Mixing silk and cotton?

[Betty J.]

I have developed a quilt design using a Dover "Peasant Designs" book that I am thinking of making the main background in dupioni silk. It was pretty thoroughly inspired by Tom Russell's TQS show, because I want to add lots of beads and possibly even sequins to this design. The thing is, it has appliqued birds and flowers on it and so I was wondering what you all think of using cotton appliques on dupioni silk, or should I get some dupioni silk pieces for the appliques while I'm at the quilt show in Philadelphia next week? I will probably end up hand washing it in cold water after I make it, but not sure about that either. Do any of you have experience using silk with cotton combination?

[Betty J.]

If it is going to be washed after it is made, I would definitely advise prewashing the fabrics, otherwise go for it. There really is no reason not to mix different fibres - particularly in a decorative piece - look at all the antique embroideries around, they are mixtures of fibres, usually linenground & silk embroidery & sometimes wool as well.

[Betty J.]

Rosemary, That's a very good point about antique items. OK, but maybe I'll pick up a few pieces of silk at the PA show anyway, just to be sure. :wink: :lol: :lol:

[Hannelore N.]

Betty Jo, go and mix at your heart's content! It's such a lot of fun! There is no reason at all why you should not use different types of fabric together. It actually adds an extra dimension to your piece. All fabrics reflect light differently, so you will get a subtle contrast when using silks with cottons, or linens, or wool, or (quilt police turn away, please) synthetics, or if you overlay a fabric with a sheer, like organza.

I used a silk jacquard for the body of a dress and a standard 100% cotton for the bodice. This dress has been washed very carefully by hand and then drip-dried on a hangar. See how it looks:



The only limitation is the way the piece will get washed or cleaned, so testing all fabrics is always a good idea.

[Nancy R.]

What a cute dress! The different textures of the fabrics really works well. Thanks for sharing!

Nancy

[Betty J.]

Oh that is so pretty! It's very close to the color I have in mind for the background of my folk-art piece. Here's my design:

[Nancy R.]

That'll be beautiful!!

Nancy

[Betty J.]

Thanks Nancy. I hope I can make it come out as pretty as the design. It's all Tom Russell's fault.

[Rita C.]

BJ, that's a beautiful design. I was just looking through Deborah Kemball's book Beautiful Botanicals and she seems to use a mixture of farics as well from silks to prints, batiks and commercial dyes. Personally I love the batiks for needle turn applique because they unravel less than others and can be manipulated easily. Actually, I don't know if you said that you were doing needle turn? Deborah also mixes the thread she uses although if you are quilting the silk by machine I guess you will use silk thread? Anyway, it looks like my kind of project and now that I have her book out you have got me going again. Thanks.

[Rita C.]

if you are quilting the silk by machine I guess you will use silk thread?

Nah! for a picture you can use any old thing, even fishing twine - if that gives you the look you want :wink:

Bj I will be very interested to see your interpretation of a 20's-30's interpretation of a psudo jacobean cum indian chintz design.

[Betty J.]

BJ, that's a beautiful design. I was just looking through Deborah Kemball's book Beautiful Botanicals and she seems to use a mixture of farics as well from silks to prints, batiks and commercial dyes. Personally I love the batiks for needle turn applique because they unravel less than others and can be manipulated easily. Actually, I don't know if you said that you were doing needle turn? Deborah also mixes the thread she uses although if you are quilting the silk by machine I guess you will use silk thread? Anyway, it looks like my kind of project and now that I have her book out you have got me going again. Thanks.

Rita, I do not have that book but it's been on my wishlist for a while. Maybe this is a good reason to buy it. Raveling is an issue no matter what kind of applique one uses, I think and batik is a good choice now that you mention it. I will be appliqueing by machine, but I am likely to turn the edges. I will be machine quilting it also...thread to be determined, but I often use silk for my quilting. Anyway, we'll see how this goes.

[Betty J.]

if you are quilting the silk by machine I guess you will use silk thread?

Nah! for a picture you can use any old thing, even fishing twine - if that gives you the look you want :wink:

Bj I will be very interested to see your interpretation of a 20's-30's interpretation of a psudo jacobean cum indian chintz design.

Is that what this is? :lol: :lol: I was thinking Jacobean--should look great with lots of beads though don't you think? I don't think I will be using fishing twine, :lol: :lol: but yes, any old thing that makes the right look. :wink:

[Rita C.]

Well BJ it doesn't look like you need that book but it is beautiful and has lots of lovely projects. So even as a spring-board for the imagination it's a lovely book to have. Good luck with the project I really look forward to seeing it when you are done. Now don't you have some clothes to make? I know you have the bottom half covered but I don't think topless will go down so well in Philly! :lol:

[Betty J.]

Well BJ it doesn't look like you need that book but it is beautiful and has lots of lovely projects. So even as a spring-board for the imagination it's a lovely book to have. Good luck with the project I really look forward to seeing it when you are done. Now don't you have some clothes to make? I know you have the bottom half covered but I don't think topless will go down so well in Philly! :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: I do, and this afternoon is my grandson's craft time we spend together. Lovely day even though it's overcast. Cheers.

[Norma H.]

Most everything on this subject is said already, but I want to add that the material that gives you the texture you want is the right for your project. I don't understand why people are so shy to using silk. It's much more strong than you think. I have been dyeing silk scarfs and my first is about 12 years old. I wash it in the machine with my other clothes and it behaves very well.
As for mixing I just finishes a quilt where the background fabric is silk and the appliqued items are cotton. It is quilted with invisible thread, cotton thread and polyester thread, so I mix as my heart says to do. I wish I could post it, but I have not taken the photos yet and I need daylight to do it. I hope to do it tomorrow. The quilt is a birthday present and will be delivered on Sunday.