I purchased 2 yds of fabric at a quilt shop in South Dakota when I was on vacation. I live in Calif. I went to use the fabric on a quilt last night and discovered it is stained. The fabric is a beautiful yellow and orange and has spots of something dark blue in it . I tried washing it out but didn't work. It makes about 1/2 to 3/4 yd not useable. Quilt is for a Christmas gift. Should I call the shop and tell them and see what they will do or just eat it and use the good part on something else? What would you do?

If you can contact the place where you bought it, I would, to see what they will do about it. No need to eat it, if you don't have too.

I have always folded my fabric myself....either at Walmart, JoAnns or my LQS. I inspect it with an eagle eye because I don't like suprises down the road. I've found fabric flaws on fabric from all 3 above mentioned stores so, the moral of the story, is buyer beware.

Just my 2 cents...

from experience with SD quilt shops........please call them. I am sure they will work with you. Plus who knows if they haven't already gone through this with someone else.

I am originally from the Black Hills area, and have thousands of $$$$$ on fabric spent there. PM mean if you have additional questions.

Me, too. Although I wasn't big into quilting when I lived there. You'll find most folks are very fair and helpful in that neck of the woods.

I have occasionally found a problem or defect. Usually I can't remember where I got it by the time I go to use it so I don't have much recourse. It doesn't happen very often though.

I would call the shop to ask them.

If you give them the opportunity, most folks are very fair and helpful in ALL places, not just South Dakota. I'd contact the shop manager/owner and try to work something out. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain...same could be said for the shop owner. ;)

I would definitely call the store. If nothing else to let them know that their clerks are not paying enought attention when they are cutting. My all-time favorite fabric store - Yoder's in Shipsewana - always flips over all of the fabric before they cut it. {That didn't make sense} When they are getting ready to cut your fabric, they will unroll the bolt enough to have what you are wanting, then visually check both sides before cutting. My husband says that this is 'just because the women are Amish' but I say it is because they are quilters and sewers themself. I try to always look over my fabrics before I leave the store. If I haven't been able to really look at it while it is being cut, I will go the back where there is an extra table and unfold it, examine it and refold it. I ALWAYS fold better than most of the store employees do.

But I would call the store. If I was the owner I would want to know. Customer service is - or should be - their number one priority.

True, it would be a nice gesture for the shop to help out. That being the simplest way to handle it; call, alert the shop of the problem, problem corrected, end of story.

However I wouldn't get comfortable thinking that's the way it will be. You were there, purchased said fabric, left the store. By that, you accepted the fabric "as is". So the shop, if they take the stance, has no verifiable proof that you ruined the fabric in some way and are trying to scam them for more. And more importantly, you do not have the proof to refute any such argument.

But as most have pointed out, the majority of shops will do what it takes to help out and find an agreeable solution. Hoping the best for you.

I bought a little bit of fabric, and I am piecing. I have attached this piece of fabric ( it's just a block) and it is toward the end.
The fabric is a very light tan, perhaps what you would call antique white, and has very small white flowers. I noticed after this was all attached, that there is something on this one block. It did not show through to the front. I tried to dab this out from the back. No luck, but, still does not show through to the front so I am happy with that