fabric buying advice/help :)
 

i know you guys hate to give advice about this topic! ;)

i want to make this quilt for a dear friend who recently decided to begin a family:

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how does one go about acquiring complimentary/contrasting fabrics in fat quarter size economically and without too much driving etc?

i figure fat quarters are the way to go, but maybe i am wrong. i think this quilt will be stunning all in batiks...

advice?

cheers!

aileen

here's a bigger version that is really fantastic! way to go rhonda harvey! amazing!

http://www.canadianquilter.com/photo-gallery/rosettes.php?page=2&year=2011#

what about websites like balibatik.com? their fabric seems really reasonably priced. the whole quilt takes less than 5 meters total, so i really need lots of different colours in small amounts.

this will be my first paper piecing quilt though, so i should account for a learning curve.

i was looking today at charm packs and fat quarter bundles and i'm just not math savvy enough to understand if that's a rather spendy way to gather up the variety i need for this quilt.

thoughts?

aileen

Check out Connecting Threads. They have charms, fat quarters and layer cakes at enormous savings. Also, they will cut as small as a 1/4 linear yard too. Nice selection of batiks, solids, prints and what they refer to as "mirage" which has a dimension to i t.

Thousands of bolts has a nice selection of fat quarters:
http://www.thousandsofbolts.com/index.cfm?category=24
Not sure where you are from, (colours, meters... ;-) but I know they ship internationally.
Note that the price quoted for yardage at balibatik is for a HALF yard.

Look at connecting threads here:
http://www.ConnectingThreads.com/col...edid=navBatiks

some Walmar ts are starting to carry fat quarters including batiks for as little as 99 cents-I would start there and watch too for when Joanns has their fat quarters on sale. Don't expect to get away with too cheaply because there looks like a lot of colors in that quilt. Paper piecing looks fabulous but can cause a lot of waste too. Good luck Its a great quilt and will make an awesome gift

I would go with connecting threads for their quality and selection; free shipping for over $50 too. The pattern should list quantities needed. I always overbuy a bit.

I second this.

I haven't done a lot of paper piecing, but I find I use a lot more fabric than I think I should. I get so frustrated trying to figure out what size piece I need and then have it not be enough when folded out that I just take a larger piece than needed. It makes for a lot of waste, but what else would I use for a scrappy quilt? :o

Love the quilt.

i'm a little worried about that. i don't have a huge stash of batiks (or anything else...) and so i wonder just how many fat quarters this quilt is going to eat up! should be fun though :)

thanks guys!

aileen

That's what I'd suggest, too. You can get their cuts in either FQ's or long 1/4's. And they have a great selection! And the just added their Fall 2012 batiks... yummy!

You could also go with a FQ collection based on a large blender line. That would give you many colors, and enough fabric to do quite a few projects. And you would always have a stash of a wide range of colors for applique'.

Here's one example: http://www.quilt-kits-online.com/pro...prod=FF-PAL-FQ

I have been collecting fat quarters for a quilt I am planning that is appliqué and requires many colors. At first I just picked up some FQ in any color, but now that I have a lot I am filling in the missing colors (blue) so I have a variety. Paper piecing does take more fabric, but not a lot, and FQ go farther than you think. If you plan to vary the colors from block to block--pink or green for example you will do fine with FQ. They are a great way to get a variety for not a lot of money. Good luck with your quilt and your hunt for fabrics.
Sue

Check out the nice Batiks at www.connectingthreads.com. They have great prices.