Try Threadart. They have a good selection of embroidery thread. Don't know if their grab bag special is still running but they had 20 spools of rayon or polyester thread for $19.99.

threadart.com

Welcome from Natchez, Ms.

If the LQS is giving you a list of supplies, be careful and ask here before you buy. I have a friend on a fixed income that wanted to learn to quilt. She signed up for a class and was given a list. The list totaled over $300. She didn't go to the class because she could not afford the supplies. I told her for her first quilt to get out her scissors, thread and needle and a measuring device and go for it. I also told her to do a simple block or strip pattern first. Later she purchased some of the supplies but a less expensive brand.
Remember our grandmothers did not have a LQS, they used what they had, feed/flour sacks, material left over from making garments, old clothes, etc. I have some 70+ year old quilts that are fine.

i order online for fabrics. the connecting thread.com fat quarter.com. i have found that i like them both. i have also ordered from joann's but the symphony brand is a little thin.

I get my emb. thread at marathonusa.com and last time I ordered it was $1.75 for mini king in polyester. Never have had any problems with it.

For crying out loud! JoAnn has some lovely fabrics, some by the same designers you'll find in quilt shops. You will find fabrics you want to use in many different places. Look at all the people on this board who find tons of fabrics at estate/garage sales and don't have a clue where they originated and really don't care!

Quilt shops have some lovely fabrics, but they also have some junk. Price doesn't determine which is which wherever you buy it. Some of the loveliest fabric I ever bought came from Wal Mart for $2.87 a yard. The quilt I made from it won a prize. froggyintexas

A big hi from Eastern Arizona. I have purchased fabric from Joanne's and have had no problem, I also bought from Walmart too. The fabric was more in my price range. You will soon be addicted. I love crafts, but, I've been hooked on quilt making for about 4 years according to DH

all fabrics are not equal no matter where you buy them just feel them and decide for yourself.

I buy some of my material on-line. So far I am really pleased with it. They have a very good selection, and the prices are very good. Marshall drygoods.

There is a learning curve in determining what is "good/suitable" fabric for quilting.

Price and/or source (LQS, chain store, etc) are not the only factors.

Welcome from El Paso Tx! If you are new to quilting, I would buy fabric where ever you are most comfortable. We all use coupons at Joann's. Sign up for the mailer. The cost of fabric has gone up coniderably. I buy a lot of material online.

Buy whatever you like from whereever you like and enjoy sewing your fabrics together. The rules do not apply because they are not really any rules. My son told me patterns are mearly a guideline! I love that!

Hello and welcome- I buy alot online, from 5bucksayard.com, and quiltfabriccloseouts.com

I would be sure it is cotton and not poly/cotton. For my first quilt, I did buy Wal-Mart fabric, because if it did not turn out good it was no big loss. I am still not into buying the very expensive fabric when it comes to a mystery quilt. I have found that most of the time I am not happy enough with the results that I wished I had bought the really good fabric. If you are making one for a special occasion or person yes, get the best you can afford. But for my first try no. What if you find you do not like to quilt? God forbid this should happen, but it does. If the place you are taking your class from is a quilt shop they may offer a discount if you buy your supplies from them. Anyway, please have fun. Let us know how it goes.

I don't think it matters where you buy the fabric. The fabric in Walmart is also good, but i porbably wouldn't make a show qyuilt out of it. The fabric from Walmart, JoAnn's Hancock is fine for quilts that get used and abused.

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!!!

I buy what I like...just make sure the fabric isn't gauzy-like or thin....Joann's, Hobby Lobby, and yes even Ebay and other on-line fabric stores offer alot of nice inexpensive material...

If you are taking the class at a LQS, they probably expect you to buy at least some of the fabric from them as that gives them some compensation for offering the classes. I expect the instructor gets the bigger portion of the fee they charge for the class. The "one" class I took was like that. When they gave you the list of needed fabrics, they 'suggested' that you purchase from their stock. If you are taking a class somewhere else, buy whatever you like.

There is no guru of the correct fabric. Stick to woven cotton, otherwise it's what you feel good working with as you learn.

I buy my fabric everywhere. I just look at it well, and make sure it isnt see through and thin.

JoAnn's has thread on sale quite often and that's when I buy it. You can buy your fabric anyplace you like and since you already know about sewing you can tell by the feel what quality it is. Don't let heavy sizing fool you and if you buy on line some stores price it by the half yard. You will have a great time!

I buy almost all of my fabric online and have had very good results. I use Jo Ann's at times and it has been pretty good most of the time. Do buy 100 percent cotton and you will be happier with the results. Enjoy your new endeaver and take a class, it will give you so much advice and FUN.

I checked out the fabric at the Joann's in our area and I thought it was really thin. I went all around the whole store and touched a little of everything. I would hold it up to the light and see if you can see through it. If you get some good quality fabric at your local quilt shop (LQS) you will see the differences between fabrics. Some of that thin stuff just is not going to hold up in a quilt... OK, I will get down off of my soap box now.

I buy quite a bit of fabric online and some thread. My favorite online shops are:
www.connectingthreads.com (fabric, kits and thread)

www.fabric.com (fabric and sewing/quilting notions as they have good sales.

www.keepsakequilting.com (expensive, but they have good sales and a wonderful selections)

www.hancocks-paducah.com (wonderful selection of fabrics, expensive, but sometimes have good sales.

www.joann.com (good sales/ and good coupons for full priced items.

Thanks, I am definetely going to watch that.

Well, my message didn't go thru. I have used Walmart fabric with no trouble. Online I use Keepsake Quilting, Fabric.Com or Connecting Threads. The thread I have used for years is from Threadart.Com.
Good Luck and have fun. This board will help you so much. Its like a teaching manuel.

I have bought fabric all over the place, Walmart, Joanns, Hobby Lobby, local quilt shops, thrift stores, yard sales, ebay.....you name it. I have also purchased online from fabric.com, connecting threads, keepsake quilting, green fairy quilts, bugfabric.com, missouri star quilt company....the list goes on. I have found one book particularly helpful for me and that was Carol Doaks' "Your First quilting Book (or it should be)". It has been a great go-to resource book. I also think you will learn so much on this board. check out the great tutorials, and welcome from Arizona!

Hi there and welcome from Florida. I personally buy some of my fabrics at Joann's fabrics and don't have a problem. I will say you can get the coupons or 50% off sales there. Good luck with what ever you decide. Please keep us posted on your new designs. Happy Sewing. :):):)

Welcome from sunny Australia, and you have came to the right place everyone is awesome on this site...JUST ENJOY.
:thumbup: :D ;-)

for hand quilting, the soft, more expensive quilts are easier to quilt....but i can't afford them! with my 1st project, i would use a less expensive fabric --(Jo Ann's does have some nice ones, if you feel lthem to be sure they are soft and not the crafty stiff variety)
flannel is easy to work with and makes a good choice.--be sure its tightly woven and not the walmart 'cheesecloth' you sometimes find there on sale.

I took a beginning piecing class almost 3 years ago and have probably finished a quilt a month with teenage sports and a fuultime job. I like Joann's, like my Walmart and LOVE my LQS! Sign up for Joann's mail flyer and use their coupons to build your thread stash. Go to quilt shows on the last afternoon if you have any nearby and see what kind of bargains you can get. Yard sales and Craigslist can be great finds if you have the time and inclination.

Hello and welcome from Minnesota!
You can buy your material wherever you want. In fact, since it is your first quilt, you may want to buy some inexpensive fabric. Then you won't feel bad if you make any mistakes. Happy shopping! Happy quilting!

For a first quilt - buy fabric that is "decent" - so that it will be worth your time and effort.

"Decent" can be comparatively inexpensive.

I agree with those who posted you should buy the best you can afford. I do shop online primarily since the LQS around here are very expensive. I can usually find excellent quality quilting fabric for much less online. One of my favorite sites is www.quiltshops.com. On this site, you can find over 200 quilt shops listed. If you are searching for a particular fabric and can't find it, you can usually find it here.

My second favorite is www.stitch-n-frame.net. They have sales every Thursday which are posted on Wed. night through Friday morning.

My third favorite is Craft Town in Salem, IN. Craft Town's clearance prices are wonderful; especially around December. I bought 3 different sets of Moda Charm Packs for around $5 apiece in December.

The fourth would be www.whittles.com; located in Bowling Green, KY, about 55 miles from me. If you are close enough to go to the shop, the cost per yard is about $1 a yard less.

Number five: www.quiltsrjewels.com; located about 15 miles from me. Great prices.

Good Luck!!

I also watch for sales at Hancock's and JoAnn's for 50% off on thread, quilting tools and notions. If you're a cautious shopper, you can save money and still have the best.

You can get good material at JoAnns, just watch for Moda or other good brands. I also love to order fabric on line and have not gotten any bad fabric. Stay with 100 % cotton

Welcome! You'll likely find quilting a wonderful fun hobby in retirement - I sure did! I frequently buy fabric online at www.thousandsofbolts.com, and have been pleased. I started out making purses, to get some practice. Most of my embroidery thread is Madeira 40 weight rayon, and they have a website that will sell you spools at much lower prices than in stores. Go to Madeiramart.com, and an 1100 yard thread spool is very affordable. Have fun!

Bobbie

I like www.fabric.com. I have been very happy with the fabrics from them. They also have half-yard assortments which is nice if you want a small amount of a lot of different fabrics. The best thing is the shipping is free for orders of $35 or more. Others ask you to spend $50 before you get free shipping.

I like www.fabric.com. I have been very happy with the fabrics from them. They also have half-yard assortments which is nice if you want a small amount of a lot of different fabrics. The best thing is the shipping is free for orders of $35 or more. Others ask you to spend $50 before you get free shipping.

The first thing I would suggest is to go to your LQS and feel the fabric they have & then Joann's and feel the $3.99/ 4.99 and compare them. You will understand then what the difference is. You can buy better quality fabric at Joann's but it is the same price as the quilt shops.
If you want to buy good quality fabric then shop at the quilt shop where you can go to classes and and get help picking fabrics etc. Where did you buy your machine ? If it was a LQS you can get classes for quilting and machine help as well. Everything you need in one place....