Walmart fabrics win international prize
 

If you don't believe it. Read 1776 a quilting book. Soldiers during war made quilt from pieces of their uniforms. I woman made a reproduction of this quilt using walmart fabrics and won this very prestidious award. Keep telling walmart managers to bring back their fabric. We email CEO and told him if they have fabric we buy 20 dollars of fabric and 200 dollars of other items. No fabric, 200 dollars lost. I buy my main fabric at quilt store and everything else at walmart. My favorite store!

What award? Can you share a picture? Pictures Are worth a million bucks!!!!

The quilter, Pam Holland, needed a certain color to of fabric and that one fabric was found at Walmart.
http://www.brecklingpress.com/1776_info.htm

Thanks for the link

yes, thanks for the link. i was trying to find something and obviously used the wrong search words :)

So the quilt wasn't made entirely of Walmart fabrics?



My Walmart has fabrics. I've bought fleece and organza and some clear plastic stuff for wallets there. But their quilting fabric is over priced. My favorite thing is they have seam rippers in various colors. I like that!

Fabric is back in ours as well, should say that it never left but it was stacked on the floor. They have now put it back on shelves with a sales associate handy for help, but it still isn't what I would call "decent" fabric. Good in a pinch since any closer store is 50 miles away.

An interesting link about the quilts including a photo of the original:

http://pamhollanddesigns.typepad.com/pam_h/2011/07/an-emotional-journey-today.html

As for our Walmart's fabrics, I've occasionally bought seasonal fabric for my stash plus one tone on tone black that was perfect for the coal cars in matching train quilts. Like anything else, anywhere else, it pays to check the quality of what you are buying. :)

Goes to show that expensive fabrics aren't always needed to make beautiful quilts....

No, the fabric that she bought from Walmart was Onasburg. She called all the Walmarts she could to get what she needed. I was fortunate enough to take a class from her several years ago in Houston. She is an awesome teacher. I was amazed at what I did in her class. She also showed us the first panel of her next quilt.

Several years ago the WalMart near here did a remodel and the manager of the fabric section told all of her customers to write headquarters stating reasons WHY it was necessary for the store to keep fabric. Some weeks later I had a chance to speak with her again and she told me to tell people not to write any more letters, and also said she had seen the blueprints allowing for a cutting area for fabric! When the remodel was complete, there was indeed a fabric section, not as big as before, but there! Some of the first fabrics weren't all the greatest, but there has been more added gradually, and there is some nice-quality stuff there. I made a t-shirt quilt for a niece using a shade of red (couldn't find what I wanted in my LQS) and when I took it to my LA quilter, she complimented on the weight and feel of the fabric. So, yes, if I need to, I will buy WM fabric again. I do buy a lot of fleece there for tie blankets. They usually have a pretty good selection, especially around the holidays.

We live 20 mi in any direction from a town with more than a gro store dollar store bank post office feed store hardware store! So in one town only pre cuts at one wal mart and few of them. Go the opposite direction and they have a great fabric department size wise lots of bolts colors etc. You just have to be careful and selective.

Our Walmart brought back fabric too.Whoooo Hoooo.

Our Wal*Mart never closed their fabric department. They were going to but when they remodled the store they enlarged it.

Both our Wal-Marts have fabric. The older superstore discontinued their fabric but then brought it back....after many protests, I'm sure, and perhaps lost sales. The newer superstore (two years old) included a fabric section from the beginning. Both stores have nice fabrics, same quality and often same fabrics, as JoAnn's. The problem is they have no dedicated fabric salesperson and so it's always a mess. When I go there, sometimes it's all I can do not to try to bring order and tidy up the bolts!

But the prices and selection are good, so I continue to shop for fabric there.

My local Walmart brought the fabric back. I have gotten some really wonderful fabrics there. One is $2 a year, and has a vinegar smell to it. I bought some and wish I had gotten more. Yes, you do have to watch some, but so far I have been very happy!

ps Guess I lucked out, ours does have a dedicated sales person.!

I moved 6 weeks ago and was delighted that the local Walmart carries fabric but limited. Haven't found a local quilt store that is on the bus route. Some one had posted that they got Fat quarters & Pops on sale but no sale at my store. Thought it would make a cute quilt for a foster kids. Oh well, just have to keep checking. And yes, YOU DO HAVE TO examine the fabric closely. There are seconds in there and the other BIG chain store too !!!

I have found that no one store carries everything; ie. thread, fabrics, notions, machines, etc. If I want Civil War type fabrics, I would have to go to a specific LQS. If I want bright, cheery colors for children, I go to another shop. If I buy an Olfa, Fiskars, etc. notion, I go where I can get the best price. I think most quilters learn to have a touch, feel of good quality cotton fabrics. We can't be right all the time, however because the producers of fabrics are very wise and clever about makings their products. Almost all fabrics are made overseas. There are a few States that grow cotton but the recent droughts and floods have wiped out most of their crops. We have no textile mills anymore. All the mills started closing in the '60s and the equipment to make fabrics (looms, weavers, etc.) were sold to the overseas markets. We are a consumer/service driven society these days. However, I will still be buying fabrics and supplies where I find them and like the quality and prices of things, whether it be at the LQSs or big box stores...

Our Wally world has a pretty fair sized fabric center. Quality varies, but I have gotten some very nice stuff there. Only problem is that when they are short at the f ront of the store, the lady by the fabric gets pulled out. sigh. You have to call for someone to help.

I adore Walmart. Not sure why - a mile from home and on my way to work are reasons. It is among few which kept the fabric dept. our Joann's closed 2 stores and opened one big one farther away.hancock closed years ago. I don't quilt exclusively - toys, flowers,yo yos.baby items Etc. they do have a premium line which I like and sometimes the cheaper fabric is better for a given project. They have a decent selection of notions and supplies so I have to go 10 miles to buy interfacing, a zipper or buttons. Many brands are the same as Joann's. the best part is choice. If ya don't like WM ya don't have to shop there. Wounded warrior wife - please thank your husband for his service. Hes one reason we have any choices at all.

Walmart brought back fabric to Lubbock
 

There are at least 2 Walmarts in Lubbock, TX. The one we frequent has brought fabric back...a fairly nice amount and variety. Is there as much as at Joann Fabrics? No, but there is a nice assortment. I rarely buy fabric at Joann's (quality is about equal to Walmart where I shop). When I go to Walmart for fabric...they may/may not have what I need...but the thread, patterns, etc. are there. Quilting supplies are there...we have a great craft/sewing area at the 4th & Franklin Walmart in Lubbock.

Joann's where I go for batting & some other supplies (on sale/coupons) is very crowded (narrow isles, stuff in the wider isles, etc.). Guess I'm getting old, because this closed in feeling agitates me...I get what I came for and get out. At Walmart...I browse a lot more, kinda crazy...but for me it matters.

If you look at Joann's, fabrics are usually on sale, but still more than what they cost at Walmart...on sale, coupon is no good. I buy there when I have the extra % off coupons. I want to support Joann's, but it's hard for me.

Just found out we have a Hancock's in Lubbock...have to go and check them out...I've ordered online from them, but haven't been in a physical store in years.

We are a 70 to 80 mile round trip from any fabric or Walmart store...so, I really have to plan and make a shopping list of what I need....go by my list and get back to my shop.

Yesterday, a customer needed her daughter's jacket back...I don't have the seperating zipper I need. I had to ask the customer (works in Lubbock) to please pick up a zipper from Walmart or Joanns (she works at Walmart). I hate doing that. I probably won't charge to put the zipper in. Will even remove the stains and clean the jacket (white sweatshirt type jacket. May even add a bit of "bling" (embroidery).

Another thing...customer service...after over 30 years in customer service jobs...including 7-11; Fabricland and Joann (among others)...I feel customer service to be even more important that cost. Our Walmart fabric area ladies & fellah are the best!

I buy 95% of my fabric at Walmart & have wonderful success with the color & it holding up well with the everyday wear & tear since I use mine everyday & wash often no complaints only Kudos by the way our Walmart has 4 shelves & endcaps of fabric wonderful selection & prices. there are some fabrics not suitable for quilting, but I think we all can tell when we run into some of that, just a good feel or pull a thread, I like spending less for more.

I was just at our Walmart this morning and they are revamping the fabric department and they had gotten in some really great fabric at affordable prices. Went and got the DH just to show him the the difference in the quality of the fabric they did have and the NEW fabric. 100% cotton and good quality.

thread is being closed with negative posts removed