I had to make a baby quilt in a hurry this weekend and the only place that was open was Wal-Mart. I bought some fabric in 100% cotton and also in flannel. When I got home and started making the quilt I was amazed at how crappy the fabric was. It was thin and the color was uneven. The flannel was horrible. You could actually see through it. The fibers would pull apart on the flannel. I ended up just finishing the quilt and I am just going to donate to a local women's shelter. I will wait until after work today and go to my local fabric shop and get good fabric to make the other baby quilt.

Have you ever noticed that about Wal-Mart fabric?

It depends on the fabric you choose to purchase and the store stock. Some of it isn't the best quality and some of it is actually quite nice. I have some that has washed and held up quite nice. I really look at it though and before I spend my money I make sure it is good quality stuff.

I guess I should have been more careful in my selection. I'm sure they have better quality than what I purchased. It was only $2.97/yard. I'm sure they had more expensive stuff. You get what you pay for.

I do notice that with the baby childrens prints, our WM has a back wall with really nice baby children selection and nice fabric some of the others is crooked and thin. Ours also has great flannel. I made a lot of burp cloths and it didn't shrink like the stuff I got at Joanns. I think the flannel was close to 4$ a yard.

Depends on the fabric itself not on where you buy it or price in my opinion. I've bought fabric from Walmart, Joanns and local quilt shops. Some has been wonderful and some has been garbage -- from all locations and in all price ranges. You really have to look closely and feel the fabric no matter where you shop.

Is this a case of... Never mind the width, feel the quality?

Before WalMart closed the fabric dept. here, I would buy the $6 a yard fabric. It was very nice 100% cotton. It wasn't on the quilt fabric wall. I have no complaint with WalMart cheaper fabric and have many utility quilts that have been in use for years and still going strong made from WalMart bargain fabric. Now flannel or fleece I don't waste my time with the less quality stuff. It isn't worth it.

I bought some white on white at Joanns a while back it was thin and I could hardly work with it. I went to WM and bought the same exact fabric and pattern, there was no comparison. the fabric I bought at WM was QS quality compared to Joanns. But as stated before, you have to be careful of all of thier fabric. Be sure and look to see what you are buying. Some are good some are not so good and they all say 100% cotton. Hope this helps you.

Rita

Unfortunately, much of this learned by experience.

I agree ... you really have to pay attention to the fabric, no matter where you buy it thinking. Hancock has some good fabrics on the shelves too.

I always play "touchy feely" with my fabric before I buy it. I'll even lay it down, unroll it and "play" with it.
I NEVER rely on what the sticker says on the end of the bolt. I was buying some fabric at a quilt shop one time. Read the sticker, it said 100% cotton, only to get it home and the fabric was crap. Didn't realize it at the time because I didn't really play with the fabric. Brought the stuff back to the shop and the lady told me that they sold NOTHING but 100% cotton. When I went to the shelf and pulled the bolt off, the lady felt the fabric...same as what I was showing her and she says....well, that's NOT ours, someone must have snuck that bolt in there on the shelf!!!

Thank you for your replies. This really helps. I will be much more selective and will definitely "play" with my fabric before I purchase it.

I thought touchy feely were all part of the fabric, I just go in the stores sometimes for my feel fix. I tell them I just came in for a free feel. Of course there are times that it gets me in trouble that free feel ends up to be not so free, but hey thats what I'mm talk bout.

Rita

I noticed that about Walmart fabric 10 years ago. I made a twin size scrap quilt with fabrics from a swap. One of them was a Walmart fabric. It had a tear in it before I even finished the quilt!! They still sell that exact same print 10 years later.

One way Walmart keeps prices down is to demand their suppliers lower their costs every year. Once you've offshored the manufacturing the only way left to lower costs is to lower the quality of the goods, cheaper griege, cheaper dyes. Walmart only cares about cost, not quality.

I worked at Wal-Mart for 15 years, and know that they will take back anything that isn't as it should be, and give a refund. I am amazed at how many people don't know this.
I have always had good luck with fabric purchased at Wal-Mart. Our store is the only store with fabric in town. I have not ever had bad luck with any of it, but I do know that customer satisfaction is their goal. I would just take it back and try it out on returning for a refund.

Almost all my fabric comes from walmart and joanns.....I've heard it all before...buy the best you can afford..