What is the differene in 100% quilt fabric at $8-$12 per yard and 100% cotton fabric at $3-$5 per yard?

$3 to $7 per yard to spend on more fabric? LOL Sorry, couldn't resist!

It's the thread count.

Maybe thread count per square inch.

Usually the quality of the fabric. You just have to look it over good. I have found some very nice fabric for $3 to $5 a yard.

you know I have alway wondered the same. expecially when the material at 3 different stores look the same.. :roll: :oops: never thought about the thread count though. :roll: hmmm will have to check it out. thank you for asking the question.

Love your response. I'm a newbie and don't want to buy expensive fabric on my beginning quilts. Maybe with more experience with fabric and quilting I will be able to tell the difference, now I only see a price difference.

Quality, all the way around. Better base material, better original engravings, better artwork, better dyes, better printing quality control, better finishing. Higher priced fabric will generally have a better "hand" as well.

Not to say you can't find some older and overstock high-quality material at low prices, but the factors above usually determine what the starting prices for fabrics are.

Is there thread count somewhere on the bolt? Also, the higher the thread count the thinner or thicker the fabric?

FEEL the fabric, obviously not all 100% cotton is created equal and if you feel it, you'll quickly notice the difference. Also, if it feels rough, it will probably still be rough after washing.

Those really expensive Egyptian cotton sheets, which feel like soft butter against your skin, are expensive because of the thread count.

And if you hold fabric up and really look at it, often you can see how tightly, or loosely, the threads are woven.

I pay more attention to the feel than the price when determining quality. I find good fabric at lower prices occasionally using this method.

don't forget to watch for heavy sizing--which makes it only feel heavy to the hand--crumple/rub it between your fingers to see if it feels like starch!

sometimes it is the same fabric-just depends on who is selling it

what is irritating is to find the exact same fabric at large fabric chain like Hancock Fabrics for $5/yd AFTER you paid $10/yd at the LQS..

It is several things:

[1] Yes, the thread count and the quality of the material used.
[2] The quality and depth of the dyes used. Cheaper fabric doesn't have the same quality dye.
[3] The number of finishing steps used in making the printed fabric.

Some fabric companies do fabric for different stores. The cheaper and least costly for the WalMart type stores; then that for Joann's; then they sell the end of roll to some quilt stores at a discount because it is literally the end of that fabric line; then the best is for our LQS's. You absolutely do get what you pay for.

However, if you want something that will be abused and it is OK for it to wear out relatively soon, then go with the cheaper fabric. If you want an heirloom quilt to be loved and kept, then go to the LQS.

ali

Feel both a piece and a bolt of each. You can feel the difference. But, always look at a single layer. Some folks think their $3/yard fabric is worth $10 and it isn't. At the same time, some of that $10/yard fabric feels and looks fabulous.

That's right - second runs and end of run fabrics are different - I look for sales and figure my time and effort are worth the cost.

Feel of them, and try the wrinkle test. If it is good quality fabric it won't wrinkle as much. Just wad it up in your fist and squeeze it tight and then see how long it takes for the wrinkles to relax. The poor quality fabric will just sit there in a bunch, the good quality will start to smooth itself out.

I always have felt that if I want a quilt to last, I will always go for the $10 a yard vs. the cheaper ones because we put a lot of time and love into our quilts. And I do want my quilts to last quite a few years. so my motto is: You get what you pay for".

This is good information--thanks!

Yes, that's one of the reasons. Another is that the cheaper fabric may be a test run and the colors are not printed exactly right or not exactly what the designer had intended. If you're not getting it as part of a collection, you may not see anything wrong, and it will be just fine.

Me too! $5/yd is my limit so far, and I have found nice feeling, heavy pieces at JoAnn's on the red tag 1/2 price clearance for $1.50/yd. I have also bought clearance fabric from the LQS at $5/yd that was very thin. bought it to coordinate with something else, but disappointed in the $10.95 original price.

I use both inexpensive and expensive fabric, but I do open the fabric fold on all fabrics before I go to the cutting table to make sure it has some density, and to make sure the pattern on the fabric is "square". Some of the less expensive fabric that looks the same as the expensive fabric is mill run seconds, not marked as such.

Two years ago this subject came up at a local guild. I called the headquarters of several fabric manufacturers.

Every manufacturer said thread count, dye and surface finishing determine the "hand" of the fabric, which is the way it feels to your hand.

Every manufacturer denied making different grades of fabric for different wholesalers and retailers. Each representative said their companies did not have the resources to do that and they also said they could not risk their company's reputation by producing different grades of fabric for different stores.

Each also said that some of their fabrics had a better "hand" than others, primarily because of the thread count and surface finishing. But those fabrics are the same whether you pay $10 a yard or $3 a yard--it's exactly the same fabric and what you pay depends on where you buy it.

I have no way of knowing whether every company representative to whom I spoke misrepresented the truth, but since each of them separately and individually told me essentially the same thing, I am inclined to believe what they said.

I will tell you that buying poor quality fabric when you are starting to quilt, make garments, etc., is not a bargain. Such fabric is much harder to deal with because it is easily distorted and will not wear well. Buy the best you can find at a price you can pay and your sewing will be much easier and you will like the results much better.

Two years ago this subject came up at a local guild. I called the headquarters of several fabric manufacturers.

Every manufacturer said thread count, dye and surface finishing determine the "hand" of the fabric, which is the way it feels to your hand.

Every manufacturer denied making different grades of fabric for different wholesalers and retailers. Each representative said their companies did not have the resources to do that and they also said they could not risk their company's reputation by producing different grades of fabric for different stores.

Each also said that some of their fabrics had a better "hand" than others, primarily because of the thread count and surface finishing. But those fabrics are the same whether you pay $10 a yard or $3 a yard--it's exactly the same fabric and what you pay depends on where you buy it.

I have no way of knowing whether every company representative to whom I spoke misrepresented the truth, but since each of them separately and individually told me essentially the same thing, I am inclined to believe what they said.

I will tell you that buying poor quality fabric when you are starting to quilt, make garments, etc., is not a bargain. Such fabric is much harder to deal with because it is easily distorted and will not wear well. Buy the best you can find at a price you can pay and your sewing will be much easier and you will like the results much better.

Our Joann's carries a number of fabrics that are the same pattern as the LQS. I bought it as it was $8.99 vs. $10.99. It was fine but it wasn't the same fabric. I wrote to the manufacturer as they produced both pieces and the response was the thread count of the fabrics was different. One was run for quilt shops and the other was a less expensive alternative. I will admit I buy $3-4 yard fabric for my backing but for my tops I am a LQS snob. I just love the higher thread count fabrics. But I will still shop Joann's if it's what I can afford a the moment.

Amen to that for sure.

When Manfactures make good quality quilt fabric, they start by what is called the first run. This is where they line up the pattern and adjust the colors for the fabric. Sometimes these are off a little or a lot and they adjust until the have quilt grade fabric. They sell these first run fabrics to Hancocks, Walmart and ect. You can still use them but check them over for flaws before you buy.

I personally don't make heirloom quilts that last forever. But you know what? My grandmother and mother made quilts from scraps from either clothes that were worn out but had good patches, leftovers from garment sewing or feed sacks. They've lasted 75 years that I know of --and they were made to use not look at.

Interesting. I often wondered about this. Great quilts are made from fabrics that are recycled and recreated into works of art that provide warmth and comfort. It really depends on your personal perspective and intentions for use.

Glad you said it, I was thinking it. Isn't the point of quilting to have fun with what you can afford? I congratulate those who live within the means, especially in todays economy.

Good one Bailey

Truism at its best :thumbup:

Could be the thread count. Touch both pieces and see what you feel

ditto what jeanniejo says

I believe it is the thread count.

Contrary to what you may hear, location of purchase and price per yard is no guarantee of quality. I have fabric from many sources (Walmart, Joanns, Hancocks(the chain), Hancocks (not the chain), Quilt shops, and some from DH grandmother which was probably bought at a feed store). I've had some from each location that was a dream and some that was a nightmare to work with. In fact, some of the worst I've ever worked with in terms of fading and fraying was from a LQS. You really have to feel the fabric and look at it carefully to determine quality.

lololol smarty pants, that struck me really really funny!!!

Each fabric has three different runs. The first as mentioned previously is to make sure everything is correct. That is sold as flat fold. The second run corrects anything needed. That is the Joann's, Hanocock's, etc. The third run is the final and best-quilt shop quality. The quality you use is totally up to you. You pay for what you get. Why buy cheap when you can find first quality on sale?
Marla

The feel is important also.