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