This is a good point also. I just figured I'd ask them and see what they said.

I've only heard "rumors" to the contary, no "experts" or anything. So, I guess if I'm going to believe someone the fabric company is more "in the know" that anyone else I've asked at this point.

I'd love to be able to ask some other "professional" type people, though. Any suggestions?

I thought the original question was:

Do fabric manufacturers sell more than one "grade/run/quality" of fabric under any one brand name?

Not how much one pays for a yard of print xyz manufactured by Company A or where one purchased it.

This.

I'm loathe to spend 10 dollars a yard for fabric. I don't have that kind of cash. Though I have recently spent that for a girly panel for my daughter. It is thinner fabric then the Cranston wolf print I bought at Walmart for under 5 bucks a yard and it's thinner fabric then what I bought at Connecting threads on their frost line.

On the other hand I've seen some wonderful fabric out of a lqs scrap bags. I loved to buy those bags. 5 bucks for a pound of fabric and you had some wonderful pieces in there.

The backing I bought for a baby quilt I'm doing out of scraps from my sons quilt. I kinda think I overpaid at 30 bucks. The soft flannel isn't any better then what I would have gotten at Joanns or hancocks clearance aisle.

You are right. My apologies.

You were typing and had pressed "send" before you read my stuff. That happens often when two people are typing away at the same time.

guilty:)

I read that same thing in a quilt magazine awhile back, I can't remember which one it was though.

I've always found that you can find a wide variety of qualities in any location - LQS, Walmart, Joann's, or online. Price doesn't always matter, especially when shopping sales. I use a wide variety of qualities depending on the purpose of what I'm making and how much effort it takes to create.

Just FYI - I once purchased a fabric at Hobby Lobby that I later found at a LQS for a much higher price. The fabrics seemed to be very different quality. I can't explain why. They were the exact same print in the same color. I do know that they could have been mistaken for being the same, for different prices, when they actually seemed to vary in quality.

I have always felt that when I spend $11/yard at a LQS, I'm not only paying for the fabric; I'm also paying to keep a service going. I value my LQS very highly. I not only regularly pick their brains for information, I also love to spend hours taking their classes and just browsing their aisles. I consider the higher price an investment in a resource that I know struggles to survive.

I know that not everyone can or will spend that much at a LQS, but I like to whenever possible, and I must admit that I, too, have felt that some members of the board sometimes make comments that seem disparaging about those people who choose to spend their money on more expensive fabric. It seems like some people think that those of us who spend more are less than intelligent for doing so, as if we're being taken for a ride. I feel, however, that a person's disposable income should be hers or his to do with as he or she chooses. As long as my family isn't going hungry and the bills are paid, I should be able to spend $11/yard without being looked down upon if that makes me happy, and it does. It's just like someone spending $12000 on a sewing machine instead of $400 for a machine that works perfectly well.

You're so right Mattee! It's nice to be able to spend our money (or go into dept:>) as we see fit. I looooooove expensive, nice fabric. I just wish there were concrete evidence as to X manufacturer sends X quality fabric here or there. And yes, I do believe what the one poster said is true...would they really admit in writing that they send less quality goods to a certain store? It's all very confusing. But, you just need to meddle through, buy what you like and what you believe to be worth your money. And then go on your merry way, because this is JUST a hobby and people are dead and starving across the globe with warfare, pollution and catastrophe. What kind of fabric we buy is pretty low on the global totem pole.

touche :D

It was, and why I posted what I had heard and read.

Here we go again! I'm getting tired of this same argument. How about we discuss toilet paper?

Am I a snob because I prefer 2 ply? Am I offending someone if I can only afford the 1 ply? OMG...and then there is ultra.... and quilted!!

Because I'm a quilter should I only buy the quilted brand?

Come on ladies. Please let stop this bickering!! We are friends here with different incomes, lifestyles, tastes, and sensibilities. Lets play nice.

This post was made innocently and once again turned into a blame fest.

<sigh>

I was surprised at the tone of some that had posted, and noticed that they were mocking those that would pay more than X amount of money for fabric.

I like your analogy, which came to my mind too.

And for the record. I piece and quilt on my two FREE vintage treadles, and I purchase almost all of my fabrics on sale.

I know this to be true as I worked in a garment factory for 15+ years. The shirts we made were all cut from the same material, sewn with the same thread and on the same machine. The label the collar girls stitchen was what determined where it went and what the price was. I learned then that fabric was all the same if it was cotton.

What an interesting thread! I'm sure glad that my stash is big enough that I don't have to worry about where to buy fabric. Gotta use up what I already have now!

fact: each person has her own reason(s) for buying what and where she does.

fact: unless she's asking somebody else to pay for it, she does not need to justify anything or accept any sort of personal label.

question: why assume that a person is a snob just because she insists on shopping only in high end shops? she may have a long list of reasons that have nothing to do with that. for example, she may "shop with her heart" and be motivated by a desire to support only small businesses. for example, she may need and/or appreciate the personal attention and value help selecting fabrics that will work best together. for example, she may have signed up for classes and feel it would be rude to buy her fabrics for those classes someplace else. for example, she may feel confident about her purchases only when she's been able to see and touch them in person beforehand. the list goes on and on. not everyone who shops only in the LQS does so because they are unwilling to believe that good fabric can be found elsewhere.

question: why assume that a person is anti-LQS just because they normally or always shop elsewhere? that list is pretty long as well.

do not prejudge. do not assume.

there is no need to be anti-anything. just be pro-whatever-your-preference-is an worry not about anybody else's preference. be happy for yourself. be happy for them.

look in a person's heart for who they are. you won't find that out by looking in her stash or at the price tags. ;-)

p.s.

i still think it was pretty darned wise and dedicated of stefanib to seek the facts from the sources.

i appreciated the response from AE Nathan. also found it amusing.

we heard from Kaufman quite some time ago. they also confirmed that they do not sell anything but their best stuff - regardless of who's buying it.

i hope she hears from others and that she will share those responses.

is there life on Mars? i'm pretty sure knowing wouldn't change my travel plans. however, i'm still fascinated by the question and am very interested in the clues they're gathering in trying to find the answer.

I rarely (if ever, I'd have to go back and look at my updates) comment on these 'kinds' of posts. Your response has made me want to make an update. I so much agree with you. These post seem to always, without fail, turn into a confrontation. I feel this is so unnecessary. Why do we do that? We each are entitled to our own 'way of life'. We are adults, loving, giving, and caring people. We should be able to have these conversations without 'assuming' someone is being superior because of their choices. Statement of fact is statement of fact.
The post question addresses the difference in the 'quality' of fabrics.
Yes, there are differences. I don't know, and don't care if the differences are specific to a manufacturer. Yes, there are test runs. I have some in my stash. Now when I post pictures of my quilts I will leave others guessing where I got the fabric.
Ladies and gentlemen, please, let us have a conversation without faulting each other for our thoughts, views, ideas or statements. I have learned so much from the members on this board, I value the information I get from each of you.
I promise myself I will not open another post that has anything to do with this topic. I will continue to read the present post for your responses to my update in case there are any.

I did you test this morning. The David Textile fabric was as light blocking as the Blank, Marcus Bros, SSI, Kaffe Fasset, and Northcott and most all the other LQS fabric I had. I could see through Moda quite a bit and a lot of the Bernatex, Thimbleberries, Aunt Grace, and civil war repos were more see through the then AE Nathan fabric I have. The fabric that is coming to the Walmarts that have the fabric dept is very good quality, not like the fabrics that every Walmart had before. There are lousy fabrics at discount stores and there are good quality. It pays to check the discount stores first and save money. :-D

I'm sorry but I simply will not sit back and watch while people call other people snobs. It's unacceptable to call people names. It's offensive and hurts people's feelings.

I wish I could say that walmart fabrics were still available where I am. But they're not. NOT ONE SINGLE WALMART STORE IN MY AREA CARRIES FABRICS ANY LONGER.

Then you Patrice should learn not to make comments like this:


"5. as long as those who insist on paying only the highest prices for fabrics continue to shop thusly, i do not have to compete with them for the same caliber fabrics available at lower prices. i hope they cling desperately to their delusions for years to come so that i may reap the benefits in peace and prosperity.

now i think i'll go roll around on my mountain of lovely fabric purchased at great prices ... and feel quite smug in the process. "


It is comments like this that lead people in the direction that this thread went. This type of "smugness" can be very hurtful to others.
As a moderator you may want to learn to stick to the original question.

IMO the implication is WM and JA have inferior products and those of us that shop there cannot tell the difference. Ah NO. I can tell good quality from bad regardless of where i shop. LQS doesn't insure quality any more than box store is crap.

I have never seen anyone say anything of the sort on this board. Did I just miss it? Can you point me to a topic where this sort of thing was said?

i believe several of us have made it clear that we agree with you. we must hope and trust that everyone on both sides of that pointless argument realize that it isn't necessary, nice, or at all helpful to assume things about people we don't know, point fingers and slap nasty labels on each other.

let's try to let that tangent whither away and get back to the original and very interesting subject of this thread.

i'm sorry, but you erroneously added meaning into my post that simply was not there. it was not a blanket accusation. i also didn't call anybody names.

i happen to shop in all sorts of venues ... including the LQS. i have some fabs in my stash that cost more per yard than i ever dreamed i'd spend.

my point, made primarily to inject humor into a testy conversation, was that those who refuse to shop for the low-priced fabs leave more for me when i'm hunting a rock bottom bargain.

you have my permission to think of me as greedy. you may, if you wish, remain convinced that i didn't choose words you like. but i am not anti-LQS and i am not anti-LQS-devotee'.

i am anti-get-my-knickers-in-a-twist-about-something-that-shouldn't-matter-in-the-first-place.

Patrice,
I'm sorry but words like 'I hope they cling desperately to their delusions' cannot be taken any way but as derogatory. I am sure I am not the only one who thinks so.

i was in a communications class the other day. the instructor was offering examples of behavior that are not well received in most circles. i happen to be aware that i am guilty of some of those behaviors. naturally, i felt very uncomfortable and wondered whether or not she actually referred to me without using my name.

did she mean me? she's a very nice person, so probably not. i will never know. nevertheless, i had a guilty conscience.

i added meaning to her instruction that was neither stated nor implied. it would be unfair of me to get angry at her about it.

we often feel accused or take feelings away from something we've read or heard that wasn't meant in any way, shape, or form.

my conscience about this is clear. however, if you need to continue holding it against me i will not question your prerogative to so do.

I think it is time to take this issue out of this thread. Patrice, you stated to drop this tangent and move back to the original post. It seems that you are having a difficult time doing so. I do hope that the "Admin" reads this thread and comes to an understanding that she has a problem with one of her moderators.

Maybe fabric manufacturers do have different "lines" like car manufacturers do (or did, anyway)?

That said, it was my understanding that Model XYZ would be the same no matter where I purchased it.

It would seem logical to me that fabric lines would operate in a similar way.

never let it be said that i can't own my own contribution to a problem. i sincerely appreciate that very sane and irrefutable statement.

when i let myself get sucked into a stupid argument i'm always torn between two conflicting realities.

on the one hand, i have the ability to delete everything.

on the other, if i do delete everything others might reasonably think i did that only to cover up my own stupidity.

i've been struggling with that in this case and hoping it would all just go away so i didn't have to start deleting.

after all, if i'm incorrect in my heartfelt belief that i'm being wrongfully accused, is it fair to hide the efforts of others to chastize me? mine are not the only feelings that matter.

the one thing i do know for sure is that you are correct to be disappointed in me. i'm quite disappointed myself.

i allowed myself to get sucked into a stupid argument. i should know better.

i have actively participated in hijacking an otherwise interesting and worthwhile thread. that is never a good thing for anyone to do.

Patrice,
A simple: I am sorry -is all that is needed.
With no more posts on this thread, this needs to end.

And with that I'm off to admire other folks quilts and to do some quilting myself today.
Peace!

So,
back to the post:

OK????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone hear from the other manufacturers?

Robert Kaufman wrote this about Kona cottons:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/user_po...m=12167&page=1

http://www.quiltpox.com/Discussions/fabric_quality.html
Don't be turned off by the title of this page-it's worth the read!

I have found this web site and it really does answer all of our questions about our beloved fabrics! It seems to unite both sides beautifully! It confirms statements about pro and cons of the LQS AND the retail-it is a must read. We shall all sleep soundly tonight and continue happily with the methods of choosing our fabrics, which is as different as there are people on this board.

With the last paragraph quote:
"In Summary:
I hope that these guidelines will help you when choosing fabric, whether it be at the LQS or retail. When you are a new quilter, you are not going to have the experience of knowing good fabric. But, start paying attention. If you can only buy a fat-quarter at the LQS, do it. As time goes by, you will begin to have an idea of good fabric. And, just because Ms Designer Fabric 1 has designed the fabric, and you see her name and face all over the media, do not assume it to be a good fabric. Several of the big designer have started designing for the more retail mills for a reason. They can reach more people, and make more profit. Think about it."

That's a great article. I'm curious which fabric company she mentions. I know of at least 2 that are initials.

High end fabric companies do not sell to
Walmart. They are paying designers to create lines of fabric that coordinate. You won't be able to find an entire line of anything at WM.

http://www.fabrics.net/cotqual.asp

http://www.keepsakequilting.com/articles/quality2.aspx

vip rjr p&b all I can think of