I agree! The fat quarters at Joann's are very poor quality. But you don't realize it until you take it apart and remove the cardboard! I prefer fq from my local quilt shop - if they don't have one in the fabric you want, they will cut it for you!

Sugarpumpkin, I've become completely fascinated by the bird in your avatar. What a cutie! I can't decide, however, if it is having a really good time or if that is a cry for help. Also, I like the waving cow and find myself waving back at it; thank goodness I can't wiggle my ears.

What a darling quilt!

This was for chicagostar's quilt in the photo.

thank you for the tips. Penny

Thinks about this. Fat quarters at 2.00 a piece are 8.00 a yard. Better be good quality fabric for that kind of money!
I prefer to spend a buck or two more at the FLQS for a yard of fabric (or get my quarter for 2.50 or so) than spend 2 bucks for crappy fabric at JoAnns or Hancocks. Of course, I still buy things like Kona solids at the Chain store. I mean Kona is Kona for the most part.

tim in san jose

At our guild meeting we had a speaker from a major fabric manufacturer who confirmed what we all suspected - that Joann's and Wal-Mart do NOT get the same quality goods as independent stores.

thanks for the compliment! It is the card trick pattern. There is more to see under the pictures section.

I love your avatar picture. It is a beautiful quilt. Do you mind if I ask where you got the pattern from?
Hugs
April

Lately I've been getting a lot more FQs and fat eighths without selvage...they're folded in so you can't tell it's been cut away unless you completely open them up & some are labeled shut or tied so you can't see before purchase.

In fact, I just bought a fat eighth from JoAnns Wednesday and it has no selvage whatsoever. The tip about slight stretch is a good one and while the 18 x 22 is usually true from fabric stores, if you purchase online or trade with people, it is not always the case.