I am making a whitework sampler and want a different color for the background than the pattern shows (theirs is medium yellowish brown) - I want an aqua background-Connecting threads has just the color I want in their "Mirage" line-and was wondering if any of you have used that fabric and what the quality is. I will be using Kona white solid for the applique, which I know is nice quality. I just don't want the background fabric to be too flimsy to thin compared to the Kona applique. I was also thinking of using a Mirage fabric for the backing. There is a picture of the Whitework Sampler on the board which someone posted a while ago if you want to see it. Anyway, just wanted some opinions from those of you who have used it.

I've purchased their fabric about 3-4 times on the internet and am quite pleased with them. Granted, their supplier is not Moda or one of the big names, but the fabric seems quite good.

I get all my thread from them...love it. No lint from the spool.

I went berzerk on their clearance section and ordered 26 yards of fabric and it came in last week. It seems to be really good quality and just GORGEOUS. The only problem I have is that some of the fabrics just don't match up the way I thought they would since I couldn't see them in person. However, I've already begun rearranging my plans for it. I love all 26 yards :)

Yes, I have heard their thread is good. I have lots of thread (always get a bunch when it is 50% off), but I am thinking of getting some of theirs, anyway. I was just a bit concerned about the fabric since the price is only $4.96/yard-thought it might be the same quality as the Joann's Keepsake or Wallmart-and I wouldn't mind if the whole quilt was make of that, but I already bought my Kona cotton for the applique. Thanks for your input!

Wow-26 yards!! I can see how easy it would be-their prices are really good. In fact, while I was searching for the aqua color I wanted, I found a few more I really liked!! Plus, free shipping on $50.00 or more! I can throw a few spools of thread and spend that easily!

Yeah, my stash was looking a bit anorexic. I got a lot of their 1930s reproduction fabrics. I think they would be perfect for a Cathedral Window quilt. And Christmas stuff of course! It averaged out to about $3/yard. Not bad, not bad :)

I found the CT Mirage line to be thin...love the colors, but not the quality I was hoping for!

That is what I was worried about-especially once washed-plus, it needs to be a good weight to handle the heavy applique with the Kona cotton. I usually don't buy on-line fabric because you cannot really be sure of the color and I like to feel the fabric between my fingers!! I am heading to Joann's Friday (big Memorial Day sale) to see what they have, armed with my coupons and additional 10% off-I have to be down there in the area anyway on Friday, so I thought I would just check it out before deciding on Connecting Threads. Thanks!

why don't you order 1/2 yard. i'm sure if its not the quality you need you can add it to your stash.

I like CT fabric in general, but I'm not familiar with their Mirage line. Have you looked for Kona in the aqua color you want? They seem to offer quite a range of colors, and the price is very reasonable.

I have been very pleased with it...for the price...but nothing beats the name brands...for quality...

I have ordered there for years - just love their fabric.

So far what I've bought and used of CT fabrics is OK for the price, but not what I'd call LQS quality. They have a lot of fun novelty prints, and the fabric is very affordable, but my current opinion based on the Birchtree Lane, Around Town, and Bits and Bobbins lines is "just ok, nothing to rave about, decent quality for the price". HTH

i find their fabric to be to thin.

i would use their fabric for backing on a wallhanging but nothing else.

I have a great deeal of it from their year end clearance. I love it. The factory seconds are great for backing ad I believe it is $1.48 a yard right now. I lost my mind but I could not help it and is waiting for the next HUGE clearance. Not the itty bitty 20%-30% sales they are having right now. Believe me....they have even better ones than that around December-January time frame. lol.

z and s fabrics is having 50% off everything on their site and is it is name brand fabric. The rented mule quilt is having 25% off everything.

I personally like connecting threads fabric for the most part (got some layer cakes and jelly roll strip - but I am spoiled to Moda and was a little disappointed but still used them), but if I already had name brand fabric for the rest of the quilt, I'd probably get more of the name brand. That's my personal opinion only.

I have purchased fabric from Connecting threads several times and have been completely satisfied with the quality.

I like them just fine.

I love their fabrics...but I would agree with the lady who said maybe buy a small piece first, just to see what it is like before buying a bunch!

I have purchased LOTS of fabric from them and am quite happy with all of it. The time it takes from when I order to when I get the package is about 7-10 days, which is a bit long for me. But then again, maybe I'm just impatient.

I have only gotten the batiks. I love them. They feel at least as thin as the lqs's. but that is just me. I haven't tried the other lines from them yet. but been thinking about it. I would order some and see what you think.

This is something you will need to decide for yourself. Some people love their fabric, some hate it. I don't know if the different lines they offer are different weights, but my cousin (a quilting instructor) was here a couple of weeks ago and wanted to know where I got a particular CT fabric because it was so thick, however, this fabric was not from their mirage line.
I would order a yard and see.

I don't think it's LQS quality. I would order a small cut and judge for yourself.

There have been a LOT of threads on this topic. Do a search using the search feature above on "connecting threads fabric".

Personally, it's not in the same quality level as LQS. It's thin and I've been rather disappointed. Their customer service is awesome, their thread and material quality not so, IMO.

Yes, I have located the color in Kona, but I really wanted the background of this quilt to have some texture since the applique is absolutely plain white. Maybe if I thought about it more and planned better, I might have bought the Kona for the background and found a textured white for the applique, but I already bought the Kona. If I don't find a texture in the color, I might just put the white Kona aside for something else, and buy the Kona background in the Aqua/turquoise I like and buy a tonal white for the applique. I would still want the white to be thick enough for the background not to show thru. I HATE making these decisions. This quilt HAS to be a show-stopper-and after putting that much work into it, I don't want to be dissappointed. Thanks!

I'm going to their warehouse sale on Sept 10. Fabric is $2.96/lb. Yardage is at least 4" wide and 24" long. Yarn is $12/lb. Sounds like a "pot of gold". Hope it is!!! :-)

P.S. Yes, it is yardage and yarn by the POUND. Bring your own bags to fill!

I have bought a lot of fabric from Connecting Threads and I really like it. But their mirage is a lighter weight fabric than the others. It washes beautifully and have never had one bleed.

If you call them, they will send you a swatch. Not sure if they charge for this. It is worth a try.

Well, just spent over an hour on their site - and bit the bullet and bought 17 yards of fabric, thread and a pattern, and all for $80.00-free shipping and no sales tax! If the fabric isn't right for this whitework sampler, I should find a use for it on some other quilt-I just love the color. The other two fabrics weren't the mirage fabric, so maybe they will be a bit better. Can't wait to get it-I never order on-line because I can't "fondle" the fabric first!! Thanks everyone-I also read the previous threads on the board-don't know why I didn't think of that!

OK update-I got my CT fabrics-and they seem fine!! The colors I LOVE, and they feel really nice. I guess the test will be how they feel after I wash them. Hope I am not disappointed. The price was really good-the Mirage (Robin's egg color) was on clearance for only $2.96/yd, another Quilters Candy was $4.96 and the last was $5.96-very reasonable-with free shipping and no sales tax! I don't always pre-wash, but since I haven't used this fabric yet and I am using it with white applique, I think I would be wise to wash first. I also got a bit of thread to try. Thanks everyone for your advise and opinions! I can't wait to start this quilt, but probably won't make a start until I get back from Vanuatu in November.

I just went to their warehouse sale... $2.96 a pound! Woot!

I ordered about 12 yards then went back and got a lot more. The aqua coordinated very well with my authentic 30's fabric scraps left by my great aunts. It has terrific drape and a silky feel. It is not as beefy as kona, and actually I like it better. One possible drawbak is that the tomato red faded a bit when I washed it. The color it became is also lovely but I will use it in a different project than the one I had in mind.

Wish I was in a reasonable distance to it! Can you post a pic of what you got so I can drool and be envious!! LOL

Went to the sale too! Ohhh, how fun. When I was there it seemed more people were there for the yarn! Got some great batiks, etc., etc.! :-)