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44"-45" Inch Fabric Not Measuring Up

44"-45" Inch Fabric Not Measuring Up

Old 06-03-2012, 05:33 AM
  #21  
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When I'm drafting a pattern I always figure on 40" width of usable fabric - never over that.
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Old 06-03-2012, 06:08 AM
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By the time you trim the selvages, it will probably be closer to 40". Perhaps, you should consider a border???
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Old 06-03-2012, 06:11 AM
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Why haven't I thought of that? Instead of adding skinny strips down each side of the backing when it is a bit too narrow, I will now add a wider strip down the middle or offset to one side a bit. So much easier that way!!! Thanks for turning the light on for me folks. LOL
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Old 06-03-2012, 06:18 AM
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It's like the size of lumber too. A 2 x 4 is not actually that size either. It's a way to make us not notice the ever increasing costs of goods.
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Old 06-03-2012, 07:17 AM
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Originally Posted by bearisgray View Post
I have fabrics from over 20 years ago that are only 42 inches wide. So it isn't just a NEW thing.

Read what it says on the end of the bolt. If you want to 'see for yourself' - carry a tape measure with you.

You may also want to 'assume' that there may be some shrinkage - As PaperPrincess says, WOF fabric shrinkage can be drastic - although I've had LOF shrinkage, too.

Interestingly enough to me, some of the 'so-called' lesser brands like VIP, Marcus Brothers, and Peter Pan usually were 45 inches, whereas some of the 'so-called' better brands like Kaufman, Hoffman, Alexander Henry tended to be narrower.

Go figure - pay more - get less!
ditto - I have been quilting for 30 years and even back then it was rare to get a full 45" of usable fabric. HOWEVER the selvages were much smaller then, today some of them are ridiculous!!
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Old 06-03-2012, 07:18 AM
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Originally Posted by calicojoan View Post
It's like the size of lumber too. A 2 x 4 is not actually that size either. It's a way to make us not notice the ever increasing costs of goods.
the 2" x 4" is the measurement before it is planed. It has always been that way. You can buy unplaned lumber for full measurement, but wear gloves when you handle it!!
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Old 06-03-2012, 08:12 AM
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Originally Posted by #1piecemaker View Post
I guess they are just like most of the companies now days. Notice how 1 pound soon became 12 oz. and 5 pounds of sugar became 4. I guess it is happening to fabric now.
Nevermind toilet paper! Narrower rolls and more loosely wound and yet you pay more. They've really figured out how to make selling toilet paper--which everyone has to have--more profitable! lol
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Old 06-03-2012, 08:15 AM
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Maybe, if enough of us start returning the fabric, they will go back to 45 inches lol!
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Old 06-03-2012, 08:18 AM
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if the guild wants a perfect 45" back they are nuts, you have to allow 2" all around for quilting, so that would mean fabric at close to 50"...even a 45" wide batting will vary if washed/shrunk properly!

but if that is what they want, then put a strip down the middle of the back
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Old 06-03-2012, 08:48 AM
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Supposedly, the selvages are not included in the WOF (per a website I found), but if you measure most fabric, then the 44/45 includes the average (I've seen) 1/2 on each side- meaning you get about 40-42" usable fabric. Batiks can be narrower because they are done by hand and there is no selvage to speak off.

See http://www.fashiondex.com/howtos/htstfm4.php middle of the page. This an apparel fashion website, but the info in general should apply.
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