Cotton Theory

15 years ago

I was watching an old Sewing With Nancy today and she was starting a series on the "Cotton Theory" and I was wondering if any of you have ever tried it. It was featured in one of my mags once and I did a sq. just to see if I could. I seemed a little stiff but the idea was interesting as it is an other form of Quilt as you go and the projects are reversable. Jayne

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Comments (15)

jennifer_in_va
15 years ago
This process was done in a workshop that my guild offered, and I've seen demos done at quilt shows. I even bought the video to watch one day!!

I recall them being very, very stiff. But I've always thought I'd make something the size of a rug to go in front of my kitchen sink and/or frig. It would also be good for placemats I think. Not good as a true quilt.
mary_c_gw
15 years ago
I like the look, but not the feel of these types of quilts. They are heavy, dense, and stiff. I can understand the idea of having a reversible quilt, but for me, no. It's not a method I would use.
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chickadee__3a
15 years ago
Last year I did an evening workshop on Cotton Theory. Our project was a hot mat which I enjoyed doing. Like the rest of you, I would not want a whole quilt done this way. It is very stiff. I saw some finished placemats and they seemed all right. Jennifer, I think the idea of a rug is great. I've just finished redecorating a spare bedroom and I think I may try one when I get all my other projects caught up.
gerizone5
15 years ago
I've heard of the cotton theory but don't really know what it is. Why is it so stiff?
csackett
15 years ago
I bought two patterns, but have yet to use them. I was thinking about a tablerunner and placemats.
Carolyn
jennifer_in_va
15 years ago
Geri~ This is a quilt as you go process and there are so many seams and quilting lines as you go along that there is very little 'fluff' left from the batting. Regardless (I think) of the type of batting used, there are seams/quilting lines almost every 1/2" or so...thus, no fluff.
nanajayne
Original Author
15 years ago
I think when I have thought this through a bit more that I may try a table runner or some placemats. I think if one wanted a bed spread instead of a quilt that this might be ok but I know I wouldn't like it for a quilt.
It would be a good way to use up scraps of batting as the connecting pc. is only 1" wide. ( I think).
Something different to try.
Jayne
macbeaner
14 years ago
My local quilt shop offers classes on this. Looking at the couple of quilts that have been done, they've been gorgeous and don't seem to be stiff.
nanajayne
Original Author
14 years ago
I have looked at the Cotton Theory book #2 but it is expensive if I don't use it. I saw part of a segment that Nancy Zimmerman had on the subject which used conventional quilt blocks. I like that idea. I have a pattern that I tried from a magazine but but too complicated to do what I wish to do. I will keep it on the back burner for not. Jayne
cmc_97
14 years ago
Sewing with Nancy has a free video website, and you can watch some of these TV shows online for free. I assume the available videos change over time, but right now, you can watch 3 Cotton Theory Quilting episodes. It's an interesting technique; I'd certainly test it with a table runner or possibley a lap quilt before I tried a bed quilt.

Click the Quilting tab at the top to see SWN shows related to quilting.
Sewing With Nancy Video Website

Here's a link to a free Cotton Theory pattern for a placemat. This was a project on the America Quilts Creatively TV show.
Cotton Theory Placemat pattern (opens a PDF)

CMC

Here is a link that might be useful: Sewing With Nancy TV
lindaoh_gw
14 years ago
I saw a similar method at the last quilt show I attended. It's called Fun and Done. Bayside Quilting has a video demonstrating how it's done. I bought a pattern and the templates at the show.
Linda OH

Here is a link that might be useful: Fun and Done quilts
rosajoe_gw
14 years ago
There was a post of beautiful placemats made from a pattern in one of her books.
It was beautiful!!!!
I tried to find it and it doesn't come up with a search under anything I have tried. I think it was about a year ago.
I remember the person saying they were very time comsuming and used a lot of thread.
But they were lovely!!!!!!!!!
Rosa
mamateri2_aol_com
13 years ago
Several years ago one of my quilt magazines had a bedspread made with the Cotton Theory. This was the first I had hear of it. Does anyone know what magazine it was in. I have so many magazines that I don't know where to start looking. Thanks.
barbara_l
13 years ago
First time I ever heard of this. Interesting concept, and if I were to do this, it would be in placemats only. Wondered how this would wash up? Would it lose its shape?
nanajayne
Original Author
13 years ago
Sorry can't help with the magazine but from my experience it would make a VERY heavy quilt which isn't very cuddly. I think it would be great for placemats, table runners and she has reversable jacket that seem interesting. I have made a sample to see if I understood the concept and found there was a learing curve. Jayne