hello everyone! I have recently retired and want to make a quilt. I just purchased a baby lock esante. I have a little sewing experience but have never attemted to make a quilt. I am going to take a class for this. I was told you don't want to go to joann fabrics to buy material to make a quilt. Was told a place to go buy material and it is a better quality. I know a lot of time goes in to a quilt. What do you all think about material and what brands should i buy. Thanks and I will probably be on here a lot trying to learn. It took me about 2 hours to learn how to thread the machine. I had to keep reading the book. Oh well, finally got it threaded. lol

Welcome!!! I would go to your local quilt shop for fabric and thread etc. I think you made a wise decision to take a class.
I learned a ton in my first class and totally fell in love with quilting!!
Good luck! There's so much great info here. :D:D

Welcome from Washington. :D

You will have so much fun learning to quilt. Please buy your quilting fabric where you want too. I have made many quilts with walmart fabric and they are still going strong. Trust me they get abused. LOL!!

Oops!! Impatient finger.

Welcome from Illinois.

Does anyone order their material online? Do you have a good website I could look at? Also I was going to purchase embroidery thread and that is 3.25 a spool. Its been a long time since I have bought thread and this seems outrageous. Is there a good place to order embroidery thread online.

I'm sorry I don't buy online but I know that some like connectingthreads.com for their threads and yes it can be very expensive.

Welcome to the fun (& sometimes frustrating :) ) world of quilting.
You can buy fabric wherever it makes you happy. WalMart, JoAnn's, or your LQS. It all works, so do whatever is right for you & your budget :)
My favorite online fabric store is Thousands of Bolts.
http://www.thousandsofbolts.com/
No idea where to buy thread online; I just usually purchase at JoAnn's & yes it's a tad pricey.

I agree u can buy fabrics in many places! Have fun! Show us what u make so we can aaahhh over them! Welcome from Michigan! Ive only been quilting for a couple yrS! Well learn together!!

Hello Nannie,
Buy your fabric wherever you see what you like and, feel you can afford. JoAnn's fabric is just fine. By the time our quilts we are making today wear out we won't be around to care. If it wears out it means is was used a lot, aka well liked.

Hello Nannie,
Buy your fabric wherever you see what you like and, feel you can afford. JoAnn's fabric is just fine. By the time our quilts we are making today wear out we won't be around to care. If it wears out it means is was used a lot, aka well liked.

You have made a great decision to take a quilt class! When you sign up for the class they will probably give you a list of items to get before the class starts, & the list should include what kinds, weights, or types of fabrics they recommend for your class, as well as how much the suggest you get to finish the project. Just do a little research to make sure you sign up for a BEGINNERS class! Have fun & post what you get to make!

Hi Nannie, welcome to the board.

The soundest advice you will ever get on what kind of fabric should I buy... Buy the best you can afford.

I have found this to be a very good source for quilt shop quality fabric at very reasonable prices.

http://www.quiltingcotton.com/cgi-bi..._bargains.html

I do not like JoAnnes Keepsake calico fabric. But they do have some nice cottons in other lines, such as South Sea Imports but they are no cheaper then a local quilt shop and the quilt shop will give you much better service and assistance.

Welcome to the show! This can be 24/7 of learning, fun and entertainment spent with one of the finest groups of quilters out there. If you have a question, it will get answered. Several times!

I am curious why anyone would tell you not to shop at Joann's. It sounds like a disgruntled employee or unsatisfied customer. That happens everywhere, at any store. So, while shopping at a LQS might be most peoples preference, Joann's and others are practical and economical alternatives. You can almost feel the anguish when you read "my Joann's is closing", or feel the joy when someone writes "Walmart is bringing back fabrics!"

Don't be surprised if you find yourself reading these boards more often than you spend sewing. If they're is a glitch somewhere and you can not get in, withdrawals will overtake rationality and sensibility and your sanity. :-)
I say that with a smile though.

Welcome to the greatest show on earth. Quilt show, that is. I live in Oregon and have been quilting seriously for the last 20 years. I still consider myself an undergraduate. Not a day goes by that I don't learn something new. (It is most helpful to take a look at the "Tips Page". If you follow the link, you will have a world of valuable information at your fingertips. Also read the Acronyms so you don't think we all are nuts when we talk about our UFO's, WIP's, TOADs or PIGS. It will all make sense sooner or later.

A big welcome from East Texas. I know you are going to love quilting.

Thank everyone that has answered my question. They had also told me not to buy walmart material also. They said it is too cheap. I think I would rather buy it there, if i find what i want, the prices are a little cheaper and i don't want to invest a whole lot on my First quilt. I want to make a quilt, purse and so many other things that i am getting myself confused on what I want to do first. I better take the class and get started on something. I seen the bow tuck purse a lady made and it was beautiful. I want that also. So much to think about.

welcome! i shop @ joann's made mant quilts from thwere fabric

Hello, welcome...lots of advice, so I won't contribute too much more. Besides I live in Australia, so have no clue about where/how much you should be paying. I can understand you not wanting to spend the earth on your first quilt, but whatever fabric you decide on...make sure you like it. Quilts have a way of lasting for years...so pick a design and colour that appeals to you, go to class and then hop back here and show us pics (we love pics) and sing out if you need help. This is a great place to learn, make friends and quilt to your hearts content.

many people purchase their fabrics from Joannes and Walmart- they still make nice quilts!
visit a few local quilt shops if you have any around you- compare fabrics and buy what you like. if you don't like the fabric you will not enjoy working with it.
joannes and walmart both (at times) have some nice fabrics- others not so much-
to start buy 100% cottons- you will find them easiest to work with while learning.

Advise...for your first quilt don't spend allot per yd on fabric at a QS...go to Joann's. It's your first and if you screw up and spent allot of money...you'll kick yourself.
I never put allot of money into fabric when learning a new technique...because I know abt screw ups in cutting, in piecing etc...
They probably get a break at the local QS for suggesting buy there...sending new customers to them.
Good luck have fun but don't spend allot on supplies.

I buy a lot from Connecting Threads and recently have made substantial orders from Missouri Star Quilt Company. Totally happy with my purchases :)

I have bought material from Fabric.com and Hancocks of Puducah and have had no problems.

Hi,I agree with everybody that says to shop where ever.The main thing is to feel and scrunch the fabric so you can get a idea of how thick or thin it is.Try to stay with 100% cotton.And do go to you-tube and watch Sharon Schambers videos on how to make quilts.She has the MOST valuble tips you will ever need and short cuts,and how to glue match your seams,as well as why you NEED to starch.She'll show you how to bind,miter,all the easy way with perfect seams.And don't forget the feel and scrunch the fabric.Any questions,ask here,there's so many talented quilters here on this board that will help you out.And yes,JoAnns,Walmart have great fabric too.Just don't get thin ones.Feel and scrunch for thickness.Good luck.

get good quality thread even if it is expensive. Buy at JoAnn's when they have 50% sale. Also check the thrift stores. Sometime you can get good thread there very inexpensive. If it is still strong it will be ok

Just a suggestion: If you plan to shop at JoAnn's, sign up for their mailings. They always have at least one coupon in their circulars for 40% off, and they have some good sales. I'm going to buy thread today while it's 40% off. Have fun quilting -I dabbled for a while, then became addicted after my first class :)

Welcome from "Down Under" Australia.

These beautifull dogs on your Avatar what breed are they?

These beautifull dogs on your Avatar what breed are they?

WELCOME from Maryland
I have been quilting more than 40 years. My first quilts were made from leftover scraps from garments. When I started no one I knew was quilting. Over the years I have learned a lot but I still make quilts out of whatever suits me at the time. In the beginning you will make mistakes and if money is an issue it will hurt less if you don't have a fortune tied up in designer fabric. I am currently in production of Linus quilts. They are made mostly of cotton flannel and children's cotton prints. I admit I shop mostly at Joanns or Walmart for the fabric. If I can get it on clearance all the better. I know from experience with my own grandchildren that they don't care how much you paid just that they like it and you made it for them. I also know that non quilters rarely know how to care for a quilt so it will eventually be washed and or loved to death.
My friends tease me because I spend as much time feeling fabric as I do choosing. I am a handquilter and I don't plan on spending that kind of time touching something that doesn't feel good.

Sometimes I buy fabric at Joann's if it is what I truly want. The same goes for Walmart. But for a first quilt I would just buy what I thought would be FUN. You will probably end up loving quilting and then you will want the very best fabric you can find. Cause trust me, quilting it additive! ! ! ! ! !

I agree with the advice of buying what you can afford most of the time. However, if you are taking the class at a LQS, I would consider buying the fabric from them out of courtesy. You could definately save money on other supplies at Joanns, Hancock, Hobby Lobby, etc. This is just my opinion and I'm not calling anyone discourteous.

Welcome, this place is the best for learning. Enjoy your retirement and quilting!

I like the following:
www.overrainbow.com
www.connectingthreads.com
www.bighornquilts.com
www.wishuponaquilt.com
www.batiksetc.com

The only thing you need to know about fabric: 100% cotton. Otherwise, buy what you like, and what you can afford.

For thread, I like:

Http://www.connectingthreads.com
Http://www.threadart.com

I've bought fantastic fabric from Hancock's of Paducah online and www.aaaquilterssupply.com Both usually have a "buy at least XXX dollars worth" and the shipping is free. In my opinion their fabric is top quality, they usually cut a few inches more than I ordered on each piece, and they both ship promptly. But I've bought successfully online for many years. You just be careful with your credit card and personal information. Oh yes, there are incredible speciality blocks at www.oldeamericaantiques.com not cheap but will make a special quilt, really special.

I have bought fabric at www.fabric.com and www.stitch-n-frame.net (they have good sales!). For thread, you might check out www.metroemb.com. I use it on my longarm quilting machine and love it. They have great prices. I'm not affiliated in any way with any of these places, but I'm a really happy customer!

Welcome to the world of quilting. I agree with "buy what and where you can afford". There is nothing wrong with Joann fabrics. There are some people who resent big box stores like Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Joann's, Hobby Lobby, etc. Ignore them. Yes, I like to buy from a local small business if I can, but the next best thing is to think about the local people the big box stores employ. Fabric is fabric and you find a variety of qualities in every fabric store - even your local quilt shop. Enjoy your class.

welcome from se TX