Am I looking for the unfindable?
02-19-2010, 04:17 PM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Home town: Rehoboth, MA Now living in OK
Posts: 7,774
Originally Posted by nursie76
Reasonably, you can only buy what you can afford. So, I would buy the best you can for what you have to spend. Less expensive fabric doesn't feel the same as fabric that costs a little bit more. Actually, you can buy some good quality quilting fabric online, on sale for $3-4 sometimes. That is fabric that originally cost $8-9 originally. In my experience, less expensive fabric can fade faster and doesn't hold up as long. That being said, if you are just starting, buying less expensive fabric for practice quilts, until you discover if you really enjoy it makes sense.
Just as 150-200 count sheets feel more like cheesecloth and 300-400 count sheets feel more luxurious and silky, so do fabrics. The more expensive ones have the threads woven closer and give a different feel.
Hope this helps. Watch out! Once the quilting bug bites, you are a goner! lol
Just as 150-200 count sheets feel more like cheesecloth and 300-400 count sheets feel more luxurious and silky, so do fabrics. The more expensive ones have the threads woven closer and give a different feel.
Hope this helps. Watch out! Once the quilting bug bites, you are a goner! lol
02-19-2010, 04:36 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 825
This topic seems to come up a lot. There are those who feel that only fabric that comes from the quilt shop is quality fabric. They are entitled to their opinion and to spend their money as they choose. I can only comment on what my experience has been. I have purchased fabric at quilt shops, at Walmart and at Joanns. The location of the purchase had nothing at all to do with the quality. I have purchased some wonderful fabric at all three places. I have also had some stinker fabric at all three places. Case in point, the project I am working on right now is a kit from a quilt shop. I am ready to throw it out the window because it is fraying all over the place. The only real way to ensure quality in fabric is to feel it and examine it closely.
02-19-2010, 04:49 PM
#23
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Central PA
Posts: 5,573
Originally Posted by QuiltMania
This topic seems to come up a lot. There are those who feel that only fabric that comes from the quilt shop is quality fabric. They are entitled to their opinion and to spend their money as they choose. I can only comment on what my experience has been. I have purchased fabric at quilt shops, at Walmart and at Joanns. The location of the purchase had nothing at all to do with the quality. I have purchased some wonderful fabric at all three places. I have also had some stinker fabric at all three places. Case in point, the project I am working on right now is a kit from a quilt shop. I am ready to throw it out the window because it is fraying all over the place. The only real way to ensure quality in fabric is to feel it and examine it closely.
02-19-2010, 05:04 PM
#24
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Front row
Posts: 14,646
When I started quilting, I used cheap fabric. I didn't want to mess up the good stuff while I was learning. That was a big mistake. The fabric has frayed, pulled from the stitches, and faded. Those first quilts are loved and still in use by my family and how I wish I had used quality fabric. I don't mine using the cheaper Walmart fabric in projects like tablerunner, pillows, pot holders, and costumes but I won't use it in a quilt. The times I couldn't afford the quilt shop quality I would go to the thrift store and buy quality cotton clothing to use in a quilt.
02-19-2010, 05:41 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Iowa, Preston
Posts: 474
I purchased lower priced material and deeply regretted it when the quilt started to wear out and the only part that is in shreds is the cheap fabric. Several quilt shops that I go to have sale fabrics all the time so that is where I start shopping. I also find that the less expensive material fades a lot sooner.
02-19-2010, 05:57 PM
#26
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Chester, VA
Posts: 53
Hi, I have had good experiences in purchasing from Ebay and other online fabric shops. The only issue I have run into is color variance due to the picture quality of what I am looking at. So far I have not run into a problem in the color being off enough to matter. JoAnn's is great place to buy as well and they always have coupons. I usually go there or to quilt shops if I want everything to be exactl. Good luck and Happy Quilting!
02-19-2010, 07:13 PM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,152
No you are not. I also have been frustrated by prices. The Walmart in my area stopped having fabric. I now look for bargains on line. Yes, they are still expensive. Also, I have found if you can locate pre-cut pieces, it is less expensive. However, don't do what I did with one quilt. Make sure you have enough pieces for the quilt you want to make. I was fortunate, the supplier still had the print I used for a full size quilt that had turned out to be a twin.
02-20-2010, 01:57 AM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Iowa, Preston
Posts: 474
I, too have bought online from EBAY. I stick with the name brand fabric. Fabric averaged $5, shipping included. The edges of one fabric had been serged & when I washed it, it didn't fray or become misshapen!
02-20-2010, 06:23 AM
#30
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Honolulu Hawaii
Posts: 158
I used to think that way also until I saw the results of other quilters with the beautiful textures from finer fabrics. Like good classic clothing; it looks so much better and lasts.
I plan more carefully and wait for good sales.
I plan more carefully and wait for good sales.
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