where to get nice calico?

for various reasons i havent done any patchwork in ages, but recently started up again. i went to my stash and thought i would do a scrap quilt, i tend to use calico as a background contrast in such quilts.

I didnt have any in my stash so i went to my local quilt shop and bought some. i should of realised when i bought it, after washing it ( iprewash all my fabric) its just not pressing very well. its just not a soft as fabric i usually use, its a bit more stiff than everything else in my stash.

can anyone recomend a website that sells calico thats nice and soft and presses well?

and for that matter a website for patchwork fabric in general that has good customer service?

thanks

Hi Julie, nice to see you back!

I have some soft calico which I purchased from Just Sew in Penrith. They have a website - www.justsewpenrith.co.uk. Very friendly and helpful on the phone too.

Fiona.

Hi Julie, nice to hear from you!

Fiona is right, Just Sew is a good shop, it's where Tessa used to work. I might follow you there though, I love calico, but I have about 20m of the same sort of stiff stuff that you seem to have, and I am avoiding buying any until I've used it up!

OK I know I have said this before, but it does work.

Put your damp calico in a plastic bag in the freezer until next day, take out, now press with hot iron.

Watch those creases fly out the window.

Don't ask me why it just works.

jan

HI all, there are some calico's that need to be soooo thoroughly washed before used because of a sizing in them. I mistakenly used some for a background colour in a quilt years ago and didn't wash the calico, but when I went to iron the blocks that I had finished, the calico looked scorched. I was told it was the sizing in the fabric and should have washed it first.

Jan, your freezer idea sounds intriguing...should give it a try.

Julie, the phone number for Just Sew is 01768 866791 and talk to Hazel or Pat.....they can do wonders for you.....and if there is anything I can do from here...please let me know...I'm in the shop at least twice a week.

Tessa x

thanks for the replies, i will try washing it a few more times in case it needs that, then try the freezer idea.

however buying some more will have to wait now, as got bills to pay. i do have a few WIP to work on in the meantime as well as knitting and crochet projects, so will be kept occupied

i have a car now (didnt used to) so when i do get cash i may go to the shop so i can see fun2do in carlisle is nice but always nice to have options

thanks for the replies guys

Hello

I have been given loads of fabric what I think is Calico. It is cream with a small fleck in it. It is soft.

Could this be Calico and what would you use it for. I was thinking of doing dresden plates on the top.

Bye Pam

That's funny Pam, I have a dresden plate on calico waiting to made in a cushion today! I use it a lot for background and backing

ah tbh i think its the fabric guys, its thicker than most quilting fabric

That's what mines like Julie, but it is good for appliquing onto.