Cotton Broadcloth vs 100 % Cotton

[Kgrammiecaz]

I just purchased a small amount of cotton broadcloth. It seems a bitt rougher than cotton. I am not really understanding the difference in these two. What really is broadcloth and can we use it the same as we use our cottons.

[K. McEuen]

Most broadcloth is a blend 50/50 poly/cotton or 60/40 poly cotton. I have gotten 100% cotton broadcloth a couple times and used it in quilts and it worked fine, but mine felt pretty much the same as the other cotton fabrics.

The blended broadcloth tends to be thinner and can pill and stretch on you.

[songbird857]

I've used broadcloth - I believe it was a blend. I read that it would be good for napkins - I hated it! IDK, I just didn't like the feel of it, nor the thin-ness of the finished napkin.

[jjkaiser]

Yes I think broadcloth is a little thinner. Recently I needed some black for a backing and talked to the clerk at Joanne's--somebody that actually knew something about quilting. She unfolded broadcloth next to some high end 100% cotton and you could see a lot more light (just from the ceiling lights in the store) coming through the broadcloth. She said she thought the batting would beard it's way through the broadcloth too much so I didn't buy it.

[asta]

Yes I think broadcloth is a little thinner. Recently I needed some black for a backing and talked to the clerk at Joanne's--somebody that actually knew something about quilting. She unfolded broadcloth next to some high end 100% cotton and you could see a lot more light (just from the ceiling lights in the store) coming through the broadcloth. She said she thought the batting would beard it's way through the broadcloth too much so I didn't buy it.

It is always nice to have a real quilter at the store to give real advice. My local JoAnn's only has one quilter who works and I try to catch her when I can.

[Meghan Plamondon]

With the amount of work I put into making a quilt, I dont mind spending a bit more to make sure I am using the best fabric I can afford.

[andralynaa]

One thing I learned about cotton/poly broadcloth is that you have to watch the temperature on your iron if you press it. It shrinks if the iron is too hot. I learned this the hard way...

[Oleg]

My Jo-Ann's has the symphony broadcloth right next to the quilter's cotton. People often put the bolts back in the wrong spot. I learned that the hard way when I was looking for the perfect shade of yellow for my quilt & bought a quarter yard. When I got home, I noticed the cloth looked different from all the others I bought. Checked the receipt, and sure enough that was a broadcloth with a cotton/poly blend. Threw it in my stash drawer for some other project done the line (non-quilting.) Luckily I had some yellow left over from a baby quilt that I was able to use, although it was off by just a couple of shades.

[Kgrammiecaz]

I do not think I will be using the broadcloth yards I received (just a couple) in quilts. Too rough for me. I will see how it is when quilted. It might be good for a bag for groceries, so I may make one or two of Jennys bags with it.