Fabric Ideas-German Quilter
 

Our daughter has a friend coming to visit from Germany. His mother is a quilter and I would like to send an assortment of cotton fabric back with him. Does anyone know or have any ideas what is popular there?

Thanks!

I am not in Germany, but am i usually in Poland. The one quilt store I was in in Germany had beautiful fabrics just like any store in the US. If you want to surprise her, that is fine, but if you really want to bless her, just ask. The fabrics were very expensive, in 2007 when we went. Before I went in the store, I decided I had 5 Euros to spend. I think I got about 8" of fabric. I doubt that they have gotten any cheaper.

No, wait. That was Vienna, Austria. But it is similar, I'm sure ibn Germany.

The quilts by Germans I've seen at the large international shows seem to have the same type of fabrics as ours.
You could Google "German quilts" or "German quilters" and look.
The European quilters I know use American manufactured fabric; and it's very expensive over there.
Ask her son what colours she prefers and go from there.

I would think that she might prefer to recieve materials more typical for American quilting..something she might not get there. Of course if the fabric is that expensive, just about any nice fabric I am sure would be appreciated. what a wonderful gift idea!

Perhaps a nice pattern and the fabric for a top to make it would be in order (if it's in your budget). That way she wouldn't have to try to figure out what to do with what you send...

Diannia

Maybe an assortment of FQ from one line of quilt fabric would be nice. Fabric is very expensive and they like the US brands. Maybe find out what she likes. I know my European relatives like the Hoffman batiks and they like colors.

When I was in Vienna a couple of years ago, I found a fabric shop and they had the same fabric that we have here in America, but it costs about twice as much.

Not only are the fabrics in Germany expensive, but depending on the region the LQS are few and far between. I agree with the suggestion of FQ packets. You could find out from the son whether she is a more colorful person or a more reserved person. The gift will be greatly appreciated.

I'm in Germany, The fabric stores are expensive here for Americans but not for Germans as they are paid in the Euro. All the prices are in Euro in Europe and the dollar is down and 1.40 equals a euro fabric in Germany isn't much different from the states but the assortment is much bigger in the states. Ask her what colors she likes and go from there, coffee is huge in Germany so coffee fabric would be fun, they drink coffee like we drink water. All the bottled water on the economy is carbonated. I made our movers a pot of coffee when they were delivering our stuff. Bakeries are huge here we have three in our village. Farming is also an everyday living...trackers are everywhere. Bicycles are used even in the snow here. It is so green as well because there is so much rain. Maybe send fabric that represents the states! Also German quilters do not use cotton thread, poly is the only thing available here. Hope that helps!! Happy Quilting!!!

I would get a couple--or more--FQ bundles. Maybe one would be batiks. Then I would get a color that compliments the bundles for background. I would also send a few magazines for ideas. I have some magazines that you can have that are not very old. Just PM me your address and I will send a few. I am betting that American magazines are very expensive, too.
Sue

I agree with Diannia, You want her to have enough for her project as she would not be able to find it if she ran out of it.

I live in the netherlands, next to the border with germany.
Although the euro equals 1.40 dollar the quiltingfabrics still are very expensive to us as they now are around $24,00 dollar a meter ( about 1 yard 2 inch).
That's at least double the price in america and the euro is NOT double worth a dollar.
So I would find out which colours she likes, and I suppose about every quiltfabric will be recieved with great joy!!!

I would go with a line of FQ and send some cotton thread since they only use poly thread there.

Any assortment is always gratefully received by me, as the prices are so expensive here. I think the prices may be similar in Germany, so the lady may possibly feel the same way.

Quilt fabric in Germany is off the chart expensive. If it were me I would send an assortment of blenders and let her buy her focal fabric there.

When I was in Germany the fabric (stoffe) was very expensive especially the "American" brands like Hoffman, RJR etc. A nice selection of co-ordinates would be so appreciated I should think. Your guest may surprise you and enjoy shopping in one of your local quilt shops to help select something for his mother. Most males don't!

Consider how much the items you send will add to the cost of transporting it to Germany. He might have to leave some things out of his luggage to replace it with quilting items. Or maybe ship it on over to her, that would be a pleasant surprise.
Just a thought.

Do they have the quilting templates, rulers and tools that we have.

I would suggest that you ask. There are patterns and colors suggestive of some countries and cultures that citizens of other countries not having a good relationship with them would find offensive. In some countries colors denote bad things or evil. My DIL's mother asked for a quilt and I made her an Irish Chain using her country's colors. She was thrilled. Ask, then you will know how to shop and it will be easier and more enjoyable for your shopping day.

Does this lady have an email address? Start a conversation. You may make a new friend. Ask her what she would like. I am sure she would be very grateful.

All these suggestions are wonderful but maybe we should be chipping in a few dollars/euros/shekels to pay for the extra checked bags of fabric and gadgets. Just a thought.

I found the same thing at the shop I visited in Amsterdam. Found some traditional Dutch fabric that is used for costumes at an open market.

I have found shops in every large city in Germany we have visited. Even the small area outside of Berlin where my SIL lives has a well stocked shop. The fabrics are mostly what is available here but approx. $30/meter (Cdn) I believe the only German made fabric is from the Westphalen (sp?) area & used in the costume clothing. (although I did make a quilt from it) I think whatever you choose, she would enjoy as it was a gift from your heart to her.

*

trying to wrap my mind around 'no cotton thread' Aurofil is from Italy? and they do not sell to Germany????


I was sure Superior Thread shipped to everywhere on planet (would believe, even the space station)

cannot do without my 'King Tut' for quilting ...................or my kimono silk for applique

wonder if she would rather have good thread?

I received an email from Keepsake Quilting and they are presently offering 80 FQ for $99.99. Or, perhaps you could choose a queen-sized quilt kit. And I would chip in.

Here's a website in Germany. http://www.frautulpe.de/schnappchen.html

Why not contact the friend and see if he has any photos of his mother's quilts? You could get an idea. Also, you could just ask him to have his mother make a wish list so he can buy her something. Don't have to say you're augmenting the purchase.

Last fall I visited Germany, Italy, Austria, Croatia and I searched in hope to find some interesting and different fabric.Everything I've seen was American, much more expensive even i Euro and much less selection. When I asked they told me that all fabric there comes from America. I am sure that if you send some nice fabric over it will be appreciated.

The German government prohibits items from being imported from outside Germany for German consumption. This is done to protect German businesses. You would be surprised to see Germans traveling to Italy to buy pasta!!!

Wow I enjoyed this conversation.

when i was in in germany a few years ago, i noticed the stores that did have quilting fabric where all carrying Hoffman, Moda that type of fabric. Most readily available thread is Gutterman, a blend. Quilting magazines were few, i actually bought Irish Quilt magazine in Germany. an assortment of FQ's with small designs and tone on tone. A lot of the quilters use traditional patterns.

I don't think you need to send magazines. There are some very good ones in Germany. Also, Germans mostly use the metric system. When I am in the States, I always buy fabric since it is not as expensive as it is here. So, a bunch of fat quarters would surely be very much appreciated!

Oh don't worry about that - my daughter's friend is in the military so I don't think the extra stuff is a problem with bags. I don't really understand it, but I guess he is training here through our Air Force to become a pilot but in the (I think) German Air Force. He is coming our way next weekend so I will find out more about that. From what I can tell the family isn't hard up, lots of drs and attorneys in the family.

I have to say people are very nice and very generous. That's means to me to pay it forward!

Yes and I finally got her email address yesterday! I wouldn't have asked otherwise. I immediately emailed her. Her son said her english is pretty good so now I am waiting to hear. I gave ideas of good thread, blenders, batiks, florals, solids, notions... It will be fun to hear from her.

Please let us know if there is anyway we can help!

I would just ask him what's her favorite color and go from there. I'm sure it'll be appreciated.

I have a dear friend that I made during a postage stamp quilt swap in Croatia. She has sent me some absolutely beautiful fabric that is made just down the road from her. She in turn asked for FQ bundles and I referred her to Missouri Star Quilt as they have the most wonderful assortment. She picked out some bright bundles from Hoffman and was very pleased with them. We have since talked, via the 'net, and she asked for magazines as they do not have any. I sent her six copies and she was so pleased. Hope this helps a little although Germany and Croatia may be totally different.

To Bad our Goverment doesn't do a better job of protecting our jobs here in this country

Germany is very different from Croatia. As mentioned, fabrics are available there, but not the selection as in the USA. Also they are much more expensive. Currently here in the UK full priced fabrics are £10-13 per metre (about 3" more than a yard - I am just about getting used to metric), and Germany would be about the same. If it were me, I would really appreciate a "traditional American" design, as it is unlikely to be available in Germany, and she might want to make something for her son to remind him of the visit!