through practice- and experience- i've been sewing for 48 years---and i can certainly say i used to buy some really horrible fabrics! but with time and experience i have become much better at being able to tell --- you just have to really---pay attention to your choices- if you find one that you thought was nice in the store- then found it was not---make note---look at the manufacturer/designer---where you bought it---compare it to some of your (nicer) fabrics---note why it is not up to par compared to them- --a quilting journal is a nice tool- you can clip a little swatch (mine are 2"x4"- glue them onto a page-write down the price-place-manufacturer- project it was used for- any details you want to remember- if it's sub-standard in your mind- note why---look through it once in a while---i have one that fits in my purse- i don't put every fabric i buy in it--but if there is something about it i want to remember i add it and make notes.
Originally Posted by
QuiltE
ITA on the feel and inspection before purchasing!
However, I've been fooled ... beautiful feeling fabric that went limp and think once washed. Sometimes I can feel the sizing/filler in there, and turn away. Other times, it's a total surprise.
And too, sometimes I have purchased a small piece to "try", thinking it will go limp in the wash, and it comes out absolutely beautiful.
So the question that begs to be asked ... how does one accurately assess it for such while in the store?