You did nothing wrong. It is a good question to ask when you are just starting out.
We all ruffle each other feathers like any family but we all have a common thread in the fact that we make quilts.

For years I put off quilting because I went into a quilt shop to get some filler fabrics and I had mentioned that most of the fabric in my planned lap quilt was from walmart. Well I got an ear full and I did not quilt for YEARS because I felt if I couldn't afford it then I couldn't do it.

My reason for posting was to let you know that it is okay to shop at those places
So I was just wanting to let you know that if you want fabric form wlamart joanne or lqs then you get what you want there is no wrong way to make a quilt it is your artistic expression.

Dont let this thread scare you off we are all really a nice bunch :)

Ebony - I have purchased decent / nice fabric from both JoAnns and Walmart. I have also purchased incorrectly printed and / or off grain fabric for a premium cost at the LAQ. Rule of thumb - feel the fabric, look at is carefully, buy what you like and what you can afford.

Please help me, why should polyester batting not be used?

Feeling is believing! It still may wash up icky, or shrink a ton, but wash it first and you'll solve most of those issues. Our ancestors made quilts from worn clothing and they made it work. Not everyone can afford $9 a yard, so feel your way through and learn what good fabric feels like. You can find it everywhere. And it's probably on sale!

If you stepped on anyone's toes, they probably needed to be stepped on! :P

The 'right' way to quilt, is with love. Yeah, it's helpful if the fabric lasts too, but the only thing that matters is the people who see your quilts, the ones who are comforted by them, also feel the love you put into them and treasure them because you made them!

We get what we can afford, that's why so many different places sell fabric!

Hancock's of Paducah, their sale area, Quilt in a Day, fabric frenzy, fabric.com to name a few.

I just got 8 quilts in from a man that his grandmother made and he wants me to do some work on them. They are all made of old scraps and clothing. Some are tied, 2 are actually reversible so I am tearing them apart to make 4 quilts, some have no batting. Some have double knit, single knit, fleece and everything in between. It is amazing how they look after I get them machine quilted, a new binding on them and then washed up. We can make due with what we have but I do love a bargain!

my comment on this is...I do tons of quilts for PROJECT LINUS, usually about 8-10 per month and there is NO WAY that I could afford to buy fabric from the quilting shops at 8-10 dollars a yard, to give away. I do the "feel it" test too, and I wash it, so if its gonna fade or shrink, it happens before I sew with it. So far, I havent had any of my quilts fall apart;O also try to check the on-line sources for sales and cleanance items, and I usually go for the 2-3 a yard items; If you can afford to spend more, good for you - go to it, but for most of us (on a budget), we have to find what works best - I also like Hancocks.com on line and Fabrics.com and watch for their sales all the time. Anyone got other web sites that are good to keep an eye on?

I buy the best I can afford. I shop at Hancocks Fabrics and have found some wonderful fabrics there that feel wonderful and have been washed a number of times and hold up well. I shop my LQS and have found some wonderful buys there. I buy what I like and what I can afford.

What happened to me is the polyester batting fell apart before I completed quilting. But that was because it was not a good batting. Polyester can be used. Quilters Dream is a lovely polyester bat to work with. I often use a cotton poly blend as well. And for tied quilts I have used polyester high loft batting. I did not mean to imply polyester shouldn't be used. Sorry for misleading.

I'm not sure where I read it, but someone posted a blurb about JoAnn's and Hancock's fabrics being imported from India and Indonesia and they are ALWAYS fumigated before entry to the US, Therefore, if you use them for baby quilts, be sure to wash the quilt before you give it to the new Mom.

I have read that nearly all of the fabric in Shops come from overseas. So washing should probably be done anyway. About the cost...Buy what you can afford. Wherever you do shop, feel of the fabric, hold it up & check to see if you can see a lot of light through it. You do not want to be able to read through it. I have spent $12.98 a yd recently at a LQS & the darned fabric was awful to bleed. Had to treat it multiple times! Some I have bought @ JoAnns was not bad to bleed at all. Both had lots of dk. red in it. Our WalMart no longer has fabric but when they were discounting it out @ $2 a yd, I found very nice fabric and snatched up quite a lot. Been very happy. Used some in a quilt & took the quilt into my LQS to get a backing & she took me that very line of fabric and we found a perfect print for the backing. I am sure it was seconds or WalMart would not have had it, but there was really nothing wrong with it that I found. My $2 a yd fabric has held up as well as the $10.97 a yd from the same line through many washings. But just buy the best that you can afford. And look it over and really feel of it. Some feels so much nicer than others.

QIAD does have some nice fabric in their Fabric Frenzy section @ $5 a yd & some even cheaper. Other online Shops have Sales as well. Of course you have shipping to figure in unless you spend a certain amount.

i shop at connecting threads online the sale fabrics is the best i've found here is the linkhttp://www.connectingthreads.com/fab...__L600206.html
since wal-mart is low quality and closing the fabric departments Jo Ann is over pricing their fabric i won't go back there, connecting threads is really nice

mema

check out connecting threads online

i loved reading everyone's responses here. I have sewn for, oh my goodness, years and years... mostly clothes until the last five or six years... when quilting sort of took over my life (!).
I'm not sure I understand the contradicting concept of buying less expensive (lower quality often) fabric for the quilts that DO need to last alot longer - i.e. our kids to play with... to me it seems more logical to buy better fabric because it will last longer - or so it seems is the reason we buy the better fabric to begin with. I bought fabric at a non-LQS for both sons' quilts. One is not falling apart - the other is doing well. Equal use/equal wear and tear. When I make the one over again :) I will use better quality fabric, even though he is only 13 and will probably drag it to more camping trips over the next few years. I agree with the idea of spending only what we can afford. I do know that often one can find much better quality fabric for the same price as the non-LQS stores - just have to be patient and watch closely.
I did learn something new - - I was not aware that fabric made overseas was fumigated!!! I am a strong believer, anyways, of buying American and love Connecting Threads for that reason. I try to buy American made supplies,etc. along with fabric as much as I can. Thankful moreso now that I know about the fumigation from other countries.
Not trying to be a fabric police or look down my nose here at all - - - I just like the concept of buying American made... can't always do it, but do really like to when I can.

What are the names of fabric companies here in the United States. I would certainly prefer to buy U.S. also.

I may be breaking every cardinal rule in quilting, but before I do my sashing, border and backing I wash the fabric. When I make the blocks on my quilts, I don't! I use pieces of this and that and I have mostly fat quarters and traded pieces. When I get the quilt all done and ready to go, I throw it in the washer. In the summer it hangs outside on the line to dry. In the winter, I put it in the dryer. Never have had a problem. Probably the luck of an idiot! Just thought I would mention it! Edie

Thanks feline fanatic for the comment about polyester batting. I have so much to learn. I appreciate you taking time for education. I checked and I currently am using polyester. I think it will be ok because I am recycling my son's disgarded army uniforms, not some heirloom. I just want to give something to his two children for fun.

This discussion sure comes up a lot. Without intending any offense,I use a LOT of Walmart fabric. Fortunately ours has some decent quality .Others I have visited have lesser quality. All are not the same,and some of their fabrics are THE SAME as LQS. They buy in quantity so they can sell cheaper.I am on a fixed income and LQS fabric is not an option for me,,actually,I am thankful to have Walmart still available.Some of us can't afford to be fabric snobs and it hurts sometimes to be made to feel your work is inferior because you used a fabric some would shun.I use what I can afford,and my projects are a labor of love.It's funny how our grandmothers made quilts from feed sacks,and now people pay LQS prices for reproductions of them!!!The feed sack era ladies would have gone nuts over Walmart fabrics!!! It's all relative....you do what you have to do to fit your lifestyle and budget...

I shop everywhere- Hancock's, Hobby Lobby, Walmart, my LQS, and online. The "feel" test is the most important, IMO. Online is a little tougher. I understand that online is cheaper than my LQS because they don't have the expense of a store, etc etc, so I try to patronize my LQS as much as possible, but money is tight so that doesn't always happen. And of course the selection online is much wider. I just bought some Moda's "Nature's Notebook" online from OldCountryFabrics.com for $7.40 a yard- my LQS doesn't even carry that line.

Maybe there should be a FAQ about this- along with pre-washing fabric, pressing seams open or to the side.....I haven't been quilting for long but I sure do know the hot topics!!

I buy from Walmart for backings. Saves alot of money and it dosnt matter that it is not top quality.
Some of thier fabrics are pretty good and are the same as quilt shops. I have seen the exact fabrics in shops and could not see any difference.
Now some of thier fabrics are just awful so you do need to be careful.

I am new to quilting but my mom has been doing it forever. She said the same thing you were told. She says that she can find fabric in the quilting stores for about what Joann's is charging for theirs. My rule of thumb - I bought from the quilting store for the quilt that I wanted to last forever (not saying that I couldn't have done it with Joann's just used mom's rule of thumb) and I have used the Joann's or Walmart for baby quilts I have made for friends, and will use them for the quilts for my teens as they have great sales. But I think I will listen to others that have commented and do the feel test. Just my thoughts

When I first started quilting, I would buy any fabric that I liked as far as the print, be it WalMart, JoAnn or LQS. BUT, when I really got into quilting big time, I sold all my cheaper (which you can definitely tell the difference) fabrics on eBay and only stick with the good quality fabrics. There are sooo many quilt shops online and auction places that you can get excellent quilt fabrics for $3-to $9 per yard. Look for sales, just because the fabric is last year's collection, doesn't mean it is no good. I very seldom buy fabrics at $6 yd or more. Too much competition out there, you can find a great bargain! Many Free Shipping offers, too. I used to work at JoAnn's and their prices have really gone up. They are so-s0, but I think I will stick with the good stuff.

Wow, if I didn't buy from Wallmart , I wouldn't be able to make as many projects. I also have a few favorite online sites that I buy from too. I've been a bit dissapointed in Joanne's lately, but I use the coupons for notions and buy my warm and natural there when it's on sale.

dont worry about it. there is no RIGHT way to quilt!
my mother and I used to ONLY recover existing blankets with new tops and backing, then she recieved whole bagfulls of sewing factory coat fabric remenants!!! so we made quilts with that! MOST of my first quilts where made with sleeping bag liner fabric as backing! we also used sheets as backing.... come to find out its a BIG no no in the quilting world... but ask me if I care?
all of these quilts are still going strong, and they where soooooo fun to make!
Advice for beginers is... match your products to your skill level! expensive fabric does not magically line up the seams for you :) buy something cheaper to start and work your way up as you get better
my two cents ;)

I am often buying and using, for the backing, good used sheets from the thrift stores......I look very closely at the sheets, to be sure they are not faded, not stained, no holes, etc.......and often, I find sheets that are in very good shape, and they make pretty backings. I dont do hand quilting, but for the machine, they work just fine. Most of the stores sell them for around $2.00 regardless of the size (twin, king, whatever, same price) so that is a LOT of fabric for the price, and usually its good fabric, and good colors and etc. Just thought I would mention this, for those of us who are on tight budgets and MUST have the fabrics to keep on quilting !

Great discussion! The feel test is the key. I was told years ago that "anybody can get fabric printed as long as the run meets the factory's minimum." Seems like the minimum was 2000 yards. The "gray goods," the quality of the fabric that is printed on is where we get into Walmart/JoAnns vs LQS quality fabrics. While in Sacramento in the late 90's Beverly's had zillions of Thimbleberries prints on flannel. The print was on the wrong side of the flannel (less fluffy side) and these were prints that were never released by Thimbleberries in flannel. I buy what I like, fabrics that pass the feel test and give the impression they will hold up. If I am making an "heirloom" I test any suspicious fabric a number of ways: Rub it while both wet and dry with a white cloth to see if color comes off; place a swatch in the car window to see if it fades; press a measured swatch to see if it shrinks unreasonably; wash and dry a measured swatch to see if it shrinks unreasonably and rub it against itself to see if it pills or sheds. The majority of my quilting is for charity and we receive generous donations of all kinds. Where possible we try to honor the gift by using it, if it doesn't pass our muster we try to donate it on where it can be used for crafts instead.

this is my first reply,I was under the impression jo anns fabric was very good?I am blessed to have an affordable fabrics where I live and pay only 1.99 a yard,the only draw back is I never have enough cash,they have soooo much.

In MY opinion... Joann is great for MOST things it is perfect! works great! if your quilting for fun use walmart/joann fabric its worth it :)
if your quilting for show or to last a lifetime DONT! instead buy the best you can get.

again my two cents

The "Nose Looker-Downers" sound like ladies who took lessons at LQS to learn to quilt. I'm equally addicted to quilting books and fabric.

I buy most of my material at Wal mart & have been VERY VERY satisfied with it, my quilts are used every day & in the wash a lot no fading nor fraying. They do carry some flimsy material but if you check it out by feel & look close at it, you can get some real bargains. I even buy the $1.50 a yard fabric & have been happy with that, also made a quilt with that & it is just as bright as when I made it 2 years ago & that is one of the quilts thats in the wash alot, so don't knock it til you try it especially in this economy. just feel it, & look at it carefully. I think you'll find alot you will like & want to use.

Long story short, took my first quilting class, spent over $150 on lqs fabric...spent money for the lessons...what did I end up with?? Nothing completed. It was a terrible instructor, who was ONLY interested in selling the fabric, which I bought..and not about teaching a beginner. Iwas a beginner, and it was suppose to be a beginners class, and yet only 2 of us were beginners. I went to 3 lessons, and left the last time with the intention of NEVER setting foot in a lqs again. I didn't for a very very long time. They were so intimidating to the two of us newbies, I wonder what even happened to the other gal. I THEN start quilting when my new neighbor moved in..and she was so wonderful a teacher, and taught me about fabric, quilting and quality. I have NEVER finished the $150 quilt, although it is in a box, still waiting for me after 10 years, and maybe someday I will dig out the fabric and do something with it...BUT..I have purchased fabric from Walmart..in fact, $1 a yard fabric. I made 2 Trip Around the World quilts for my first attempt at a large quilt, and they BOTH get repeated washings, and I love love love them. One on my guest bed, the other on MY bed. Yes, quality means a lot to me, and the finished project has to be pleasurable to YOU and you only..even if you are giving it away. I have since, purchased a ton of fabric, and I buy what is 'good' quality fabric for the project I am doing. Yes, I have since spent $150 on a quilt kit, and frankly, my $1 a yard fabric is as beautiful as the expensive. The moral of that story is...LOVE what you do with what you have, and it will give you the pleasure you so desire. And Yes, my nose is just for that....smelling! I love the debate..that's why there are so many different quilts..just like us quilters and opinions. The love is in the heart of the quilter.

Wow, We have discussed a lot of opinions on fabrics. The batting is another story. It really depends on what type of quilt you are making. If you want the "old fashioned wrinkled" look, use cotton (I use warm & natural). When you wash the quilt it will show some wrinkles. If you don't want that look, the polyester works great. If you are hand quilting and working with it for a while, it does tend to separate (that is why I don't like it) I hand pieced a flannel quilt and then hand quilted it with warm and natural and it is so heavy, polyester would have been better. I learn something every time I make a quilt.

i can't believe all the wonderful advice on this topic. thanks to everyone i took the 2 baby quilts i did--one with appliqué hearts and one with embroider hearts and 'donated' them to the rv park where we are staying. they have a 'park project' where they make quilts for the local fire department and other organizations in town. those quilts are made with all kinds of fabric and backing and filling. never a complaint yet. the interesting thing is my two quilts are going to be raffled to raise funds for their project. i could not believe it. here i thought they should go in the trash bag.
thanks to all of you for making me see that, there is no right or wrong to quilting, buy what you can afford and enjoy, enjoy.
next topic?

I NEVER EVER BUY FABRIC FROM WAL-MART OR JOANN'S. FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS, THE QUALITY IS NOT GOOD IN EITHER PLACE. I LOVE GOOD QUALITY FABRIC AND THE SECOND REASON WE NEED TO KEEP OUR SMALL/LARGE PRIVATELY OWNED SHOPS IN BUSINESS. THAT IS WHERE YOU HAVE THE TALENTED TEACHERS, CONCERNED OWNERS AND THE PERSONAL SERVICE WE HAVE ALL COMNE TO LOVE.

I have not bought anyfabric from joannes too far away(bought by Walmart last year. :) I usually buy from my local quilt shop.
If I buy from Hancocks ., the fabric is crummy
kCarol Gross(ceegeeOr Helen) I never remember which name I put down.

I buy at both Joann's and Walmart but i am very carful what I get...I feel alot...pull on it...see how much if any it frays....if it looks like gauge then I tend to stay clear of it but what I have got from both places i have been very satisfied and has made some beautiful quilts. You just have to use your sense of feel and sight alot.

Donna

One thing I have noticed about the difference between quilt shop and Joanns is the colors are very different.
I have taken pieces to match that I bought from a shop and tried to match at Joanns. Joanns colors are not as rich, they are very different and just do not match up.

A Thousand Bolts has some great deals. I got 35 yards of fabric at their year end sale for $130. All top quality. I don't think I paid over $3.50 a yard.

I usually shop JoAnns for everyday use type quilts. I shop the lqs when I want to make "heirloom" type quilt. btw my favorite lqs is a 3 hour drive from home. there are several in my home town but The Quilt Patch will always have my heart.

Quite by accident, I found Sew Spider.com. She has good prices, her matieral is top quality, and she is very Service- Minded.