I'm new to quilting, so bare with me. I've been told "if you are going to spend the time making a quilt, you should only use the best fabric". On Monday I went to Jo Ann's and saw fat quarters selling for $1.99 and then I go to a quilting store and they are selling their's for $2.75. Is Jo Ann's fat quarters a cheaper fabric and are they worth spending the money or should I buy the more expensive ones at the quilt store? I could sure use some advise and opinions.
Donna

I personally have found that the quilt store fabrics are a higher quality, but I have bought plenty of Joann's fabrics because they are such good prices and they do have a really nice selection. Also, since they purchase their fabrics in such high quantities, they are able to sell them for a lower price.

I would suggest that you don't intermingle the fabrics - if you start a project with joann's fabrics, complete the project with it, and if you start with the quilt store fabrics, complete with the quilt store fabrics.

If you do "mix" the fabrics, I would recommend that you wash and dry the fabrics first to pre-shrink the fabrics in case there is a real quality difference between the fabrics!

I have always found that it is just easier to buy what you like - because then you will use it!!

Those are good points about not mixing farics. You never know about shrinkage or how the fabrics will wear. In the wall hanging that I just pieced, it wasn't an issue,, but I would definitely heed that advice for a big quilt.

I buy from both places. What I find with JoAnn's FQs is that they are a lot stiffer and they are wrapped around a piece of cardboard. I'm not sure why they are so stiff, their fabric isn't so much. The FQs at the quilt shop here are just folded and soft. I find more novelty FQs at the quilt shop. I like those a lot because I make mostly kids' and baby quilts.

Hi Donna- You are 'allowed' to use whatever fabric that you want to play with. My first quilt was made from mens' flannel shirts I bought at the goodwill. It lasted forever and I got to learn through many mistakes without spending a ton of money on fabric. Just enjoy yourself and have fun. As alot of people say on this site- there are no quilt police :):):)

I also use both quilt store fabrics and JoAnn's. But the quilt store fabrics are quite expensive, so I generally only use them for special projects. Jo'Ann's is a great place to buy fat quarters to build your stash, especially when they go on sale for 99 cents each! Keep your eye out for sales there!

i don't usually buy fat quarters at the quilt shop unless they coordinate with something else i've got going. they are getting really expensive! but never say never . . .

this quilt was made entirely from jo-ann fat quarters (20 of them) for 99 cents each (except the borders, which came off the bolt at jo-anns). i've washed it several times and haven't had any issues (except black pen that my sweet baby got on it that i haven't been able to get out!).

[img]http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ng20again4.jpg[/img]

you really can't beat the 99 cent fq sales at jo-anns! and starting the 29th? all of their notions and quilting notions are 50% off! can't wait!

Hi,

One of the best things I like about this board is the "no quilt police". I belong to two guilds and they have their share of members who are "quilt police". I buy my fabrics everywhere and anywhere. It all depends on what I am making and for whom. There are plenty of fabrics in my stash that came from Wal-mart, JoAnns and even the Dollar store. I don't consider any of my work Masterpieces. If I am making it for a child I want it to be sturdy enough to hold up to rough use and lots of washings. I handquilt anything that is not going to be given hard usage. I judge fabric by the way it feels to the touch. As a hand quilter I am going to be touching it a lot. Many years ago when I first started quilting it was not unusual to put a sheet on the back of a quilt. With the advent of blends and the very high thread counts that are now available I would not recommend doing that unless you are going to be machine quilting.

A big part of quilting for me is collecting fabric and dreaming about using it. I have more plans in my head than I have years left on this earth Purchase any fabric that makes you happy and fits into your budget. Remind yourself it isn't fattening.

The only time I get real picky about fabric choice is when I am doing hand applique. The higher thread count fabric is much easier to use for that purpose.

If you are making quilts for kids, people you dont know well, football games, experiments, etc. The lower prices might be your deterining factor.

I have a friend that buys the JoAnns fat quarters for her beginning quilters. They can learn, make mistakes without any guilt about the price.

You will learn as you gain experience which ones you like to use and which ones to leave alone.

I have found some very good quality fabrics at discount stores.

I started out with the JoAnns fabrics and after having quite a few fade on the folds or simply fall apart after a while, I tend to be very picky about the fabrics I use in my quilts. Feel them, see how many threads are woven in them. JoAnns does carry their quilters "best" for a couple dollars more per yard. I occasionally pick up those with my 40% coupon to use as backs. I have a couple of my first quilts that are having issues with the cheaper fabrics and after spending all the time I do making them, I'm not going back there. I do look for great sales and the good fabrics and stock up and buy my backs when they go for 3-4 per yard.

As with everything else in life, best does not always equal expensive. I am new to quilting too so I have yet to buy from a quilt shop. I do oggle what they have alot. All my fabric I have bought so far has come from Hancocks, Joann's, or Walmart. I can't see spending alot on fabric then making an 'oops'. I've read alot of post on here and one thing I can say, everyone has their own opinions about where to get the best fabric! I say go with what you like, at the prices you like. Until I know what is 'not so good' and what is 'great', I will stick to choosing by price. I can tell you that after my first quilt, I did learn about which fabric I like to use. All of them came from Joann's but they were all different to use. Make some quilts and have fun!

I just finished my little visit to quiltville.com . I absolutely love her work and in thoughts on quilting. I read an interesting blog from her. Someone asked her why she doesn't buy all the high end fabrics and the big names and the kits.... this is what she said... and I quote it. I printed it off for myself.

"I am a Quiltmaker because I make quilts. Not because I buy the latest fabric at whatever price it retails at.

I am a Quiltmaker, driven to create by what I have on hand, not by the kit I can buy so my quilts will look just like everyone else's, so we can list the designers and collections by name in mixed quilt-company.

I am a Quiltmaker, not blown in any direction by the winds of change prevalent in the fashion and home dec industry. I make what I want to make, no matter which colors or fabrics are "in" or "out".

I am a Quiltmaker inspired by designs of Quiltmakers Past, who used the scraps they had from making the family's clothing, bedding,and more to make the quilts that covered the ones they loved at the most vulnerable times of their lives...while they slept, keeping those they loved safe and warm. This is also what drives me, this connection to those who came before."

Smart woman in my eyes.

Cheers

Another smart woman!!!

First of all thank you everyone for your advise!
Cathy... I've been working on a quilt using fabric that was given to me, it's old curtains, I felt it was a cheap way to practice and learn. I'm backing it with flannel. I have an old white blanket, I was wondering if I could use it instead of batting? I plan to quilt it by just tying it with yarn. If it turns out, I plan to give to my friend who gave me the curtains. So far it has turned out OK. I see some mistakes, but I know my friend won't care.

I feel the same way as a lot of you. I pick fabric because I like it and I am always aware of the price. I buy JoAnn's, Wal-Mart, Hancocks and online once in a while. I have picked up fabric that I could tell was just way too flimsy and put it back. I make quilts because I enjoy it, not to impress people I don't know by using "designer" fabrics, patterns, etc. Do it for the love of it. You'll figure it out as you go along. Welcome to our board.

You know...it seems to me that quilting is getting to be an elite practice and I am all about quilts/blankets to use.
Isn't this what they were intended for?
Years ago I made some quilts for my bestfriends children, she packed them away and never let her children use them...at all.
Well, the oldest passed away at 19 this year, never to have snuggled under his quilt I made him at 10...the daughters haven't seen their quilts in years...
SO...I send them a lap top every year for this reason...I figure one of 'em will get used...
Use the fabric you want to use, be it JoAnns, A Quilt shop or scraps. Quilts are labors of love for most of us. A Blanket to comfort, warm us and secure us...
Create...dont worry about the other stuff...
K

I couldn't have said it better and agree 100% with your sentiments KO24!

Go ahead and use the blanket for backing and have fun tying it. Your friend will love it cuz you made it. Sometimes that is the best part of quilting- sending those invisible hugs and loves.

I noticed the elitist comment and had to say that there have been and will continue to be the rule followers and rule dictators, they are not necessarily elitists, but "purists" in my opinion.

There are also a lot of people who want the very best, regardless of cost and can afford to do so. Whatever makes you happy.

I'm a practical person and I do use what I have on hand but enjoy the process of purchasing at my local quilt shops. The material is a better quality and I do mix with my less expensive JoAnn material and my hand-me-down material from the 70s and 80s...I prewash everything in my stash and some people will insist that these can't work together....they can and do. Experiment, find rules to break, and enjoy the process. Buy what you want and create your art.

I do mix fabrics as well. Can't always pay the quilt store prices. Could I make a suggestion eweandme? Instead of using yarn to tie your quilt I use embroidery floss. It always looks nicer longer than yarn. Just a suggestion. I use the whole strand. I agree, just feel the fabrics and if they feel stiff and scratchy in anyway I would steer away from them. As you go along you will begin to tell the difference in fabrics. Just go with what you like.

Debbie

I'm with you, most people can't guess the price unless you like telling them :wink:

I too have "seen" some fabric snobs that "must" buy $8/$9 a yard fabric to make their quilts. I personally can't afford that, therefore, I lovingly/laughingly call myself a "fabric snob" because I can't justify spending $60/$70/$80 or more on fabric for just one quilt. I would pretty much be limited to probably one quilt a year at those prices.

Use what you like and what you can afford.

As you may have read already, there are also the pre-washers and not pre-washers.

If you are relatively new to quilting, and you have a limited budget - start with lap quilts. There is a smaller investment - and you can learn as you go.

One of the ladies in my group is always trying some new technique with the baby quilts she makes for her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grand-nephews.

I look at the fabrics I have in my stash - about 20 years worth - and I'm still happy with some of my choices - and there are some fabrics in there that wouldn't even make good rags.

As many of the other posters have said - it's a learn as you go process. But I can understand the desire to not reinvent the wheel - no need to make the same mistakes others have!

I bought several fat quarter sets from Jo-Anns a few years ago.

Most of the pieces weren't even a full 18 inches long.

I much prefer to buy off the bolt than buying fat quarters from JoAnns.

Some vendors seem to have rulers that measure shorter than mine do.

I buy a lot of fat quarters from Joann's however, they have started adding in a cheaper quality fat quarter. The closing sticker is white with black lettering. Since I do primarily scrappy quilts, and the pieces are fairly small, I use them. Joann's does carry good quality fabrics. Just try to stay away from the $2 fabrics from Walmart.

Again thank you all for your opinions!!
Debbie... I took your advise and bought some nice embroidery thread using my 40% coupon from Hobby Lobby and while was there I looked at the fabric and they just started carrying fat quarters they cut themselves from some of their better fabric and are selling the solids for .75 and the printed fabric for 1.00.
Now I just need to finish a quilt, I have about 4 started and all are in different phases :)

This is my first day to post on this board. I have read it for a long time and really enjoyed learning from each of you. I am fairly new to quilting quilts. I have made a lot of wall hangings and love that, but I just made my first quilt for a granddaughter that graduated from high school. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture. I am in the process of making three more for next year's graduations. I am going to be busy. We have 21 grandchildren from ages 20 to 4.

The quilt I am making now requires 4 inch squares with a triangle in two of the opposite corners (I will take a picture soon). Since I wanted all of the squares to be a different fabric, I have been buying cut squares from ebay. I have also bought a lot of fat quarters. I find the fabrics to be very nice and the prices are less than in the store. I set in my mind what I am willing to pay, with shipping added, and stay at that maximum. I am very pleased with my purchases and the fat quarters are lower than even 99cents a piece.

I look forward to contiuning to learn from each of you and will post a picture of what I am doing so you can critique them for my.
Thanks. :D

Welcome to the board Logcabin.
I think the name of the quilt you are referring to is Split 9 Patch. Which makes awesome quilts.

I just read about that pattern in another thread. Someone also added the link to the Quilter's Cache for that pattern.. I couldn't resist but to print it off. It would make a great pattern to use up some of my scrap fabrics!!!

I buy all my fabrics at Walmart. I've never had troubles. In fact, I'm wearing a shirt I made 4 yrs ago and it still looks new. Its was $1 a yrd fabric. I can't afford Quilt store prices, but that's just me. I have also bought from Joanns too..

Some of WalMarts less expensive fabrics are very nice.

They don't have the selection that the quilt shops do, but they don't have the prices, either.

I try to get there right after Halloween and Christmas to get deals on those marked down holiday fabrics.

Donna, I had the same question when I started buying fabric. Here is an article that helped me understand things a bit better, and I hope it helps you as well: http://www.fabrics.net/cotqual.asp I've actually started to collect better fabrics, and have a good time trying to find them reasonably priced.

A far as some of the other comments on this thread, please take a moment and consider that if I made snide comments about shopping at Wal-Mart, I would be run out on the rails and rightfully so. Making snide comments about people who do shop at quilt stores is no better, just reverse snobbery. To look down on either defeats the purpose of the board (IMHO.) Keeping track of my fabric information is so that I can help someone who wants to get some, not so I can "list designers and collections by name in mixed quilt company." I'd like to think I'm still a quilter. I'll happily tell anyone on the board who asks where I got a fabric and what I paid for it - hopefully I can share a bargain I found, not just because I like telling them the price. I happen to have 3 antique quilts that I would give anything to have a label on them so I could know more about the quilts and who made them - if that's a monument, then I can only hope that my great-grandchildren (should I ever have any) appreciate it.

As you can see, there are usually more than one way to look at something, and I hope we can all be more tolerant than exclusionary. I got a wonderful present last weekend, but the tone of these comments kept me from sharing it on the board. Maybe I'm not the only one?

Please don't go by what I said. I'm not a snob or anything towards Quilt Shops. I LOVE quilt shops, and don't see anything wrong with them, but I'm on a budget so buy what I can afford. PERSONALLY.... I don't think it really matters where you get your fabric, just enjoy sewing, and please share with us what your doing. :P

Like everyone else, buy what you like and use it. I always wash it first because I use, Walmart, JoAnn's and they are not created equal. I check my fabric, some of Walmart's $2.00 fabric is fine and others are not. Open it up, you can see if it is thin, the thread count is low and you DON'T want to waste your time on it as it won't last. I have used a lot of their $2-4 fabrics and they are fine. Then Jo Ann's flannels are the same way, some are good and some are too thin. I love my Erica's but nothing is under $8.00 a yard unless it is on clearance and so I usually go there for special fabrics that I can't find anywhere else or to get patterns and ideas. Hope this helps. Bernadette

For me there was - and still is - a learning curve - about what works well and what is a waste of time and money.

I think the original question was to try to shorten that curve - to save both time and expense.

I consider myself an experienced buyer of quilting type cottons, but I've just recently purchased items that didn't work out for the project I was working on. Drat!

I really don't think there is a major shortcut around experience.

If you can, go to quilt shows and look at what the quilters used in their quilts. One can't go touching the quilts bare-handed, but one can get some good ideas about what the fabrics are like.

I mix fabrics all the time and have never had a problem. I don't buy from Joann because they are too far away from me, and their workers are not very pleasant to say the least.