Cotton vs. Other Fabrics for Quilts

My post, Cotton vs. Polyester Blend in Quiltmaking, has drawn quite a few comments since it was written.  I’ve enjoyed the various opinions quilters and fabric artists have expressed.

Image: sxc.hu

The early quilters used mainly cotton, wool or linsey-woolsey fabrics because that’s what was available.  In the latter part of the 1900s, polyester and poly/cotton fabrics became available and were popular.  However, the traditional quilters looked with horror upon this new innovation and felt to be a “purist,” you must use solely cotton.

Many quilters still prefer cotton, so much so that it’s difficult to find in some quilt fabric stores, I’ve been told.  Others like a combination and still others prefer simply poly/cotton fabrics for their work.

Here are some comments I received:

Cyndi says: The more options, the better! Bring it on!  Seriously though, although I tend to prefer pure cotton (many of my fabrics are plain muslin that I paint or dye), I love variety. I agree with your assessment that cotton was used because that’s what was available. Now, however…

According to Gina: I made a quilt with the theme being the very beautiful colors that appear in the high desert behind the Sandias in New Mexico in the late summer and early fall. To find the colors I needed, I had to use synthetic blends. I think one should be free to use whatever is needed, but I would also say that some synthetics tend to fray more than the pure cotton. Watch out for some that also will not stand up to wear as well as neighboring pieces.

What has been your experience with various fabrics?  Do you have any preferences?