Nothing makes as big a difference in how your quilt will turn out as the fabric that you choose. You must select the proper weight and texture. In addition, you should take note of washing instructions for each type of material, and try to match like material. You need to make sure the material you choose is color fast, so that the pieces do not “bleed” onto each other when the quilt is laundered. Finally, patterns and colors need to compliment each other so that the design of your quilt is enhanced.

You can use almost any type of material in quilting. Cotton and cotton/polyester blends are the best and most easy to use when first starting out. You need to make sure the weave is tight enough to withstand years of loving use and washing. However, if the weave is too tight it will be difficult to sew. Silks, knits, and crepes can stretch and be slippery to use, making sewing precise points difficult. Thicker specialty materials are also more difficult to use, and combining different types of material is the most difficult of all. Save the specialty fabrics for when you have more experience and start out with cotton or cotton blends that are easy to work with.

There are literally millions of different patterns and color choices for your quilt. The first step is to decide the main color for your quilt. Keep in mind the person you are making the quilt for, and build around that color. You can use white to lighten up your quilt or black to tone down the colors as needed. Picking material for your new quilt project can be overwhelming, so ask for help from the sales people if you need it.