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Monday, April 18, 2011

Home Dec?

I picked up these three Jessica Jones prints at my local quilt shop this weekend (Sarah's Fabrics in Lawrence). I've loved Jessica's fabric forever and when I stumbled on to these locally I had to have them. My only issue with them is that they are home dec. I'd love to recover my couch and a few chairs in them, but a quilt? I use home dec in my quilts, but it's not my preference.

What do you think of home dec in quilts? If you like the print, do you buy it anyway and use it?
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29 comments:

  1. NicholeApril 18, 2011 at 8:34 AM

    I don't use home dec in quilts - too stiff for my taste. I do however love to make bags from home dec prints that I love. They are the perfect weight and I love to have something fun with a graphic print to carry all my stuff. Love those Jessica Hones print. I've seen them online but never in person. Great find, can't wait to see what you do with them!

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  2. MaryApril 18, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    I have used some Amy Butler Nigella for a quilt back once but I also prefer not to use home dec weight. It has nothing to do with the weight of the fabric or anything...I am just scared that FMQ though a heavier fabric will make my machine act up. I had a lot of issues with my first "nice" sewing machine (traded that in and they gave me a full refund because I was told it was a lemon) and I am very gun shy about using different materials.

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  3. RuthApril 18, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    No idea re: home dec fabrics in quilts - I've always stuck to quilting fabric, but I LOVE those prints!

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  4. Kelly O.April 18, 2011 at 9:29 AM

    I use home dec for my backings for my quilts sometimes...I find it gives a bit more weight(adds warmth)...

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  5. MegApril 18, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    It's not my preference, certainly, though I have done it. Some seem more supple than others, and aren't too odd when mixed with quilting cottons. I tend to save home-dec weight fabrics for things like market bags, backings to pot holders, hot pads and pillows, where something a little more sturdy is fitting.

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  6. Kay StephensonApril 18, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    For me it depends on how the quilt will be used. If it's for a bed or a throw, I find home decorator fabric too stiff and heavy, but for a wall hanging, I love it. It seems to add another layer of visual texture. I like using linen for the same reason. And I totally agree about using hom dec for bags and other accessories. I do love these prints too.
    www.stitchingtimes.blogspot.com

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  7. VickiApril 18, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    I have used home dec a couple times when it was just the right fabric. I've also used baby corduroy in a quilt and a bit of denim here and there. :)

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  8. UnknownApril 18, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    I'd be unlikely to use them in a quilt, but they're nice for bags.

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  9. mamadevlinApril 18, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    I don't use them in quilts just a little too stiff. But they make wonderful totes and bags!! And a girl can never have enough bags! Love those prints, I may just have to make a trip to Sarah's...

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  10. MadeByMeaghanApril 18, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    I'm trying to get over my distrust of mixing fabric types/weights in quilts. I have often thought home dec would be nice as a backing though - I love a heavy blanket.

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  11. AnonymousApril 18, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    I have used home dec fabrics in my quilts and I really like them. I have only used them for the backing though; I would imagine that the seams would be to bulky for piecing? When I used it I was making a picnic quilt, and I used flannel instead of batting for the sandwich. This makes it a lot easier to quilt through. Hope this helps!

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  12. calicodaisyApril 18, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    I have that fabric, and it washes really well and softens up. So, make a quilt, and it will get cozier over time. -- michele

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  13. KristaApril 18, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    I ordered a FQ of Amy Butler Nigella by mistake not knowing it was home decor weight. I've been afraid to use it for fear that it would do funny things to my machine when I freemotioned through it. I'm saving it for a bag or something instead.

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  14. Catskill QuilterApril 18, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    I have not mixed in Home Dec prints yet, but recently bought some scraps (!!!) that had home dec included, so I am about to try it. I am thinking that if I am sure about my seam allowance, and use a nice tight straight stitch, they should work! Once they have been washed, they have a very nice 'hand.'

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  15. two hipposApril 18, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    I rarely use home-dec weights in quilts, unless they're very satin-y. However, I've used Jessica Jones fabric for bags, and it's perfect for them.

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  16. ~yolandaApril 18, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    I also have only used home decor for bags. I just finished a bee block that had quilting cotton, flannel, lot's of home decor and a bunch of small clothing scraps of various fabrics. I am curious to see the block owners completed quilt.

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  17. ValerieApril 18, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    I don't love home decs in quilts, but they make great tote bags...

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  18. LinzeeApril 18, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    I was skeptical, but the when it was just the right color I decided to give a home dec fabric a try. It seemed fine in the end. (It's the maing blue and green fabric in these photos. http://pearlthesquirrel.blogspot.com/2011/03/oooo-baby-love.html)

    Doesn't seem to bother the babies!

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  19. Scrap,Quilt, PreachApril 19, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    I very seldom find prints i like in the home dec weight, so I have little chance to use them. That said, a few month ago I was at my long arm quilters, who was just taking off the machine the most gorgeous quilt top, all done in home dec/upholstery fabrics. It had deep rich jewel tones with lots of texture. The maker was a new quilter who thought she would use up scraps not realizing most folks use cottons. Got to applaud her for thriftiness and breaking the rules when you see how well it turned out.

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  20. AnonymousApril 19, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    I have the same problem. I had gotten Heather Ross's Far Far away 2 in the heavier cotton ( cant think of the name off hand ) for a quilt and didn't realize when ordering. It was just too stiff for my taste for a quilt. I used a little for a baby blanket with chenille on the opposite side and bibs but am unsure of what to do with the copius amounts I ordered. ?
    Great fabrics though.
    Curtains or placemats would be nice

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  21. ElizabethApril 19, 2011 at 5:36 PM

    I am in the process of making a picnic blanket out of Joel Dewberry Ginseng home decor, and it will be double sided. I'm thinking it would be a horrible idea to try and quilt it on my cheap-o sewing machine but I'll probably end up giving it a try regardless. I'll be sure to let you know what happens!

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  22. AnonymousApril 19, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    My pillow back was perfect in home dec weight and aprons are wonderful as well. I have also made tote bags (in fact, I only make them from home dec or linen). A quilt, though . . . you will have to let me knwo how it goes.

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  23. KateKwiltzApril 20, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    Hey, I made pajamas out of an old slipcover, so I'm up for using home dec anywhere! :)

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  24. Live a Colorful LifeApril 20, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    Have you seen Jessica's new line, Outside Oslo? It's really great. I have quite a few of Jess's fabrics (and lucky me, I'm also good friends with her mother, who is super cool as well). Anyway...I usually just use home dec for pillows, bags, or recovering chairs, etc. Just too stiff for quilts, in my opinion...

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  25. UnknownApril 20, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    I am Debra Linker - Sarah's friend who wants to talk to you about setting up a show/book signing in McKinney (greater N. Dallas). I can be reached directly at debra@debralinker.com or 206 660 8046. Can't WAIT to work something out with you!!

    Debra

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  26. UnknownApril 20, 2011 at 5:48 PM

    I have made lots of bags from Home Dec fabric, but have never used it in a quilt.

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  27. VivrenApril 20, 2011 at 8:37 PM

    I've made an entire quilt (front and backing) out of home dec weight material from Anna Maria Horner. The product was fantastic, a great winter blanket. Nice and heavy and thick.

    I'm planning another one as soon as I can afford to buy that much home dec weight material again...

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  28. AnonymousApril 22, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    No home dec in quilts.... if the pattern does not come in quilt weight then I will find some other pattern that I like as well. This is not the 1970's, there are plenty of quilt fabrics out there.

    Home dec fabric is an attempt to get more folks into quilt shops, i.e. younger gals who are still decorating their nests every three years....while I have always tried to stay abreast of the new trends.... I have decided not to embrace this one, even once...

    Fine if the industry wants to try something to boost sales but they will do it without me. Just hope they do not loose me as an interested customer as I have enough fabric to sew happily for decades with no new purchases.

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  29. MightyMomMay 9, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    I've seen double knit quilts...seriously! if you can use that you can use anything!!! be a nice hefty warm quilt!

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So, what are you thinking? (please don't put links in your comments...the spam police like to grab them and hide them away! if you want to share a link, feel free to email me.