weight issues

[Creative_Cat]

... for fabric, of course. 
I'm planning a scrap quilt and was wondering if anyone had any experience combining fabrics of different weights - in my case, it's calico and khaki. Is this a totally stupid idea? Will something awful happen if do it? Or does it make any difference at all?

Thanks in advance.

[juliasews]

I think it should work. Maybe press the seams tward the calico since it's the lighter-weight fabric.

[Caecilia42]

I just finished a 5'x6' top with clothing fabric (including some heavy twill) mixed with quilters' cotton. Most of my problems were due to inexperience, but I did have some problems that the fabrics stretched different amounts, so I sometimes ended up with pieces that bubbled and didn't align. If you can cut on the grain and not handle things too much, I'm sure you'll be fine. I'm leaving most of my bubbles and off-size squares in because (1) it's my first quilt and (2) it's a really graphic design, so the terrible sewing is not as noticeable.

[lorky]

Also, if you distribute the different fabrics evenly it won't be a problem, but when you quilt it, you'll need to pay attention to the different weights to try and keep it even.

[Creative_Cat]

thanks everybody... stretching, hmm... I was worried about shrinkage too...
I might try light fabric appliques over khaki instead, or maybe use the khakis as a back for something.

[stargazersewer]

a bit of starch sprayed into the calicos will help with the stretching issue.  It will also bulk up the calico a bit so they weights will be a little closer a match.  I say go for it. 
Shawna

[BlondGirl]

My first "real" quilt was a lap sized made of a bag of old clothes that were not worth even of donating.  It had old terrycloth jumpers, double knits, jeans, pieces of a Snugli, etc.  I used a braid pattern (not the kind you sew rectangles and then cut the sides-too wasteful) and I have now used that think like crazy.  It is my sofa quilt and my dog is curled up on it right now.  It contains every kind of fabric I found in that bag.  The only problems I have had with repairs were where I did not sew it down well and the stitching has come loose.  I simply quilted it in the straight seams and put one zig-zag down each column (outline quilting).  The batting is a couple of layers of ugly fabrics I had unsuccessfully dyed in the past. The backing came from an old skirt. 

It looks beautiful. I have washed it in the machine many times. I get compliments every time a visitor comes over. My dog is currently laying on it.  It is perfect. 

When my sister was in home-ec back in the 70's, she made me a baby quilt of a variety of fabric scraps.  Her teacher chastised her heavily and made her feel like the scum of the Earth for that.  She received a bad grade.  But you know what--that quilt was used to death and worn out and loved.  Her advice to me to ignore any naysayers and just go with what pleases me was good advice. 

Here is an image of my latest mixed fabric quilt.  It looks great and it has already been through the washer once.  It contains calicoes, denim, upholstery fabrics, satin, pieces of my scrubs, some cow fabric my sis gave me that I use in every project, polyester, and unidentifiable stuff.  It was given with the promise that when she wears it out, I'll make her another.

So... go for it.  Or, if you are paranoid, make a small sample--a pot holder or something similar.  Finish it off the same way you plan to do the quilt.  Then keep it in your laundry room throw it in the washer every time you do a load.  If it can handle being washed/dried 30 times, it is a successful combination.    When you are done, post a picture of it here for us and tell us about the process and how successful it is. Let us know what you learned.  This topic is a huge debate amongst quilters.