Ask Purl Bee: Linen Patchwork

 

This is our inaugural edition of Ask Purl Bee, our dedicated problem-solving column that will appear regularly on the Purl Bee.  You send the questions, we find the answers. Here goes!

LINEN PATCHWORK

As a lapsed quilter, I feel a bit out of my depth with the project I've taken on and would love some Purl Bee assurance.  I'm going to piece a simple top for a duvet cover out of Amy Butler fabrics.  I have a large quantity of vintage linen tablecloths and I want to use that for the back of the duvet cover.  Do you foresee any trouble for me in matching these two different-weighted fabrics in this project?  Any advice on how to minimize trouble would be welcome.  The duvet cover will be king size and the duvet itself isn't particularly heavy.  

All I can think about is the softness of linen to sleep under.  Can't be beat.  I'm willing to fiddle to make this work.  :-)

Thanks!
Amy

Dear Amy,

First of all, we are honored to have you as a reader!  Hey everybody, Amy is the force behind Knitty.com, a little online magazine that happens to be one of the greatest sources for knitting and blogging inspiration on land or on web.  It's one of our favorite reads, and a few other people seem to like it, too!  Okay, enough gushing.  

Linen is a gorgeous option for a duvet cover, whether you use it alongside lighter cottons or on its own. Using vintage tablecloths is a wonderful way to recycle favorite pieces that may have damaged areas or incongruous shapes.  With a few simple precautions, your linens should have a long and illustrious second career as a bed warmer and will work beautifully with your cotton fabrics.  Here are our suggestions:

1.  Wash and dry all of your fabric, including the linen, before you begin.  This will prevent any nasty surprises at the Laundromat.  Wash your fabric the same way you plan on laundering it in the future.  We recommend machine washing on a regular cycle with warm water, and tumble dry on a regular setting.

2.  When sewing with fabrics of varying weights always choose thread that is as fine or is lighter in weight than the most delicate fabric in your patchwork.  This will keep the thread from damaging your more lightweight fabrics. For your fabrics we recommend Gutermann's 100% Cotton Thread.

3.   When your duvet cover is complete, the final step is to wash and dry it.  Once it is dry, you may want to press the seams again so that they lay nicely.  

We look forward to seeing photos of your project when it's done!


ABOUT LINEN

Ancient and versatile, linen derives from the stem of the flax plant, cultivated by humans for over 10,000 years. Linen's long structural fibers are its source of strength and shine as a fabric or yarn.  It makes for durable, absorbent fabric that grows softer with use.     

FIND LINEN AT PURL!

Linen is an elegant yarn for knitting.  View our selection of linen yarn, including Louet Sales Euroflax in twenty luminous colors.

Linen fabric adds supple texture to patchwork and sewing projects.  Our exclusive linen and cotton blend Globalweave fabric from India feature beautiful embroidery and block printing.  Yuwa's linen and linen/cotton fabrics are drapey and soft; perfect for summer sewing. If you are looking for a fun linen project, visit our Jaipur Tote Bag Project Journal!

Please send your questions to us by visiting Ask Purl Bee. 

Update on April 25, 2007 by purl bee

We just want to call attention to a good tip from our friend Liesl:

It might help to finish the seam allowances or even to sew the seams using a stabilizer to ensure that they stay put better. Also, I think I might, personally, use a wider seam allowance for the linen, just to make sure...

Thanks to everyone for the great response to this post.  Keep those ideas coming!

Comments

[Alice]

WOW Great beginning to a great concept. LOVED the additional info beyond the answer to the original question. You are on my Google Reader so I can keep learning...Thanks!

[Liesl]

I think I might be a little concerned about seams on the linen; it has a greater tendancy to "slip" than cotton, especially if it's somewhat loosely woven. I wonder if might help to finish the seam allowances or even to sew the seams using a stabilizer to ensure that they stay put better. Also, I think I might, personally, use a wider seam allowance for the linen, just to make sure...

[purl bee]

Dear Amy + Everyone,
Please take note of Liesl's comment above, she is an expert sewer! Thanks Liesl! --pb

[amy]

Hi! Thank you so much for the brilliant information [Liesl's comments noted]. The fabric is actually unused yardage of tightly woven vintage linen. I'll be sure to wash as directed and was planning on zigzagging the seam allowances, if that wasn't a bad idea. My instinct was to use heavier thread, so I'm really glad I asked you guys! You've saved me potential hearbreak.

All fabrics in hand. En route to home where the Bernina resides. I hope to have something to show you soon! Thanks again!

[Kim]

I'm currently cuddled in a patch work duvet cover I made out of a variety of vintage linens about seven years ago. It's gotten a lot of wear and tear and I've had to do many patching jobs. I feel like the seams totally take a beating. I can be pretty rough with duvets to get the down in place and since there's no quilting to keep the top layer in place, every time I make the bed, sit down or even attempt to smooth a wrinkle I seem to rip a new hole. I adore all the new patches though, because they immediately broadcast the life of my duvet and how much it has been loved.

I'm sure linen will be much stronger than the thin cottons I used. Thanks purl bee for such great tips! Hopefully my next recycing job will be little stronger!

[Sarah]

What about using a foundation piecing technique with unbleached cotton as a base (instead of real muslin)? Would that help reduce the stress on the linen seams?