New quilt fabrics
 

Does anyone else think that maybe the manufacturers put out too many new lines of fabric all the time? Seems I can't keep up with the lines of fabric from just a few favorite manufacturers. Quilt shops must have a hard time keeping up with all the changes too. There's no way I can make a quilt or project from every line I love.

Just that much more to tempt you with my dear!

I usually fabric shop for specific projects. That makes it easier to choose.

It forces you to purchase the entire coordinate line at the same time. Afterall, who knows if it will be there next month.

There is an amazing number of fabrics being produced. I find Fabric Shack is an excellent website to use, to keep up with what's coming out, as they carry a wide variety and their website is a breeze to use. If you click on 'shop', and then on 'new arrivals' (or however it is they phrase that), and do this a few times a week or month, you can quickly make note of what's recently come out. If you go to Hawthorne Threads (specializing in modern fabrics) and sign up for their newsletter, which is beautifully set up and easy to scan through, and if you go to Shabby Fabrics and sign up for their newsletter, which is equally beautiful and easy to scan through, you will pretty much have the new fabric lines covered.

As for choosing -- that's a different story! My main goal is to try and resist buying fat quarter bundles, which use up such a big chunk of the monthly budget. But I find them so appealing.

I agree there are more fabric lines than I have time to investigate, let alone make a quilt from. That said, I love that we are provided with such an abundance of choices. You're sure to find exactly what you want or need. I hope that never ends.

There is no such thing as too much fabric! hehe
Seriously, though, I really enjoy having something new to look at every month. If I can't find exactly what I want when I first go in, odds are there will be something new coming in soon. I guess it all depends on what color scheme you prefer. I love doing a polychromatic scheme for baby quilts. It is sometimes difficult to find 8+ fabrics that all work together at once. I often end up hitting 2-3 LQS'es in order to get them all. I suppose I could just do everything in Kona solids but what fun is that??? :o

I agree there are many lines, however, we don't have to buy it all (do we?) I've found that if I buy what I really like it all works in the end. I will admit to liking to put many fabrics in a quilt and to having a stash that is w-a-a-a-y to large.

Back when I first started making quilts (1975) about all there was to choose from were small calico prints. I really enjoy all the choices we have now. Not everyone likes the same thing, civil war, 1930's reproductions, novelty, modern, florals, we are so lucky to have so much to choose from!

Yes, there are so many to chose from. I too get the email from Fabric Shack and can look at what is new in their store.

Yep they are schemers to us dreamers..... Bless their creative hearts

Thank God we keep seeing more lines, if not, then I would start to worry that the love of quilting has gone. I don't usually by several in a line. I also can't afford to, but am glad to know I have many choices when the time comes.

I just wish some of the "favorite" prints would stay around longer. Nothing worse than needing a bit more and finding out the manufacturer is no longer making that print. I remember when certain prints were always available.

I too wish some would stay around longer! Stitchit123 - what an appropriate (and cute) saying!!! I know we are "blessed" to have such a large amount to choose from, I guess I just think it gets overwhelming at times. And a fixed budget doesn't allow me to purchase everything I like either. Guess a lot of us are in that boat together.

I have fabrics I bought way back and the newer colors do not match them or go with them. So if I don't have coordinating fabrics to go with them then I make scrappy quilts. I know it is my fault for buying 4 - 6 yds. of most fabrics I have, and some more than that.

The fact that fabrics come and go is one of the things that makes quilts so fascinating and unique. You know no one will ever be making another quilt with that fabric. It also works well as a sales incentive: If we see something we really love -- better grab it now. But I believe there are blenders and basics that stay around for a longer time.

This is the reason that people talk about "dated" fabrics that they just couldn't possibly use for quilt making; this despite the price of the fabric. I love new lines of fabric, also, but because I am slow as cold oatmeal, I know when I buy one of a new line it will be "dated" before I ever get to it. My motto is to buy what looks good, be sure you got enough of it for some project or other, and not worry about whether it is the latest or the "datedist." Does anyone else share my amusement at the popularity of reproduction fabrics from the early 20th century? froggyintexas

I'm also careful about what I buy--total love has to exist before money changes hands!

Also, some of my best quilts, I believe, are made with fabrics that are several years old. Just because you don't get to a fabric or collection as soon as you buy it doesn't mean it needs to forever languish in a drawer or closet out of fear of looking dated. Enjoy your fabric, no matter how old it is!

I never really thought about it, but I truly like all the choices. I cannot afford all of them, but I sure do like to look.

I like watching the fabric trends and the new designs that are created.

I have a love - hate relationship with all the new fabric lines. I love all of the new fabrics and hate that I can't buy everything I like because I like way too much of the new fabric.

remember also when we were kids (70 & over) there were only 3 or 4 cereals on the shelves…
and cars, Ford, Chevy, Buick, Cadillac and maybe one or two more…but today.wow, what a choice!

They put out an overkill and seem to retire the good ones too soon

If I want a whole line of a fabric I'll buy a jelly roll, but I can't afford to buy them often, I'm always on the look for a really good sale, then MAYBE I'll buy more but that seldom happens. My stash is growing from left over fabric and I now usually buy only what I need for a certain quilt pattern. Mostly wide backings at the moment.