I wasn't picking on Bette. Would never do that.
I was making a statement about the different fabric and the costs. Wondering what is "superior" with regards to buying out of a quilting store vs buying anywhere else.

I also, don't think that Bette was aiming her comment at us. I think she was just airing what she thought the rest of us were thinking as to the fabric types.
I'm still curious tho, what is considered superior,,,,as in WHICH manufacturers make fabric more superior than others. <shrug>

Please, don't take offense... we all know exactly where you are coming from.... and if you can afford those nicer materials, that's great...
frankly we ALL would love to be able to go in a quilt shop - ooooo and aaaaah and pick out what we need for a project or three without concern over costs - believe me, I've seen some stuff just in Hancocks that I would ABSOLUTELY love to have - but it is $8 a yard (the new music fabric - it's to die for)

but, right now, I want to have this HUGE stash because my husband and I both are getting to where we cannot just jump in the car and run down to the stores... aside from money concerns, we live 85 miles from decent fabric stores.....

And we all know you are right in that some of the $1 and $2 fabric isn't worth the time or effort .... but what it is good for is for the folks just starting who are scared to death to cut their $$ fabric for fear of ruining it...
In those cases spending money on the really cheap stuff IS worth it - because you gain confidence and skills working with it....

and I do recommend that someone just starting grab a few yards of wallyworld fabric and have at it.... learn how to use the rotary cutter, learn how to eyeball a quarter inch seam, learn how to rip a seam without ruining the fabric, learn all kinds of stuff... make a wall hanging, a lap quilt, etc then "go for the gold" once you have the confidence!

There's nothing like a great looking wall hanging to give you some much needed confidence!

I see so many comments on here like "I'm afraid to cut the material"....
so - get something from the markdown (the usual quilter's stuff from Wallyworld marked down to a dollar a yard) and get to cutting!

Learn how to use templates, learn how to cut strips, get busy!!

If you hate it - hide it! If you love it - show it off!




:mrgreen:

I have alot of fabric I don't want to cut. It's just too pretty!! lol

I hope my comments did not offend anyone. I was just commenting on my own experience. I have volumes of "stash" from all the places you mentioned. I even use some old clothes I find in thrift stores, although that can be a pricey situation. My husbands old jeans don't go to waste either. Philosophically I believe in using what we have and can afford and I believe we can all produce true art with our Wally World stuff. Really, I couldn't afford to quilt without the $2.00 stuff. Since I can't work anymore and have no income other than what my husband gives me every dime has to count. My dear darling husband allowed me to splurge and take this course (of course they require you buy their fabric) and I know what I've learned will help me produce a better quality quilt with the stash I have. Perhaps my wording or expression could have been better. In retrospect, "superior" is probably not the word I should have used. I definitely am no elitist regarding quilting and don't belong to the quilt police. We all have a need to express ourselves artistically and we're fortunate to have the options we have. It's a shame we are losing so many places like at WalMart. Again, my apologies. No intent to offend.

Linda

I have fabric from all sorts of places. We have Alco here and they have fabric, some of it the high end names at affordable prices. We were told from the manager that some of it is end runs, other is last years patterns printed on lower thread count fabric, and some of the company's will sell their patterns.

When I buy fabric at the discount stores I just make sure it had a decent weight/thread count to it. And I always prewash in case it shrinks more.

But even at a quilt shop I check weight if I don't recognize the name of the manufacturer on the bolt. We have a shop here in town that sells some stuff that isn't worth $8.00 a yard and it should be in cheap bin at Wal-Mart

Amma, I soooooo agree!!! I don't want anyone to be afraid to use the quilts I give them! I enjoy making them; I want folks I love to enjoy using them!

I think we should use fabric that bring us JOY - this comes from not only the colour, hue and pattern but also the cost.

For some not using the best fabric when they spend so much time on a quilt would not give them joy. For others cutting up or risking messing up expensive fabric would reduce them to tears and they would not have any joy. Each to their own

At the end - do you love your quilt - thats what matters not what it cost to make.

But I do think you should buy the fabric that makes your heart sing - as long as it doesn't make your bank manager cry.

Well said, both Ruths!

You all expressed your opinions, I just expressed mine. I never used the word "superior" nor did I imply they I have loads of money. All I said was that I considered with all the time and effort I spend on making a quilt, I want to use the best quality material I can.

Wow, I didn't realize that I would start a debate! Definitely not my intentions. I just thought it was odd that the same fabrics sold for different prices at different stores. I think Moonpi cleared that up though. Thanks, Moonpi!

I don't want anyone to feel bad so I'll send out a little bit of my stash to anyone who wants it...just pm me with what you'd like and I'll ship it to you.

:-)