I've read a few comments here about how the new Moda designs are coming in on thinner cloth. We noticed it, too, with one of their lines.

I e-mailed their customer service department to ask about it, and they told me that they had printed (and will print) some of the lines on a 75x75 cloth with finer threads that gives a softer hand, and which is actually more costly (to them) than the 60x60 cloth that they had been using.

Have you personally noticed a difference? Do you have a preference for one over the other, and has it made a difference in what you buy?

I like the fabric that is 65 threads per inch. 75 seems a little tight for quilt fabric. The higher weave possible takes the dyes better so that may be why the change for some of the lines, lots of different colors in the design or maybe different dyes are being used. The cloth cost more but maybe the new dye being used cost less. You'll never get a real straight answer to why, just the pros of why. I doubt the reps or employees or even the designer know unless they are in on the manufacturing cost decisions.

My preference is a good combination of the thread count AND the weight of the threads. It's the overall weight of the fabric that matters to me. Smaller, tightly twisted threads do not take dye as well as more loosely twisted threads as it does not penetrate as deeply. I would also be willing to bet they are using fewer fibers in the thread to save money.

i was given a swatch of the 75x75 and it does have a soft feel to it but the fabric is so thin i wouldn't even consider using it as backing for a wall hanging.


i do a bulk of my fabric shopping online and the stores don't explain the thread count so its hard for me to know which Moda line are thin and which aren't so i'm just going to avoid Moda until they stop using the thin fabric.

I weighed a 15-yard bolt of the 60x60 and it was 5 lbs. 7 oz.

The 75x75 weighed in at 4 lbs. 2 oz.

Considering that the cardboard is also included in that... there is at least 25% less material by weight in the 75x75. I asked if the different fabric was chosen as a cost-saving measure and that's when I was told that the 75x75 actually costs the maker more.

I've talked specifically with one of our main suppliers about this, as they are planning on going to 75 square fabric as well. He told me a couple things;

First, it depends on the thread thickness as to how well it'll feel and what it will weigh. So that means there is good 75 square fabric and not-so-good.

Second, the reason some are going that route is that even though it is more expensive than 60 square, it's easier right now to obtain. It seems there's not as much demand for 75 square, so it's more obtainable than 60 square.

I guess we'll have to see what it comes in looking like...

Wow, that's a significant difference isn't it! On your scale of fabric weights, does that still qualify as medium?

Hmmm, my mind is seeing the situation......I love mind seeing situations........ so the cloth is woven on machines that do 75 threads and that fabric isn't in demand so there is more of it available and the manufacturer doesn't want to have that equipment at a stand still so made a darn good deal to have plenty of the 75 available guaranteed. The 60 cloth may or may not be available when needed but cost less when it is.
Moda has more new fabric lines then any other fabric manufacture. I don't think the quality of the fabric will be bad, just different. I'm willing to buy and try.

It's not the same as what we've become accustomed to as "medium"... so I really can't call it that.

But this is becoming a rather complicated issue! And I'm going to have to become more knowledgeable about all the different kinds of greige goods that the fabric companies are printing on.

Until I acquire that knowledge... well, I shall call these ones "Printed on 75x75 cloth." It's the best description that I have at this point.

Where does a person/shop find out this information? I have never, in 20 years, had a rep give me a thread count.