I was told by a quilting friend to stay away from Wal-Mart fabric and she was not pleased with Joann's either. What do you all use when you quilt? Is one manufacture better than another--Hoffman over VIP?

I usually hit Jo Anns or Hancocks for my fabrics. I try and use Wal marts meager sewing selection for emergencies. My husband and I went into a speciality quilting shop yesterday, they had fabrics I have never seen and would love to have had. Maybe I will spend some future (way in the future lottery winnings) in there.

I personally, never buy fabric at either WalMart or Joanne's. I only buy from the quilt shops or on line at the quilt shops. There is a lot of difference in the quality of the fabrics. Good quality is also alot easier to work with.

I am also cheap so I always check out the sale tables. There are a lot of great buys online. My favorites are Hancock's of Paducah and Quilt in a Day. Great buys and a huge selection at times.

I like all fabrics, I just look at it and feel it to see if it seems like it is not flimsy. A lot of the Wal-Mart and lower end fabric is pretty thin, so I bypass it if it doesn't pass that feel test.

I started out with quilt shop quality fabric, and I just can't seem to take that step backwards and use anything else. JoAnn's just isn't good enough (even though I wish I could let myself shop there), and Wal-Mart certainly doesn't live up to that standard. Our Wal-Marts don't have fabric, anyway.

You buy what you can afford.
I have never bought lqs fabric as it is over 9$ a yard. I only buy from walmart or joanne. They work fine for me.

Most people say that the quality for lqs is alot better. and one day I will try it. But right now while I am new to this I stick with the cheep stuff. I inspect all the fabric I am buying for the feel and weave of it. Like Walmart has some new 1.50 a yard but they are really see through and really really stiff. I could see that with one washing the fabirc was not going to look the same. So I skip it.

The other reason I shop at walmart and Joannes is that they are close to me. The lqs is a town away not to far only like 20 min and in the other direction that we never go.


So buy what you want. If you can afford the lqs I have heard that is the way to go. But if like most people now days and you have to watch your pennies dont let Walmart or Joanne fabric stop you from a wonderful hobby

When I first started quilting, there were a lot of things to buy, cutting mat, rotary cutter, rulers, markers etc. I thought to save money, why would I spend big bucks at the quilt store on fabric when I could go to Jo-Ann's and get it for a lot less. Well, that first irish chain quilt that I hand made, hand quilted and is still hanging on my bedroom wall is about three shades lighter blue, it has faded so much and it is not in direct sunlight. So, there is a big difference in the quality of the fabric. You live and learn.

I totally agree with AbbyQuilts. I can't afford to shop at LQS all the time, especially if I want to make anything of any size. I use the best I can afford and like and take it from there. I feel everything and it needs to feel nice and not be so thin I can see through it. I buy it where I can get it at the best price I can find!

Most lqs have sale tables or shelves, selling for almost the same price at JoAnn's. NO I do not shop for fabric at JoAnn's; I did look at some Christmas fabric there in Dec. and at $9.95 (JoAnn's price), I will spend my $10 a yard at the lqs. I always check the sale fabric at the lqs for borders and backing. Sometimes the backing is not exactly what I would like, but at 50% savings it works.

To spend the time and effort on a quilt I want a better quality that will hold up for a long time, and I don't feel JoAnn's inferior quality will. JMHO

There isn't a reason to not use quality fabric. There are too many online shops that have sales and clearances that will beat Walmart or Joann's fabric prices. Stock up on the basic neutrals and blenders and your favorite color. Always buy backing fabric when there is great sale. I'll buy muslin and fusibles at Joann's with a coupon but seldom buy fabric there. I don't mind buying a couple yards of $9 a yard fabric when I know I have the basic colors to go with it in my stash bought for a few dollars.