This blog post shares information about the Cotton Slubs from my Panache line of fabrics.
Here they all are, on the bolts - 9 in total.
The 6 screen prints are 54" wide - so that is 10" - 12" wider than regular patchwork cottons and the plains are 45" wide, which is just a little wider than the usual.
The 54" wide screen prints are pictured here; there is a large blousy rose and an ikat spot.
Both print designs are screen printed which creates a perfectly imperfect fabric print. They are designed to look a little bit weathered and not exactly perfect, which is part of their charm.
The spot is designed to look like ikat weaving, which is when the dyed threads shift after the fabric is taken off the loom, giving the pattern feathered edges.
The plain cotton slubs come in black, off white and grey. The grey is made of black warp thread and white weft threads, creating a lovely textured fabric.
You can see the slubby part of the weave in this photo, it is the thicker part of the woven threads.
These fabrics are 100% cotton and are a heavier texture than regular patchwork cottons. They can still be used in conventional patchwork sewing, as I have done with the French Connection quilt, pictured below.
I have combined the regular Panache wovens with the cotton slubs to create a quilt reminiscent of an antique French quilt that is patched with ticking and scraps.
The grey plain cotton slub makes up the first border and the tri-colour screen print floral has been used on the wide final border.
I used my walking foot when piecing this quilt, helping to prevent movement of the heavier weight fabric. I did not use any spray starch.
I was a bit concerned about the shrinkage and dye running with these fabrics so I did a little test.
I cut 4 ½" squares of all of the cotton slubs.
I then washed them, by hand, in a bucket of cold water, which is how I would pre-wash fabrics, if I needed to.
You can see that the water in the bucket has not discoloured at all and there is no dye run onto the white spots. So the colours are fast, which is great news.
They were hung on the clothesline to dry.
Then I pressed and measured them.
The printed fabrics have shrunk a tiny bit; less than 1/8th". The plains have not shrunk but they have frayed more.
My conclusion is that they will behave the same way as regular patchwork cottons, so whether you pre-wash or not, is entirely up to you! But at least we all know now.
Because these fabrics are woven with thicker warp and weft threads, it makes them fun to fray for projects. Amongst the Panache Projects I have used a fraying technique in 7 different ones. There is a video on my YouTube channel about creating perfect fraying that you can view here.
Here is a little sneak peak of one of them. These are 'Bags of Style' and as you can see, I couldn't stop at just one!
This bag you really can make in a day, even with a lunch break. They have a zipper closure and 2 internal pockets, making them a really practical and useful tote.
You can see the fraying on the trim around the top of the bag.
I will post more about these in my blog on Bags with Panache.
I think the weight of these cotton slubs make them ideal for throw pillows. You can even fringe the edges for extra texture.
Since I'm writing about the cotton slubs I should share this free quilt pattern.
A combination of slubs and wovens with the patchwork pieced woven squares on the back, this Panache quilt is a showstopper.
The blousy florals really shine in the centre of these quilts and I can't decide which colour way I like the best, so I'm just going to keep both!
And who said woven checks and stripes are masculine - this quilt is pretty and girly in my book!!
You can download the free pattern here.
So that's it for cotton slubs - please show me your projects once the fabric arrives in stores April 2024. It will be here before we know it.
Happy sewing,
Jenelle