Buying fabric online
 

Hi, I have purchased some quilt fabric online that I am really pleased with, but now, I want to order flannel online for the backs of a couple of quilts and I think this might be a little trickier. Does anyone have any good hints to determine the quality of flannel? Can I go by price alone? Has anyone a favourite online store that sells good quality flannel? Thanks!

I haven't bought flannel particularly from www.fabric.com but have been satisfied with the other fabrics I have bought from them.

My best advise ... buy only the smallest amount ( maybe combine with other purchases) and note the manufacture....wash it and see if it pills. Then you will know the manufacture( not the seller) you want to concetrate your purchases. I have had some of the top names flannels pill.. and its quite a dissapointment when it happens. If there is no manufacture listed... its a good indication its not top quality.

I have bought flannel from Connecting Threads and was very pleased. It didn't shrink much at all. It's not stretchy and is just the right thickness I like. I made a baby quilt using it and the quilt has been washed a dozen times and still looks like new. No fading or piling.

Flannel is tricky my suggestion is go touch and feel flannel some is light weight some is higher and better quality
Call and ask flannel is different than the cotton we use for our quilts. I don't remember if its the thread count per inch or how its weighted but I would do a little research first. the best flannel I have used is has been from my LQS
some is thin some is heavy I like the heavy. Lately I have been very disapointed with fabric.com and how they handle refunds when there out of fabric takes 10 days or so how ever I had great service from ericas when they sent the wrong fabric, they credited me right away told me to keep what they sent which was several yards of fabric.I did not want, I've donated it to charity. But I still had the option which is nice.

I have had good luck with Keepsake Quilts. The kits I bought contained Maywood Woolies III and was very heavy nice fabric. It shrunk very little. It is pricey though.

Thanks, everyone. I will definitely follow up with your suggestions.

I have handled some of the Connecting Threads flannel and was very impressed with it. I think you can count on all their flannels to be of a consistent quality, but they don't have a large selection.

I have purchased yards and yards and yards of flannels over a number of years from www.stitch-n-frame.net

I love their fabrics. I have never had any kind of a problem--except time to use the ones added to my stash--8^) The quality and feel have been great. They also have a Thursday Special sale, a Monday madness product and a Saturday surprise offering. If you sign up for their email, a reminder is sent for the sales.

Laurie

A lot of places will send you swatches so you can see if the fabric matches your quilt. I just did that with a wide backing which I ordered from Backside fabrics. I got the swatches in just a couple of days and could not only match the color, but "feel" the fabric.

i've bought bolts & bolts of flannels on line over the years- i've been very happy with most- i purchase most from fabric.com- i read the descriptions- i purchase medium to heavy weight- prefer double sided flannel (both sides are brushed/soft---single sided is thinner, with only one side brushed)
many on line sites have a (swatch) program...you can order swatches of the fabrics you are interested in- then you have the swatches to refer to in the future.
benartex double sided flannel is my all time favorite flannel- the woolies flannels are next- (i think moda offers the woolies-but i could be mistaken)

I recently made a couple of flannel quilts with fabric I had accumulated over several years (use up the stash). I needed some large pieces for the back so I went on line. After looking at many sites with some rather ugly flannels (sorry) I decided I should look at a site in an area where they would make more flannel quilts (it's cold there), so I went to Big Horn Quilts is Wyoming. I found two beautiful floral flannels which just fit the bill and the price was reasonable. More than I had paid years ago for the flannel in the tops, but reasonable compared to others (except Connecting Threads). They came very quickly and the quilts are tied and finished and keeping us warm. I really like Big Horn.:o

I got some from Connecting Threads and was very happy with it. It was on sale, too.

You might also try Hancocks of Paducah

I LOVE Moda flannel. I made DH shirst out of it and they look great after a hundred washings.

Flannel World .com is just flannel and lots of it! Quality is good and price is average - Check it out.

This isn't exactly following the thread here, but can you tell me the name of the pattern of the quilt you have pictured with your name? It is gorgeous!

Sorry, I'm new at forum participation. I thought my question would go directly to the entry I was on, but it didn't. Can anyone tell me the name of the quilt pictured by dunster?

I think, in defense of Fabric.com, they just moved their entire operation and I would bet they don't have their business procedures on place! I've used them often and they've always been wonderful but haven't had the need to buy from them since the move. Sorry you had trouble.

I have bought flannel from Fabric.com several times. I have been really pleased with the quality of the flannel. Very little pilling and shrinkage. I made several rag quilts from their flannel and they are holding up really nicely. I used cheaper flannel from a walk-in store and was so disappointed with the quality. It faded and pilled badly.

I have purchased a lot of flannel and my favorite company is moda. There marble flannel is over the top. I have purchased from Hancocks and there's is good too. Usually is the price is to good to be true, the fabric is no to good.
I have also purchased from www.fabric.com and was pleased. Sometimes they lack quanity if your looking for a large amount. I love the heavy white, I made a design wall with it.

Some online quilt shops are willing to send you small swatches of fabrics you are interested in. They usually limit the number you may request or charge a small fee, but if you're needing a large quantity, I think it's worthwhile.

I have used quilt back flannel from Thousands of Bolts and have been pleased with it for backs.

What I know most about flannels--any flannels, is to order more than you need--and definitely pre-wash!

Dunster's quilt is a pattern that she created. It is a Diamond Log Cabin
check out http://www.ebay.com/itm/Diamond-Log-.../221147762123?