ShelleyCS

When quilters talk about a great 'hand' in a fabric, what do they mean? I've found a fabric that I loved by Moda. It had a feel to it that was soft and . . . I don't know. But I had to have it. I've often heard other quilters talk about the hand of a fabric, but I've never been clear on what this means. Can someone clarify for me? I've googled, but you'd be amazed at what comes up!

earthwalker

To me it means 'the feel' thickness, softness/hardness, how it drapes, texture....that kind of thing. I suppose it's a measure of quality.

mamagrande

sometimes some fabrics feel stiff and that means that they will get very limp after it is washed because it had a lot of sizing on it. Like earthwalker said it does have to do with what it "feels".

PaperPrincess

Here's a good definition
:http://alittledesignhelp.com/what-is...d-of-a-fabric/

Jeanne S

To me 'hand' means the feel of the fabric in your hand--literally. Does it feel thick or thin, smooth or rough, stiff or limp, etc. It is all a function of the quality of how the fabric feels when you hold/scrunch it in your hand.

ManiacQuilter2

I agree. You can ONLY feel if a fabric is CHEAP or has the quality to be used in a quilt. In the 90s, Marcus Brothers had a high stiffness on it but over time, they have improved the quality of their fabrics.

ghostrider

Next time, try Googling 'quilting glossary'. There are several sites that have excellent listings.

ShelleyCS

thank you for that!

ShelleyCS

Didn't know there was such a thing. Thank you!

tessagin

Feel by hand is what I've always understood by hand of fabric.