Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
new fabric, shorter width >

new fabric, shorter width

new fabric, shorter width

Old 03-22-2012, 10:04 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Southfield, Michigan
Posts: 286
Unhappy new fabric, shorter width

Last week I got a yard of fabric at JoAnne's to make a pillowcase for my DD. Imagine my shock when I put it together with pieces from my stash to make the case & it was substantially shorter! I mean like 3-4 inches!! Is this a new trick by manufacturers to compensate for the extra cost of cotton? I guess I'll have to take my tape measure with me from now on to measure the width of the fabric before purchasing! I mean, I was stunned! Thank goodness, it was only for a pillowcase & not something that the yardage would have made a difference!!
scisyb220 is offline  
Old 03-22-2012, 10:37 AM
  #2  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: West Coast
Posts: 9,267
Default

what did it say on the end of the bolt? Was this after washing?
DebraK is offline  
Old 03-22-2012, 10:57 AM
  #3  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,813
Default

Thank you for letting us know. We will need to investigate closer from now on!
yngldy is offline  
Old 03-22-2012, 10:58 AM
  #4  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: VIRGINIA
Posts: 22,671
Default

Thanks for heads up will be checking close from now on!
QUILTNMO is offline  
Old 03-22-2012, 10:59 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Rubesgirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 830
Default

Many manufacturers are now using a 42" width. You really do have to check each bolt you want to buy from. It was a surprise for me when I bought fabric, assuming it was 44-45" and it only measured 42".
Rubesgirl is offline  
Old 03-22-2012, 11:14 AM
  #6  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Suring, Wisconsin
Posts: 15,364
Default

Good to know. Most fabric no matter where you buy shrinks after washing.
Grandma Peg is offline  
Old 03-22-2012, 11:15 AM
  #7  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,312
Default

It surprised the heck out of me when it happened the first time. Many manufactures have reduced the width of their fabrics. Its not just a JoAnns issue. I can now tell the newer purchases from the older in my stash by the width. I have been wondering ...Are we going back to 36 inch wide cottons?!!
Lori S is offline  
Old 03-22-2012, 11:21 AM
  #8  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 3,992
Default

I hadn't noticed this, will definitely have to check when I buy fabric again.
Raggiemom is offline  
Old 03-22-2012, 11:21 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 345
Default

The 44-45" fabrics disappeared several years ago. The 42" fabrics are problematic for me because I wrap the fabric from back around to the front for the binding. This requires the backing to be at least 4" wider than the front. This is ok for the smaller children's charty quits but a real problem for the bigger boy's quilts that are the greatest need.
Lucio is offline  
Old 03-22-2012, 11:42 AM
  #10  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,370
Default

Some older fabrics (15 to 20 years old) are also narrower - this includes some of the "better" brands such as Kaufman and Hoffman.

So - it isn't just the "new" fabrics that are narrower - some of the older ones are, too.

I had also "assumed" that the "newer" cotton wovens - as in 1950 and on - were 45 inches wide. NOT SO!!! Even back then!!

So - yes, it does seem that some of the fabrics are narrower - and some are - but this is not necessarily a "new" thing.

I now try to check the end of the bolt for width - if it isn't shown - or covered up with a price tag - one can ask to have the width measured.

Some fabrics shrink a lot (I've had fabrics shrink up to 2.5 inches in width) and some don't shrink at all. I can't tell ahead of time what a fabric will do.

I'm one of those that prefer to soak fabrics in hot water (gasp!!!!) and then wash them in cold or tepid water before cutting them.

There are also many sewers that skip the washing step.
bearisgray is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tngal22
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
10
03-22-2012 08:39 AM
Favorite Fabrics
Main
56
07-18-2011 08:52 AM
glenda5253
Main
9
03-15-2011 02:50 PM
Lady Crafter
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
14
11-29-2010 09:07 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter