Wildernessties

I have some fabric I purchased from Spoonflower and I'm having a very difficult time stitching it by hand. The cotton fabric is "stiff" and unlike regular quilt shop fabric. I'm using size a size 11 John James Sharps needle but it does not like to go through this fabric. This is their basic cotton fabric but I've tried the next better fabric and I didn't see any difference. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you.

homefrontgirl

I agree that both of their cottons are stiff. Have you prewashed it? Maybe that will help?
Good luck!

PamelaOry

I too, found their fabric to be stiff.

cashs_mom

It's probably the printing method that they use that makes the fabric stiff.

Wildernessties

I do like some of their prints but have been surprised by the feel of their fabrics, especially since they cost about 50% more than quilt shop fabrics.

Tartan

Are you hand quilting it or hand embroidering on it? If embroidering perhaps a bit of bar soap on your needle will help it slide through the fabric? If you are hand quilting, give up on loading your needle and try the stab stitch method.

Peckish

I second the recommendation of washing it. I bought some a few years ago and it softened a bit after washing.

QuiltnNan

when I ordered some, directions came separately from the fabric package explaining how to wash the fabric before using... I think it was by email.

SusieQOH

I got the impression that their fabrics were more like upholstery types. I could be wrong though.

luvstoquilt

I have never used that fabric but I think you might wash it before using it.