This is source of frustration for me: wonderful light-colored fabrics where you can see occasional dark lines. And the lines are from a single strand of dark fiber twisted around the light cloths on a single thread, which is then woven into the fabric.

By now you can tell that I'm nearsighted! Still... the lines really stick out. If you were doing patchwork you could cut and work around it. But if you're using the fabric for borders or backing it's a real problem.

Has anyone else run across this? Did you find that there were particular brands where you found this more often?

I'll start: Springs Industries Quilters Only solids - white - which often has tiny RED fibers in it. I wouldn't buy this brand in light colors, and have switched to Kona Cotton instead. I never have a problem with their white!

It depends what are you making with it. If the occasional red threads well spread out, I may use it without thinking about it. It may add some interest to the quilt, especially if you match it with fabrics that are red or have some red in then. It may look like you planned it that way. If on the other hand you want strictly solid, then save it for later. The right project for the fabric will jump on your lap when you are not expecting it.

VIP Cranston, I just used a cow print fabric for a dress for my DGD & didn't notice the RED thread running thru it until the dress was done! My DD bought the fabric & I'm sure she didn't see it, but I'm sure she'll notice the finished dress.

White fabric is ideal for dyeing, painting, stamping, printing, beading, stitching, embellishing all sorts of surface design techniques. Reinvent it into something new with things you probably already have around the house and a small investment of time.

Sometimes it adds character to the fabric.