Has anyone noticed if there is a difference in fabric weight whether you get normal yardage or the same fabric in wide width? I got a wide width in a Moda fabric once and I know that it isn't as thick as the same fabric that I got in a FQ of it.

I have a quilt design in mind that I want the top in whole cloth with applique on it. I found a beautiful damask in deep navy fabric that is the color I want in a wide width but I am a bit concerned about it being thin.

I piece my backing so I buy regular widths so have no advice to offer.
I've noticed difference in Moda's quality in different lines. I think, hey! they must like this designer more then that one. LOL

Yeah, I've noticed that some are so smooth it's like silk, others are just normal cotton.

Thing is, I have fabric of the exact same collection that isn't wide and it's not the same. I want whole cloth so I need a wide one. I will contact them to see if they can tell me what the cloth is like.

I got a wide batik from 1000's of bolts and it definitely felt thinner then normal batiks I get. Maybe they can send you a sample swatch? Just a 3" square. Can't hurt to ask.

I piece mine too.

I've bought wide backing but I do it at the fabric store here so I can touch and feel it before I buy. There are certainly differences in them and I try to buy the better ones.

One of the backing fabrics I bought was heavier and coarser feeling... I would be apt to buy in person or ask for a swatch.

A lot of the wide backings are thinner than regular 44" wide cottons. Don't know why. If you call someplace for samples, be sure to ask them the size they send. It can be hard to tell from a one inch square what several yards will feel like!

Maybe you could ask them for a sample so you can see if it is what you want.

Margie

I had this same experience. A name brand fabric (Benartex) is so coarse I hate to use it. Not smooth or silky at all!! I'll never buy wide backing again unless I can FEEL it!!!!

if they won't supply you with a piece, ask them to tell you the weight per yard. to be honest they may not know it, but the maker does and they all have an 800 number. also, they may use more stiffener or other sizing in the 45" fabrics, and that would make it feel a lot heavier and weigh more, too. if top and backing felt like that, your needle would have to punch it's way through topping, batting and backing. that's one reason that muslin is so popular as a backing. even good muslin is less tight and heavy than good quilting fabric.

if the quilting fabric and the wide backing were both washed, they might feel the same or at least much closer in weight.

ask for thread count/weight per yard. let us know.

i've had the exact opposite with moda - i purchased all fabric from the same line to make a king quilt along with the matching wide width backing fabric.

i felt the backing fabric from moda was better than the fabric for piecing the top and it was all from the 3 sisters line by moda.

I've got the red and the blue from Portobello market by 3 Sisters. Both of them are thin. When I tore off the selvedges on the red it was like tearing cheese cloth.

maybe its a bad bolt, i buy alot from the 3 sisters collections and never had a problem.

maybe with the recession moda has adopted new practices.

who'd you buy it from? can you call them and quiz them about the situation?