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From: Clarkia
Date: 03-19-2006, 03:06 AM (1 of 10)
I have been doing a lot of searching lately for fabrics for a swap. I am making an I Spy quilt for my grand daughter for Christmas. I was given a list of quilt shop quality fabric manufacturers to look for. However, I have been told by quilt shop owners that some brands have both good and second quality fabrics. Some of the fabrics on the 'not to buy' list seem actually to be real good fabrics, and vice versa. I am beginning to think that you look at the actual fabric as you have it in your hand, and not which company manufactures it. 
Kay
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User: Clarkia
Member since: 05-05-2003 Total posts: 23 |
From: Dustbunny01
Date: 03-19-2006, 03:54 AM (2 of 10)
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I also run into the same problem, YOu can find good quilting fabrics at Wal-mart from time to time.. from the $1-$2 tables. you can also run into really bad fabrics also, you can tell a good fabric from the feel and the weight. DB
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User: Dustbunny01
Member since: 11-11-2005 Total posts: 159 
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From: carman
Date: 03-19-2006, 11:41 AM (3 of 10)
this is a HUGE can of worms  the easiest way to describe it i think is, thread count, just like sheets, they may look the same and they have very good cheap sheets, but sleeping on a high thread count flannel sheet, well ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.  up here we can pay as high as 18-20 dollars a meter, and walmart or fabric land may have it for 10 or 12 dollars, i always do the feel check and BEWARE, sometimes they put so many chemicals on them to stiffen them up, when you get home and wash the fabric, it is not even good for a rag.
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User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692 
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From: SandyGirl
Date: 03-19-2006, 12:10 PM (4 of 10)
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I think there should be "truth in labeling". Why aren't the mills required to post the thread count on the bolts of fabric esp if they expect you to pay top dollar at the "quilt shops"\????? Thread counts should be required. I stopped by a quilt shop the otherday; a destination shop to be sure, and on one of their endcaps they had the Cranston VIP collection of the Elvis prints and the price was over $9.00!!!! Head to Walmart for the same stuff!! Cheaper also...of course buyer beware but still............... |
User: SandyGirl
Member since: 09-16-2005 Total posts: 97 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 03-19-2006, 01:10 PM (5 of 10)
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I have to feel the fabric. I am lucky to have tons of fabric shops within and hours drive, even an half hour drive. I have to be able to touch it, rub it through my fingers. I have seen some Moda fabric for 21.00 a yard. It was beautiful. Then I saw the same Moda fabric for 10.00 a yard. The print was the same, but not the touch. It wasn't as rich feeling. I am not a big quilter. I have made a few, but it isn't my love of sewing. Making my DGD clothes is what I mostly do. Even in their clothes I need to be able to like the feel of the fabric.
Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 03-19-2006, 02:43 PM (6 of 10)
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I don't buy anything made of fabric I cannot touch. (clothes or not) I'm lucky to have a great quilt/sewing shop in my town that has THE best fabric and she often gives discounts, specials and her Anniversary party. (food, drink, 30%, 40% if you empty the bolt, 30% notions/accessories) Freebies when you buy machines at her store....AND...for your birth month, 1/2 you age off what you buy. (one time only). I stay away from Wally World when it comes to fabric...and I'm careful at JoAnn's.... Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: Karebear
Date: 03-19-2006, 07:03 PM (7 of 10)
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Chyrs wrote ""I stay away from Wally World when it comes to fabric... and I'm careful at JoAnn's" I need to touch it!!! I am very fortunate to have at least 7 wonderful little shops within a 50 mile radius. And ladies get out of my way when I fix my eyes on a colour.. carrying that bolt all over the store with me.. to "match" it up.. heck.. I cannot buy only one 3 yd piece.. OH NO.. even if I do not have a design in mind.. my credit card best be ready to pay for at least 3 matches to that first bolt.. Heck I fall in love with FABRIC.. How weird is that? I have a friend that struts around with me.. and once we get back in the car... she murmurs "you need to see a doctor about this" 
Karen
http://www.dancingwicks.com "If you want to build a ship, don't herd people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." --Antoine de Saint-Exupery |
User: Karebear
Member since: 01-24-2002 Total posts: 338 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 03-20-2006, 12:25 PM (8 of 10)
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An early mentor of mine took me on a fabric shopping trip once and showed me the best lesson of my life , I think.. (today anyway) Take a corner of the fabric on the bolt and scrub it in your hands as if you are washing it.. then smooth it back out and feel it again.. Most of the time , you have scrubbed all or most of the additives from the surface and can get the feel of the real fabric.. I do this with all fabric I buy.. (this is also why I am so Very careful what I order online.)
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 03-20-2006, 03:08 PM (9 of 10)
I took my neighbor to 'my' fabric shop once...she probably wont go again. She didn't see the fascination in touching and looking at all the colors, prints, FABRIC...I will carry bolts around the store with me..the women who work there don't even ask anymore if I need or want help, they often let me behind the counter to pick out my own stuff.(needles, feet, notions of all kinds). (they'd let me cut my fabric, but I don't have my own ticket book....yet ) Margie who owns the shop says I must smell when the new fabric comes in, I always come in on the day AFTER it arrives, and since I don't know when she's ordering or when it's shipped, she just knows I'm a fabric psychic... 
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: JoanieB
Date: 03-21-2006, 02:28 PM (10 of 10)
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Another thing I look at when I purchase fabric is the pattern. Before they cut your yardage have them roll out several rolls off of the bolt to check the print and make sure the pattern is not off line or smudged, especially if it is for a special project. As has been already stated, the feel or "hand" of the fabric is not only determined by the thread count but also what type of finishing chemicals are appled at the mills. I buy fabrics everywhere from Walmart to high end quilt shops. I'm sure all will agree that nothing feels better than a sumptuous fabric in your hand. Joanie B
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User: JoanieB
Member since: 01-28-2005 Total posts: 68 |
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