Does fabric quality differ?
11-05-2009, 04:49 AM
#32
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I agree about Walmart's hand. However, if you are material experienced, you can "feel" the fabric and often find a gem in between the glass. I stop everytime I shop Walmart just to check out the fabric. Sometiimes I luck out and sometimes not. I have bought beautiful fabric for &1.00 a yard. Once in awhile I have gotten a clunker.
11-05-2009, 05:56 AM
#33
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Originally Posted by Anna O
What I have found is that the lower quality fabric fades. I made my grandchildren quilts using lower quality fabrics and they have all faded with repeated washings. I'd say, if you can't afford the good fabric, just wait until you can. The hours of labor and other expenses just aren't worth it. Same for batting. I found the WalMart/JoAnn's batting didn't hold up after repeated washings. My favorite is Quilter's Dream.
I did make a quilt out of nothing but homespuns and for that I did get some Walmart homespun fabric and some homespuns from my LQS. This is a heavily used quilt and it is holding up quite well. So some Walmart fabric is fine. But that is not a choice for me anymore as my local wallyworld has discontinued their fabric dept. Any printed fabric and batiks I prefer to get at LQS and I have taken a chance with on line purchases and have been very satisfied so far. By far, my preference is being able to touch the fabric before buying it but on line purchasing has worked so far, although I have yet to use any online fabrics in a quilt.
11-05-2009, 07:57 AM
#34
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Hmmmm. I hadn't even thought about there being a diffenrence in batting. I recently bought some thinner cotton batting (it was off a huge roll) at JoAnn's to make a comforter with. It will just be a sheet on one side, Michael Miller fabric on the other (just huge pieces - not quilted) - and I was going to hand tie it. Am I going to have problems??
11-05-2009, 03:22 PM
#35
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Originally Posted by Naturalmama
Hmmmm. I hadn't even thought about there being a diffenrence in batting. I recently bought some thinner cotton batting (it was off a huge roll) at JoAnn's to make a comforter with. It will just be a sheet on one side, Michael Miller fabric on the other (just huge pieces - not quilted) - and I was going to hand tie it. Am I going to have problems??
If I were going to tie a quilt, I would probably use Warm n Natural (needlepunched through a scrim) or perhaps Quilters Dream (haven't used it, but I think it is more blanket-like). I think WnN can be tied 6 inches apart with no problem, maybe more.
11-05-2009, 03:42 PM
#37
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JoAnn's carries Warm n Natural. Quilters Dream is widely available online. Before using these, you should probably research their characteristics. WnN is a very stable batting but the needle-punching through scrim gives it a stiffer drape than other battings. QD comes in varying thicknesses and has a finer drape. I'm not positive that QD is suitable for tying, though, having never used it myself; that is something you would want to research. Maybe start a new thread asking which batts are the best ones for tied quilts?
11-05-2009, 04:11 PM
#38
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Originally Posted by katier825
You may notice a difference in the piecing stage if you mix the lesser quality with the good stuff. I had one print that I got at Walmart that was a perfect match for a quilt I was making. It didn't feel as nice but the color was perfect so I used it. Everytime I got to a section with that fabric, it stretched and distorted a bit more than the other fabrics. I had to ease a lot of fullness in on that one print. It wasn't as noticeable by the time I got through, but I hated handling it. It would have been even worse if I had a different pattern with more triangles. Luckily most of mine was squares and I didn't have to handle it too much. I haven't bought any fabric at Walmart since that experience.
Once you get to know the quality of a particular manufacturer, you can shop online and get a decent price. I have bought the same names/quality online for $4-7/yd that I can get in the quilt shop for $8-10. I still buy at the shops too. I try to spread my business around a bit. I like them all and would hate to see any of them go out of business. :D
Once you get to know the quality of a particular manufacturer, you can shop online and get a decent price. I have bought the same names/quality online for $4-7/yd that I can get in the quilt shop for $8-10. I still buy at the shops too. I try to spread my business around a bit. I like them all and would hate to see any of them go out of business. :D
As for telling the quality of fabrics, after a while you will be able to tell by the feel. As for JoAnn fabric, I have found that the bolts that sell for 8.99 are indeed far superior to the 3.99-6.99 bolts. When using the less expensive product I pre-wash and check for color fastness and shrinkage.
I'll admit that not so long ago I was a Quilt Fabric Snob. But after contracting to teach Quilting at JoAnn's I have had the opportunity to be around their fabric. I realized that some of their fabrics are actually really nice. The chain is trying out, bringing in lines of fabric. instead of just having a wall of color segregated fabrics. I have used their New Legacy line and it's pretty nice. I also like (actually love) their Stone Hill fabrics. But that is just me.
There are 4 LQS in my area and their prices are getting outrageous. They are charging from 9.99 - to 14.99. I hope this is not an indication as to how prices across the board will be. 2 years ago these same shops were priced from 6.99-11.99
Just my 2 cents worth, hope someone finds it helpful.
11-05-2009, 06:23 PM
#40
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Originally Posted by Prism99
JoAnn's carries Warm n Natural. Quilters Dream is widely available online. Before using these, you should probably research their characteristics. WnN is a very stable batting but the needle-punching through scrim gives it a stiffer drape than other battings. QD comes in varying thicknesses and has a finer drape. I'm not positive that QD is suitable for tying, though, having never used it myself; that is something you would want to research. Maybe start a new thread asking which batts are the best ones for tied quilts?
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