Why is there a line of stitching in my new fabric?
 

I purchased a quilt kit from a major online retailer.

One of the pieces of batik fabric had what looked like a ripped out seam at the edge. There was broken thread and a line of needle holes in the fabric. What is the explanation for this? Was this piece of fabric previously used or does this happen at the end of the bolt?

I've never seen this before and would like to understand.

Elise

I've seen this at the end of the bolt before....

When rolls of fabrics are inspected, they go through a machine with rollers.
So they serge the fabric together to put it through the inspection machine.
It just saves time. They can expect a whole cart at a time and keep going.

I have bought yardage where the clerk unwinds the fabric and finds a spot where two lengths have been stitched together from the factory. They will either tear or cut this sewn end. Some times it might end up on the edge of the piece you buy.

I agree with "ube quilting" that I have purchased fabric sometimes with 2 lengths of fabric have been serged together. If I am only going to cut it up into small pieces then I will purchase the yardage I need but if I am wanting a full amount for backing as such then I will have the clerk cut off the pieced fabric and cut a whole length without the serged area.

Thanks for your replies. I feel better now.

Take a photo and send it to the vendor and as for an explanation.

It is from the manufacturing process. But, the company making the quilt should have a bit better quality control and been aware of this defect.

I have never seen this, if I had received that fabric, I would call the
place I bought it from!

I just opened a whole shipment of brand new Hoffman batiks, and they all had it on them. It's normal.