The Hunt for Opaque White Fabric
 

I need white. Plain white in a good, solid cotton that you can't see every thread through.

Went to my local chain store here in Canada. $18.00 a metre. (...I get 20% off because I bought a membership for $20.00, but that's still no savings yet.) The LQS is the same price. For plain white cotton.
You can get a lighter weight for $14.00/m but then you can see every seam allowance that you missed straight through it.
Remember to add 13% tax.

I walked out without getting it.

Next time I get to the US, I'm buying 8 yards of Kona white with a 50% off coupon, but that doesn't help me right now.

Watson...just frustrated

I’m having the same problem here in the UK at the moment. I know fabric is more expensive over here and I can deal with this when it is pretty and in nice colours etc. But to pay it for plain white... and white that is seemingly such poor quality?! It just frustrates me. I bought a couple of yards of white last time I did a USA order but I used it all in one quilt - knew I should have bought more...

How much is the shipping from MSQC? Or maybe fat quarter shop? I wish I could help, would it be any better to have someone in the states buy it and send it?

Hi Watson,

Sew Sisters have Kona solids at $12.99 Can. per meter. Maybe you can order a small quantity for your present project, to tide you over until you can get to the U.S.

I've ordered from them many times, and have always been satisfied. Shipping is reasonable. Also they always have an interesting selection in their Clearance section at $8.99 Can.

I hate when you are fired up to do some sewing and you can’t! Sure you can work on something else but that isn’t what you really want to be doing.:thumbdown:

I buy solid color fabric by the bolt at Marshall's Dry Goods. It's Dream Cotton. I don't know if shipping out of US would make it too expensive but I pay less then $2.50 a yard by the bolt. Usually 15 -25 yard bolts. I cannot tell any difference of DreamCotton from Moda Bella.

Thinking outside the box, what about buying white cotton sheets? How does that compare with fabric shops?

Whites are the hardest to find in a good heavy weight, so that you don't have to worry about see-thru!

Do you need totally white ... or a WOW?
Sometimes I have had better luck in getting "solid" by using a WOW.

Another place for you to check .... good ol' Len's!

This is Marshall's shipping quotes for Canada
[h=4]Canada Shipping by Yardage[/h]

45” Flat Cotton Shipping Prices

• Up to 10 yards = $24.95
  
• 11- 28 yards = $47.75
  
• 29- 48 yards = $62.35

60” -118” will be calculated by weight Fed Ex or USPS, whichever is cheaper

Thank you Onebyone for posting this. I need a white that isn't see-through. I am going to check out prices today.

There's also Quilted Twins(https://www.quiltedtwins.com/fbty-whites) although they don't have just a solid white. You could also try Thousands of Bolts. Both of these have excellent customer service, although I don't remember the shipping cost at Thousands of Bolts, but Quilted Twins has VERY reasonable price shipping, although I don't know about shipping to Canada or overseas.

I have used 100% cotton sheets that I bought on sale. There is a lot of yardage in a twin set of sheets with a pillowcase.

I have found three possibilities for you. They are Canadian stores that I have dealt with and have been very pleased with their products and service. When I went on their websites I searched for white cotton. Hope this helps.
https://www.flarefabrics.ca
https://store.alongcamequilting.com
https://www.stitchintheditch.com

I don't know if you have second hand shops like Good Will or Salvation Army stores like we do in the U.S. But have you tired looking for used white sheets. Or just look for good quality cotton in dresses, men's shirt that can be used in your quilts. You will be surprised how much material you can get out of a mans shirt! I know new fabric is wonderful but used fabric can do up pretty in a quilt to!

ff
have you check out WEBFABRICS in the US? She has found a way to dramatically discount international shipping with all orders going out on a WED. Her fabrics are TOP QUALITY......send an email to either [email protected] or [email protected] to get more info on the savings on international shipping.

What about using 2 layers of white?

I recently used a good heavy cotton twill ( likely meant to sew a skirt) and found it at less than $10 at the same chain in Canada.

I buy 108" wide Kona Snow because it is cheaper per square foot than a 44" wide yard. I buy it from Amazon. I don't know what shipping to Canada would do to the cost.

https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Kaufma...ona+white+wide

I haven't noticed any seams showing through white when the quilt top is layered and quilted. Nothing shows like it does when it is just the top and nothing on back to block out the see through.

In your situation, I would buy the least expensive, but still good quality, and just use double fabric in the white areas. I have had to do that with some yellows too.

Unless you are a hand quilter, you might be able to buy a nice white sheet too.

You might want to check out Jordan Fabrics in Oregon. I thought they mailed international. Sorry you are in need of fabric and it costs so much. I think all fabric costs have gone way high and out of control. I am trying to work with my stash and use some up.

Thanks, everyone.
I am planning a trip to the US on Wednesday as long as the weather holds, so I'll stock up then.
I'll also look into those shipping rates.

Watson

I was in your boat and never really found a great white that didn't show the seam allowance. I solved the problem by purchasing very white bleached batting (I ended up with an 80/20 blend but would have preferred 100% cotton). It truly made a huge difference.

I am working on my third quilt with white as a background and using Kona Cotton color "snow" since it provides a little softness, not bright white, but looks white against the other fabric.

Good luck and happy quilting!

I prefer Kona Snow..not quite so bright. Available at Hancocks of Paducah ..usually about $6 or less.

I hear you!!! Not too long go I went to Joanne's to get one piece of fabric. I bought it it but when I got it home, it seemed so sleaszy I haven't used it and probably won't.

Buy a 100% cotton white sheet. You get lots of fabric and they work great in quilts. Sheets are almost always a better quality fabric than those thin whites you can read a book thru.

Is there a way to get a U.S. mailbox, ...then post office could hold your package ...you could mail order from any U.S. company, then time your trips to go pick it up.

I use a good quality cotton bed sheet. Pick them up at the thrift store cheap. Lots of yardage and can't see through them.

I'm not so sure the Kona is all that much thicker anymore. I was looking for exactly the same thing, a nice weight White Kona Cotton. I too walked out, without spending a dime. Very sad indeed.

I find ALL fabric is starting to be very thin, no matter cost or the mfg. CHEAPLY MADE. Once we lost our USA mfg we lost quality. I recently came across some older fabric I've had for a really long time. It is WAY better quality then anything I have in my current fabrics. Clothing is the same. Cheap, stretchy fabric that pills up and looks badly after only a few washings.

I like the quality of Marshall's dream cotton..still great quality.

I feel your pain on both accounts. Just completed a quilt top using Kona white. Not worried too much about seams showing but what a pain clipping every single loose thread for fear it will migrate to a white section and show through. I really try to shop local or use Sew Sisters but for Kona I go to MSQC. $6 US. Even taking into account extra 3” when sold by metre and the exchange rate it is a great deal. Plus when they have free shipping to US they reduce shipping charge for Canada to $5. I am 2 hrs away from Sew Sisters and they charge $10 Cdn to ship.

Thanks, everyone...going to the US tomorrow..if the weather holds...so I'll hope to pick up some then.

Watson

Let us know what you get. Have you looked at Quilted Twins in Dade City, Fl? Theirs is very inexpensive but still good stuff. Marcia