if you're going to get it up over your head without a zipper there has to be a little extra room in the bust. If you have a particular technique that you prefer I would be interested to know what it is since I am always searching to do things a little better. I enjoy your podcast thank you so much for doing such a professional job and editing in your pictures and listing your patterns.
I'm so glad you're enjoying the channel! Unless a pattern comes with cup sizes, I also have to do an FBA for my patterns. Itch to Stitch comes with cup size options so I'm able to use their D cup fronts for a great fit! The pattern in this video has instructions for adding or eliminating the side zipper. I'm able to get both of my Celeste dresses over my head pretty easily without the side zipper!
Thank you for posting. I love looking at the quilting cottons when I go to the fabric store but I had no idea what to make with it.
Now you have so many ideas for that beautiful fabric!!
The lyric top is fine in quilting cotton! I’ve made it in linen and cotton and it’s a nice summer blouse!
Good to know!
I made the rapsody top/dress from kaffe fassett quilting cotton-it feels so nice.
I bet that's lovely!
I use to only quilt, now I'm just sewing garments. I've made a bunch of shorts out of my quilt stash, they are perfect for summer. I've also made several Donnie shirts in quilting cotton. A great way to thin out my stash😂
Both great choices!
Love those ideas. I especially liked the skirt patterns. I leave for Florida soon so and will still be able to wear quilting cottons.
Definitely!
This was a great and informative video. Thank you!
I'm glad it was helpful!
This was a great video. I think changing the name to “quilting cotton” is the biggest mistake. It’s just”cotton” . The finishing on the fabric gives it more structure than a person may want it but it washes out. Years ago , 🤦♀️ it was just cotton. It wrinkles ~ not as much as linen ~ but is a wonderful fiber to work with. Your pattern choices were right on!
That's a great point!
Holy cow that Upton dress looks fantastic on you. So pretty.
Thank you so much!
One more thing to consider when purchasing quilting cotton: Griege Goods quality. I once purchased exactly the same print at Walmart (?) and at a quilting store. Realized that the more expensive one had a tighter weave and more threads per inch. I use quilting cottons a lot. I use novelty prints for pj/lounge pants. Preshrink, throw them in the washer dryer and they get softer over time...like a nice homemade quilt.
I also use them for wearable muslins if I am going to use a dupioni or satin for the final
Always check for broadcloth, never thought to look for poplin as recommended fabric
You're right that you will get what you pay for when it comes to cotton!
What a FUN and INSPIRING video!!!! I live in Paducah KY and we have quilting cottons GALORE here-Hancocks of Paducah.... Might need to go there this week. Thank you Whitney!
Oh good! Happy shopping!
I'm so jealous you have a Hancocks, the store I shopped at closed to move, but they never reopened anywhere. I'm sure they knew women in Kansas City would of protested.
Thank you for sharing, I've always wondered about quilting cotton and dressmaking, now I feel educated 😂🙏
Oh good!
I cannever resist the call of a quilting cotton :) My persona favorite patterns for them as Simplicity 1416 or Simplicity 2444 for a very Modcloth-esque novelty print dress. Ive made a bunch of those. And any woven t-shirt works well too. I like the Fancy Tiger Crafts Sailor Blouse or New Look 6483 for those. I also loved the Sassy Librarian Blouse from the Craftsy class for them as well. So many fun patterns!
I love these ideas for quilting cotton projects!
Great pairings!
These are great ideas!
Excellent post. Great idea because we all want to use this stuff. BTW - you make colours look quiet luxury. That first dress is amazing on you. I'm doing Celeste now and will get the Simplicity button up too. And the overalls!
Thank you for the kind words!! Have so much fun sewing!
Great video thanks Whitney. I adore Kaffe Fasset fabrics and since I've returned to sewing I have been dreaming of making a garment with them, but wondered which patterns would be more successful, other than just a shirt. So you've given me some wonderful inspiration. Thank you.
You are so welcome!
Excellent suggestions, thank you so helpful!
You are so welcome!
Thank you for this! I’ve been eyeing my cotton stash for a while contemplating garments instead of quilts and you’ve just stoked that fire. BTW I think you could totally wear your Kaffe Dress with leggings, boots and a great cardigan in the winter. Maybe in February...😊
That's a great idea for the Kaffe dress. I need bright colors in the gray months!
Love videos like this! I'm still in the early stages of my sewing journey and it's so helpful to have some examples of what type of fabric works with each pattern and how the fabric will change the look of the garment. That was not something I considered when I first started but now it's one of the first things I think about when choosing a project. You look great in the orange-red color! I love that color on myself too.😉
I'm so glad you enjoyed this one!
That's great information that it is called cotton poplin. I never knew what that was. Great ideas for using coordinates.
I'm glad you enjoyed this one!
Quilting cottons make great summer kimonos. I make them short and mix up the prints. I also love my quilting batik crop pants. Very cool to wear here in the Dallas over 100 days we’ve had for over a month now.😂
I love that!
Fabulous content. 👌💕
Thank you 🙌
I love the shirt pattern, it would suit many different fabrics. One of my favourite garments that I have made from a batik quilting fabric is Deer & Doe's Datura top, the quilting fabrics have enough structure to hold the shape beautifully and you can use a contrasting colour for the top section. I also made a sleeveless version of the basic tunic from a book called The Tunic Bible by Julie Starr and Sarah Gunn, I used plain black for the main part of the top and used a co-ordinating fat quarter for the contrasting front panel - it is a lovely design for a print that you feel is too pretty to cut up into tiny bits!
Oh good tip!
Those are great ideas!
Thanks so much for this video. I love African wax print but was struggling to find patterns other than skirt patterns. Now I have a few more ideas. 😊
These would all work great!
Thank you for this video. We all bought our cotton because we love the prints. Now to go forth and make!
Woo Hoo!
Hey Whitney! The kew dress by Nina Lee works really well in qc.
I’m also going to try the Nenuphar jacket by Deer and Doe 😁
I'll check it out!
I am mostly a quilter so I have lots of qc fabric. I didn't know when I began sewing that there was any other fabric 😂. I adore Kaffe Fassett fabric. I took a class from him at the international quilt festival in Houston in 2016. 😊
I adore Kaffee Fassett as well!
Love this. I've made lots of shirts for DH in quilting cotton because he loves the crazy prints. That Know Me Dress fabric is wonderful.
Quilting cottons are so much fun!
Really fun and interesting presentation. Has me thinking out of the box about new possibilities when shopping for fabrics. Thank you!
Oh good!
This video hit it out of the park. Made my day😊
Have fun sewing some of them!
Hey-best description of using quilting cottons in garments. Thanks!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Whitney, I am so glad you did this video. I love quilting cotton and I made a dress out of quilting cotton, but I haven't seen many people make dresses out of it. Thanks for doing this video again.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this one!
Fantastic video Whitney ! I have so much quilting cotton. Not huge pieces but color blocking could be fun. Thanks for making this video. I always thought quilting cotton was a no-no for garments. xx Karen
Color blocking or even print mashing are a lot of fun with quilting cottons!
Wow! I love all your pattern/ fabric pairings. Such a great idea to try out quilting cottons for garment sewing. thank-you 😊
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Flies can live 2 to 3 months :) Good luck hunting :)
Thank you for the idea's you shared
Oh no! It's going to be in there FOREVER!
I made palazzo pants and children’s sundresses and circle dresses/skirts out of quilting cotton. Also - I love batik and it is often very tightly woven but lightweight. It makes great clothes. I made Helen’s Closet Yanta overalls with Sew Batik canvas. the Yantas are roomy and the lightweight canvas is like a beefy quilting cotton.
I bet those Yantas are amazing!
@@TomKatStitchery I love them - I used “Dusty Topaz Flock Together” they are so fun and I get compliments every time I wear them.
Kaffe Fassett is perfect for clothing, in my humble opinion, because it is thinner and lighter weight than many others. I might add some to my current Missouri Star bundle for fall sewing.
You're right! It is a bit thinner.
Great suggestion of pattern for quiltins cotton, I have just finished the Easy shirt pattern from Pattern Emporium and love the fit and easy sewing of this shirt (instructions and hacks...are fantastic) as well as made the Pattern Scout Flora summer dress in cotton and is a dream to wear in this hot summer! So we may see you in your own dress too. Thanks for this fantastic video. Have a lovely day...
I'm so glad you enjoyed this one!
So timely, I just made a skirt yesterday(sew the look of a Talbot’s out of cotton) I used a similar color way with my color palette in mind. Today I am sewing a shirt dress from a gifted cotton. Good time of year for these fabrics. Thank you!
You're right! It is a good time for the cottons!
Thank you for this great variety of patterns. I made the Itch to Stitch Santorini top and the Icaria pants in a wide back quilting cotton to make a faux jumpsuit look. Wide back quilting cotton is usually a tad thinner.
Thanks again for all of the new pattern ideas.
I bet that worked great!
Just as many others, I have been sewing with quilting cotton for many years. Love natural fibers all year long.
Thanks for sharing!
I love this video. I’m planning a camp style shirt in this super cute fruit print. ❤️✂️❤️✂️
That sounds amazing!
I've used quilting cotton for several Melody Dolmans!
I love that!
Great suggestions Whitney - I love sewing garments with quilting cottons. I made a fun mixed print version of the Style Arc Blaire with some Kaffe Fasset prints that I LOVE. I'm about to start your fitting course - looking forward to it!!
Ooh! I bet that pattern is fabulous in some Kaffe!
I have another one, the (free) athina top by tessuti. With 100 cm wide fabric you may have to sacrifce 3 cm of arm length but the fit and drape of it is just fine.
Ooh! Thank you!
Fun, fun video ❤
I'm so glad!
I got a panel with a fish theme (think fishing cabin, not pretty fish print) and I'm making a dress out of it. It's objectively an ugly fabric but i can't help but love it 😂
That sounds amazing!!
Thanks for all the great ideas!
My pleasure!
Cutting Line Designs: Back by Popular Demand is a great pattern for quilting cotton.
Great tip!
Love these ideas! Thank you!
I'm so glad!
So good!
Thank you!
love this video 😀
I'm so glad!
Quilting cotton has a bad rep in the garment world. There is a lot of cheap quilting cotton that is rough to the touch and does not suit clothing well. But that doesn't mean all cotton is bad. I frequently make tiered skirts with elastic waistbands from quilting cotton. I make them to be knee length And wide. I want them to be fun and swishy. And they look great. I have a harder time using quilting cotton for bodices but that's because I don't do well with buttons and zippers. I have developed a Mexican peasant top style that works perfectly with quilting cotton. And it's incredibly comfortable to wear day or night.
I started sewing before I delved into the world of textiles and what the experts had to say. It kept me from having a bias towards any fabric type. I try it all and see what I can do with it.
I tend use knit/ stretch fabrics for bodices and pants because I like the fit and ease of wear.
I have even mixed knit and cotton in the same garment. Sometimes you're better off not knowing and just experimenting.
This is so true! Not knowing what you don't know can totally be a blessing!
I
Such fantastic ideas!
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
That was fun and interesting. 😊 I love sewing and wearing cottons, but that has seemed old fashioned, lately. -Deborah
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for this video! Just answer my question! Indeed last week I have seen superb printed cottons but quilting/craft cotton. So I wondered if they can be used for making clothes, especially dresses.
This was perfect timing!
So many sewing classes have pyjama pants as a first garment. So it’s lucky that quilting cottons work for them, huh, since we just don’t know any better then?
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I am making the simplicity shirt and I am using quilting cotton. I quilt and I have used quilting cotton like I use regular cotton. I love the prints in quilted cotton. I have some light weight linen and I want to make a dress but the dress would need to be lined. What fabric would you use to line the dress? I want to keep the dress airy and light . Please help me.
I like to line linen with cotton lawn. You can find solid cotton lawn pretty inexpensively, it's lightweight and holds is shape like the linen!
I've made several pieces of apparel from quilting cotton over the years.... After about the 4th wash the fabric fades considerably. And I wash in cold, use vinegar for rinse and always hang to dry. The fading is annoying.
You're right that cotton is prone to fading.
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Does itsh to stitch patterns go on sale sometime
They do! She usually does a flash sale a couple of times a year. I would get on her newsletter so you know when those pop up!
If you use the backing quilting cotton (108 in wide), can you use the cross grain as your straight of grain? 5:05
Ooh! Thanks for the tip!