I don't know the difference. How do you judge fabric quality?

The thing I notice first which usually seperates it from the good or the bad is the feel of the fabric. Cheaper, lower quality fabrics (cotton) tend to come from the manufacturer stiffer than others (you should be able to tell). It's not a death sentence if you end up with this type of fabric in your stash, but I try to steer clear of it if I can.

Nice weight and thickly woven is the best. Loosely woven and flimsy is not so good. The colors on better fabric goes all the way through and does not just set on top.

You can tell by the "feel" of the fabric. Just like bed sheets, the better quality is less stiff, wrinkles less, etc. Like everything else, you get what you pay for, but the better quality does go on sale.

I try and stay away from very sheer fabric, the kind you can see light through. Also, looser weaves.

If you can pick it up and see through it - it's cheap!

Also, when you wash it, color fades a lot.

And like the others said - good fabric feels better.

In addition to what others have mentioned, I look at the quality of the print. Often cheaper fabrics have "muddier" prints and/or colors. If you take some time to closely observe fabrics at Walmart and then fabrics at a LQS, you may start to notice the difference. I think this is easiest to see in floral fabrics (especially small florals).

Where do you live? Can you visit a quilt store near you and 'fondle' fabric for a while? Then go to a Walmart or Joannes and feel some of their 'home brand' of fabric; you'll catch on quickly enough!

Jan in VA

Edited: Let it be noted that I DO buy fabric at Joannes, too. BUT, I have been doing this long enough to tell quickly by feel whether I want a particular fabric in my collection. I find many more of those I do not want at Joanne's, Walmart, Hancocks (chain-not Paducah), Ben Franklin, etc., than I do at quilt shops.

Everyone is right, you will get to where you can just tell.

Everyone has all the ideas and they are good. I can tell now by feel.