Why The Materials?

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Why the Materials?

A look into the fabric and batting that Vacilando works with

After several years of working with all kinds of fabrics and batting from suppliers, we’ve finally found the right balance of reliable, high quality materials, competitive pricing, and supporting small businesses and U.S. manufacturing.

Why cotton? 100% cotton is smooth and durable, soft and breathable, and it just feels great against the skin. The cotton I use is manufactured by a Los Angeles-based company that has been in business since the 1940s and is widely regarded for their quality fabrics. Their cotton is OEKO-TEX certified and all of their mills meet the highest standards and also process organic fabrics for the international marketplace.

Why linen cotton? Linen cotton is the best of both worlds - it combines the visibly woven look of linen with the versatility and softness of cotton and make an incredibly durable, breathable fabric. The linen cotton we use, which comes in a variety of weaves, adds a depth and visual texture to our quilts that cotton alone can’t quite achieve.

Why linen? Because linen is amazing. Really though. Linen is the strongest natural fiber, making it super durable and long lasting. It's antimicrobial, odor resistant and naturally wicks away moisture, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Quilts made with linen are luxuriously weighty and the fabric softens with use. We work with a California-based company that sources linen from around the world and dyes the fabric in the US. Most of the 100% linen we use is a medium weight 7.5oz Belgian linen.

Why unbleached cotton quilt backs? Unbleached cotton is minimally processed with no dyes - it’s the natural color of the cotton fibers and has tiny flecks of the actual plant spread across the fabric. We believe that if you’re sleeping with something against your skin for 8 hours every night, it should be as natural as possible. The cotton also softens beautifully with use and love, getting cozier with every wash.

What about batting? There are many types of batting out there, but we’ve landed on our favorite - a thick unbleached 100% cotton batting that’s made with cotton that’s grown, processed and manufactured in the U.S. There are no glues, resins, or synthetic materials, just pure U.S.-grown cotton. Our cotton batting is substantial and weighty, but still breathable, making it perfect for year-round use.

What materials do you use in your quilt coats? We use linen cotton and linen rayon for the outer layer of our quilt coats. Linen rayon has all the benefits of linen with the added drape and softness of rayon (a fabric made from bamboo fibers), making it perfect for a wearable quilt. Most of our coats are lined with 100% cotton chambray for softness and breathability. We use a bamboo cotton that drapes nicely and is breathable, giving it a weight that’s ideal for fall and spring temps or for layering in colder weather.

We’re always striving to find a balance between quality, reliability, durability, and sustainability while being cost-conscious in order to make our products both high quality and reasonably priced. If you have any questions about the materials we use, please reach out to us at hello@vacilandostudios.com.


Laura Preston

Designer + maker living, working and traveling in an Airstream trailer since 2013

https://www.vacilandoquilting.co
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