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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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By the time you trim the selvages, it will probably be closer to 40". Perhaps, you should consider a border???
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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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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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Originally Posted by bearisgray
(Post 5260922)
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! |
Originally Posted by calicojoan
(Post 5262271)
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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Originally Posted by #1piecemaker
(Post 5260932)
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.
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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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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 |
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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