fabric with paper backing - can i use it?

[aldrmctchr]

i got a ton of fabric samples from a local store to use for quilting...great fabrics, but some have paper backing on them,,,some are peeling rt off, some are not budging. Since it will be on the inside and once washed will sort of disintegrate, can i just sew them with the paper on...most of them are 1 to <1 inch width on a given square i cut out. THANKS

ps...my name is jen/aldrmctchr and i am a new member and will post in the new member section soon...i need to get this fabric out of my trunk lol!!!!

[Sandy Navas]

Re: fabric with paper backing - can i use it?

Jen - I have scads of those fabric samples but I don't sew with the paper on them. Most I have I've been able to pull the paper off and on the ones I can't I plan to use them for something else (they would do well inside a tote perhaps). I have heard some people dampen them and the paper will pull off. I don't have the patience for that, but if I had some that I truly wanted to use I'd try soaking a bunch at once.

One thing you should consider - a lot of these fabrics aren't just cotton, so they may or may not wash up okay if used in a quilt - although I have done a couple crazy quilts using them with the intent that they will definitely be dry cleaned.

Don't know if this helps or not. Have fun with your samples. My sister just made the most unusual and very attractive purse from some she had.


By the way, welcome to the forum!!!!

[Dragonfly]

Re: fabric with paper backing - can i use it?

As Sandy said, probably not a good idea to leave the paper on, soaking them in some warm water should help lift the paper. If it doesn't then you probably wouldn't want to use it anyway, it must be some awful glue rather than water based glue.

[aldrmctchr]

Re: fabric with paper backing - can i use it?

does it have to be cotton only? or just because of the way the different fabrics are cleaned and shrink? i am extremely new and have been googling a lot, watching tutorials, etc...my mom passed away in september and i want to make a few quilts with her clothes, then i had the chance to get these samples too

i think the ones that won't work for quilts i will use for bags like you said above, when i figure out how to do them lol - i think i found a pattern that i can follow...i am a graphic artist and very craft bit have never really went too far into sewing, but i do have a machine...shoot i will have to read the instructions again to learn how to thread it


thanks

[Sandy Navas]

Re: fabric with paper backing - can i use it?

does it have to be cotton only? or just because of the way the different fabrics are cleaned and shrink? i am extremely new and have been googling a lot, watching tutorials, etc...my mom passed away in september and i want to make a few quilts with her clothes, then i had the chance to get these samples too

i think the ones that won't work for quilts i will use for bags like you said above, when i figure out how to do them lol - i think i found a pattern that i can follow...i am a graphic artist and very craft bit have never really went too far into sewing, but i do have a machine...shoot i will have to read the instructions again to learn how to thread it


thanks

There are a whole lot of free patterns out there for totes. Start simple and work your way up. Your crafty/artsy mind will help you a lot.

[Dragonfly]

Re: fabric with paper backing - can i use it?

does it have to be cotton only?

It does not have to cotton only, but is best if it can be. Some other fabric types may need to be stabilised before being used as they can be stretchy and/or flimsy/slippery to work with. There is the added issue of different laundering needs but many quilts are made of mixed fabrics.