Layer cake vs cutting your own?
 

Hey everyone I need a little help!

I have been wanting to buy a layer cake. They have such pretty colors and so many different fabrics from the same line I just love the look it gives the quilts when I watch like the MSQC tutorials. I've looked around online and the price I find is $39 per layer cake. If it only has approx 2.75 yards of material that like $14 a yard. My question is that a good price or is that more on the pricey side? Most yardage I see is around $10-$11 a yard (which to me seems pricey itself). I buy a lot of my material at hobby lobby where it's 30% off and makes it approx $5 and up a yard (but their seems kind of small). So I'm wondering...

Where do you buy most of your fabric?
Do you have a maximum price you will give a yard?
Does anyone buy layer cakes?
Is that a reasonable price for LC?
Honest opinion on cutting my own vs LC?

I've gotten a couple layer cakes. My problem with them is I don't love every single fabric in the pack. I think the $39 price seems high, but I don't remember what I paid for mine. I think in the future, for me, I'll just pick out the fabrics individually. Usually I get fabric on-line like Ebay and Amazon. Sometimes I get it at quilt shops. Usually the yardage is $11 or so a yard. We don't have Hobby Lobby here otherwise I'd be over there too! I buy a lot of fabric because I love fabric and I'm afraid if I don't get it when I see it, it will be gone.

First rule of thumb, use what you can afford for the projects you want to make. When our Walmart had a fabric section I bought lots of fabric from the discount bin to make clothes for myself and the kids. It was what I could afford that the time.

I made rag quilts with denim on one side about 14 years ago. I approached a local thrift shop and asked them to set aside jeans that they could not sell. I got a huge box a couple months later. They would not give me a price, so I made a $15.00 donation.

Many people make wonderful quilts out of old shirts.

I live in Canada where fabric prices are much higher than in the USA.

I was at my LQS yesterday and bought fabrics ranging in price from $16.00 to $18.50 per metre (about 40 inches). The had a special of 20 % off everything in the store, plus a Valentines Day balloon pop. I got an extra 15% off with the balloon pop, so a total discount of 35%. I bought 8 metres of fabric.

The Batik specialty LQS charges closer to $20.00 per metre, but each month has a colourway that is 25% off, bringing the cost down to $15.00/m

However precuts are pretty much the same price in Canada as the USA, although I have never seen prices that match the Missouri Star Daily Deal.

I have bought and used precuts, especially when I love a line, or as I am somewhat colour challenged, it is great to have all co-ordinating from the start.

However I am making my son a red, white and black quilt. I bought yardage, even though the pattern Jungle Fever, calls for precuts. I wanted lots and lots of variety in the prints I am using. I just cut my own 10 inch squares for this project.

For this project I wanted to use the best quality of fabric I could afford. I shopped for over a year, trying my best to shop sale bins at the LQS. This is his graduation quilt, so I am happy to spend a bit extra on it.

I buy fabric at my LQS, and quilt shows. Our local fabric chain store Fabricland, has quilting fabrics, but they are coarser than the LQS fabrics. Interestingly there is a LQS in the Fabricland and they sell quality brand name quilt fabrics.

I will be in Seattle next month and hope to be able to check out a quilt store, but as I will be traveling with my non sewing friend, I am not sure that I will have a chance.

I buy layer cakes and other pre cuts to have all the fabric co ornate without buying a lot different fabric to cut. And most important to me, all the pre cuts fit perfectly on my Go dies. $35 is about the average price for good quality. Connecting Threads has great prices on the 10 inch cuts but the amount of squares in one stack can be different from each line. I bought some precuts from Ebay but they were not at all accurate. Okay for using the die but not for accurate piecing.

May I suggest that if you want to try a layer cake pack, purchase one from Connecting Threads. The fabric is decent and without spending a lot of $$, it might be a good way to decide if the convenience is worthwhile to you.

I cut my own. Any time I have purchased pre-cuts, they have all been off a lot. mostly undercut sizes. Would rather spend that money on yardage. If I cut it wrong my fault and only have to answer to myself.

As others have said, you're paying for the 'luxury' of having a coordinated package of fabric. Here is a site I use quite a bit:

http://greenfairyquilts.com/

They often have sales and don't charge shipping in the US.

Jane

I usually use yardage and cut my own. I have bought pre cuts in the past if I want lots of variety in one fabric line. I figured yardage out, 40 pieces of 1/3 yd. so I can get just a 10 inch sq of each fabric=13yds of fabric, not ever LQS will carry all 40 different print in a single line. Then what do I do with all the left overs? My stash is already to big and my scraps are overflowing. LOL Add to the $40 layer cake another 2-3 yards background fabric and I still pay less for the top than buying yardage. I am trying to use down my stash right now so right now I am making lots of Pre cuts from my large scras as go.

I buy lots of layer cakes and other pre cuts. I love the variety of fabrics and, for me, having fabrics that work together is a time saver. I can spend more time quilting and less time in the LQS.I get most of my pre cuts on sale from places like Green Fairy Quilts, MSQC's Deal of the Day, etc.

I had never bought any pre-cuts until this past year. Now I get an occasional jelly roll or layer cake from MSQC when they are 40-50% off. With shipping, that's about $25 each which I'm OK with if I really like the line. I usually ignore their charm pack deals since with shipping it's almost full price.
You might want to get on the Craftsy email list. They sometimes have great prices on pre-cuts or clearanced kits with pre-cuts or FQs.

As others have said, the main advantage I see with buying packaged precuts is the fabric variety. However, before buying a precut package of any sort, I do the math in my mind to see if I really need the variety or if cutting (which I don't mind doing and do very accurately) several sale fabrics is the better value. I am never tempted at full price for precuts, but sometimes a sale like the daily deal at MSQC is tempting.

I understand that pre-cuts are convenient, and I have bought some(when I found a good sale or wanted a collection..without looking for all in yardage). One thing I have realized when cutting is that you are also paying the labor involved.

Yes, Layer Cake are expensive and not always well cut. I make mine own. I do prefer Hobby Lobby fabric compared to other chain stores for quality but I also buy fabric online and on eBay. No LQS near me and I don't drive.

I like to cut my own squares, as I always don't care for ALL of the fabric selections, even though they are of the same line. I have quite a stash, so selection isn't a problem for me. I agree with ordering from Connecting Threads, when I have ordered pre-cuts I was pleased with the sample selection.

I buy layer cakes from time to time if it's a line I really like, and it's on sale - usually greenfairy or Craftsy. MSQ has good deals as well, but it's rare that they are featuring a line that I like. I tend to use them when I need something quick for a charity auction or something. It's a timesaver not just in cutting, but in choosing fabric.

I've only bought them on sale and only because of the variety and convenience. But I've had too many precuts not cut just right so I quit buying them. I bought a 10" square for my die cut machine instead. I'll have to get by with less variety.

I've never had a name brand pre cut package have bad cuts. I sure there may be some but so far I haven't gotten one. Like I posted above the only off cuts I've had came from Ebay or Etsy. I won't buy homemade cuts.

Don't know about other locations, but around here the LQSs won't cut a 10" piece, so to get a 10 inch square, you would need to buy 12", which would give you a extra 2" strip (if they cut it exactly square). If you can use it great, otherwise it's going to wind up in your scrap bin. You can cut 4 squares from a length, then you would also have a small leftover strip. With precuts you are paying for labor and convenience, and I'm sure that you also are paying for a bit of wasted fabric. Connecting threads is one site that just charges the price per yard for their precuts. The call 10" squares 'stacks'.

Thanks so much for all the replies! They have been so helpful!

I have seen them from 29-32 so 39 seems high but some sites sell precust in the 40 range as well so it is up to you to shop around for the best price on precuts. I don't pay over 32 for jelly rolls and layer cakes and have gotten some for 25-27 if on sale clearance. I buy precuts for the simple reason is you are not going to get that many fabrics from a line in your stash. Where are you gonna get 40 coordinating fabrics in a stash unless you pretty much have a quilt shop in your house. I know I don't. Also it saves some time on cutting. It takes time to cut all that out which is in turn why they are more expensive because you are paying for the service of cutting. It is ultimately up to you to decide if you want to pay that much. I love jelly rolls and fat quarters, That is the precut I buy the most of but I have a few layer cake/charm packs for certain quilts that call for them. Just google the fabric line and you can find all types of pricing. I have even found awesome deals on etsy for precuts as well

I do both, cut my own and use layer cakes. The last two layer cakes I bought didn't contain as many fabrics that I liked as I had hoped they would. When I cut my own, I can use fabric I like, even fewer fabrics, if I want. I am making one right now from a pattern that called for a layer cake, but I am only using 5 fabrics. I like the results a lot.

Dina

The off cuts I've had have been from Riley Blake and Moda. I have had 2 layer cakes that weren't exactly square, at least 2 or 3 charm packs that weren't exactly square, and one jelly roll with a big angle in the middle of almost every strip. I had to adjust my plans for the jelly roll because of it.

I usually cut my own. Its' so much cheaper. I also check out the thrift stores. I purchased 4 Yards of a batik for $1.00, it had been washed and needed ironing but it is a beautiful piece of material. I also check out all estate sales or yard sales, a lady here passed and had over $40,000 worth of fabric!! All was being sold for 1/2 price so I spent $100 for beautiful fabric that was $5.00 a yard from a local lqs, still had tags on it

Watch missouri star daily deals. I garb gotten some there for a pretty good price. Unless it is something specific I don't usually pay the 39$

I use MSQC for precuts, can't beat their price. I buy either charm packs or layer cakes but they have other precuts

We are fortunate in our area to have a Fabric shop (not a quilt shop) that has just about every type of fabric you can imagine. Fleece, silks, satins, lace and all trims, quilting fabric, backing up to 120" wide, batting, minkie, upholstery fabric. I believe the store is about 40 ft x 125 ft in size. On Tuesdays they have senior citizen days and you get 10% off. It is called Wilson Fabrics and I just love to go there. Their prices range from $2.99 a yard for flat folds and discontinued fabrics up to $11.99 for some collegiate fabrics ($14.99 for 60" wide). Average is about $6.99 to $8.99 per yard. That is the only way I can afford fabric for quilting. I think $39 for a layer cake. For that price I think I would cut my own.

This is a great store. I have only used them online but their customer service is impeccable.

If you are a fan of MSQC you should take advantage of their deals which they offer almost daily. I have gotten FQ's, charm packs and jelly rolls from them, which I usually buy whenever I see a set that I like.

Myself, I like buying layer cakes. You get 40 different coordinating fabrics and the ones you don't really care for you can put aside for a scrap quilt. Imagine having to pick out 40 different bolts of fabric!!

Pre cuts are pricy but, you do get benefits. You can get an entire line, if your fabric shop doesn't purchase the entire line. Also, I have found that precuts used entirely are too busy for me. So I like to add a solid white, cream or other color to stretch the line. Most precut patterns use all the precuts so there is no over spending on fabric.

Have you tried Missouri Star Quilt company? They have a daily deal and always have the precuts - layer cakes, charm squares, jelly rolls - on sale. They are usually reasonably priced. www.missouristarquiltco.com just sign up to receive their newsletter and each day you will receive the daily deal. Good Luck

I've gotten a couple from "Craftsy", but wasn't too impressed....they weren't all accurate and I really don't like the pinked edges....BYW, they were Moda........

I occasionally get precuts, but only when they are on sale. Places like Tuesday Morning, Big Lots, and other similar stores offer really good pricing but have very limited selection.
Otherwise I prefer to cut my own from stash. Of course they are not from any particular 'line' of coordinated fabrics that way.

I agree with all of the above. I have only bought precuts at the Missouri Star Qlt Co. when I liked a tutorial that Jenny
did.
Otherwise there are fabric deals to be had at:
(1) Thousands of bolts but only one nut- usually all first quality fabrics are $4/yd
(2) Marshall's Dry Goods - again, most < $5/yd.
(3) Connecting Threads - first quality fabric for $5.96 with frequent sales - sign up for the newsletter. I have gotten great fabrics for $2.96/yd.
Good luck - Judy

It would take a lot of effort to figure out and order a piece of yardage for an entire fabric line. If you buy 1/4 yard, you then will have to contend with a straight cut for each fabric. I don't buy precuts often but when the colors/patterns strike my fancy, I will give in.

I don't buy pre cuts. I cut my own.

I love MSQC! Have been buying from them since March of 2013, which is about when I became more serious about quilting. I also receive the daily deal note and they often have jelly rolls and layer cakes for $20 and even a bit under. Shipping is $5 for all orders yet that still makes a pretty inexpensive layer cake. And it is the variety that you get in a pack that makes it worth it. Cut and ready to go! Does it get any easier??? Plus, you earn points that convert back to cash to use on future orders.... And the customer service is just wonderful.... Maybe it's because I am a newer quilter? I don't have the skills or confidence to choose that many fabrics to coordinate. Precuts really help......

I'd suggest you sign up with Jenny Doan's site, MSQ.com, and get on the Deal of the Day daily specials. She offers lots of layer cakes on there for a little over $20 when they are the daily deal.

I also buy them on EBay and have had good luck.

Another MSQ fan here. I will warn you if you sign up for their daily deals you will find yourself buying a deal at least once a week. A typical deal is a charm pack for $2 and even with shipping that's only $7. Add a yard of fabric for $7 and that's a beautiful LQS fabric project for $14.
Last week I ordered the new Summer Breeze III by Moda fabrics layer cake for $23 at MSQ. I really liked the line and have just been waiting for it to become available. Not sure exactly what I'm going to do with it yet, but I purchased extra yardage. I hit a sale on line at Sauder's fabric and purchased yardage of my favorites from the line for $6.84 a yard. I'm going to make a carpenter's star quilt using 3 of the fabrics in the line. I'm going to cut the yardage into 12 inch squares to piece the carpenter's star. Precuts will not work for the project I have in mind.
There's particular brands of fabric I find I normally like and I enjoy working with those brands. I prefer to shop for them. I like precuts and try to purchase them when I find a deal and they fit the project I have in mind. I'm a sucker for a charm pack.

Best prices on precursor are at Green Fairy Quilts on-line.