Wal-Mart/ Joann's fabric
#31
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: The middle of an IL cornfield
Posts: 7,014
Originally Posted by AbbyQuilts
You buy what you can afford.
But if like most people now days and you have to watch your pennies dont let Walmart or Joanne fabric stop you from a wonderful hobby
But if like most people now days and you have to watch your pennies dont let Walmart or Joanne fabric stop you from a wonderful hobby
#32
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: western Pa
Posts: 4,569
I buy 90% of my fabrics from Joann's and I've never had a quilt fray or fade. An LQS in our area recently closed and had a huge sale: $3-4 per yard and I bought a lot of it. Brought it home, stored it with my stash and now I can't tell which is LQS or Joann's. I need to "create"-I'll take fabric from anywhere. The quilt police don't get my quilts as gifts anyhow LOL-they're for friends who appreciate the work, not the cost of fabric.
#34
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: In the Middle of the Desert :D
Posts: 147
Here's a very informative article regarding fabric grades:
http://craftblog.stitchingthenightaw...al-or-no-deal/
I shop on-line, at my LQS, and I also shop at JoAnn Fabrics and Wal-Mart. There’s nothing wrong with this, you just have to know how to recognize quality when you see it - When I was learning to sew clothing, I was taught the "feel test" and it works for me!
Another rule of thumb, if I hold the fabric up and can see through it then I don't buy it! The majority of the time these fabrics will not hold up and often end up mis-shapen after washing.
Just my 2-cents...
MERRYJ: Speaking solely for myself - when I order on-line I usually stick to fabric makers I know and have "felt" before :lol: I've not purchased anything on-line, knock on wood, that wasn't quality fabric.
EBONY: http://www.FabShopHop.com has a good list. It's a start :) http://www.fabshophop.com/listofshops.asp
http://craftblog.stitchingthenightaw...al-or-no-deal/
I shop on-line, at my LQS, and I also shop at JoAnn Fabrics and Wal-Mart. There’s nothing wrong with this, you just have to know how to recognize quality when you see it - When I was learning to sew clothing, I was taught the "feel test" and it works for me!
Another rule of thumb, if I hold the fabric up and can see through it then I don't buy it! The majority of the time these fabrics will not hold up and often end up mis-shapen after washing.
Just my 2-cents...
MERRYJ: Speaking solely for myself - when I order on-line I usually stick to fabric makers I know and have "felt" before :lol: I've not purchased anything on-line, knock on wood, that wasn't quality fabric.
EBONY: http://www.FabShopHop.com has a good list. It's a start :) http://www.fabshophop.com/listofshops.asp
#35
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
Originally Posted by mtnmama
When I first started quilting, there were a lot of things to buy, cutting mat, rotary cutter, rulers, markers etc. I thought to save money, why would I spend big bucks at the quilt store on fabric when I could go to Jo-Ann's and get it for a lot less. Well, that first irish chain quilt that I hand made, hand quilted and is still hanging on my bedroom wall is about three shades lighter blue, it has faded so much and it is not in direct sunlight. So, there is a big difference in the quality of the fabric. You live and learn.
#36
Patrice hit the nail right on the head.
I've said it before -- location of purchase is no guarantee of quality. I've bought some stuff at the LQS that turned out to be garbage and some that was wonderful. The same was true for the fabric I bought at Walmart and at Joanns. You have to feel the fabric and check for quality no matter where you shop.
I especially like Patrice's comment about noses and their purpose. I agree 100%. No one should judge what fabric/store folks choose to spend their money on. Get what you like and can afford in the best quality possible. We should move on from where folks shop and to celebrating the wonderful art they create.
I've said it before -- location of purchase is no guarantee of quality. I've bought some stuff at the LQS that turned out to be garbage and some that was wonderful. The same was true for the fabric I bought at Walmart and at Joanns. You have to feel the fabric and check for quality no matter where you shop.
I especially like Patrice's comment about noses and their purpose. I agree 100%. No one should judge what fabric/store folks choose to spend their money on. Get what you like and can afford in the best quality possible. We should move on from where folks shop and to celebrating the wonderful art they create.
#37
what you can afford for the purpose you need. I am not planning on my quilts lasting 100 yrs... my requirements for fabric is "is it sturdy enough to be loved and washed for 20 yrs?" with this in mind... I think Walmart 4$ fabric meets the standard, some fabric at walmart is far better quality than others that LOOK the same, feel it.
I buy most of my fabric from joanns now because of the coupons and all of the notions they have, their fabric is not created equal either! feel it.
I have just started buying online and dont like to do it, price seems high for me and I cant really match colors and of course... I cant feel it.
I buy most of my fabric from joanns now because of the coupons and all of the notions they have, their fabric is not created equal either! feel it.
I have just started buying online and dont like to do it, price seems high for me and I cant really match colors and of course... I cant feel it.
#38
fellow quilters i am sorry.
i had no idea this question would generate such strong feelings.
it's just that as a new quilter i am trying to do all the 'right things'. trying to make everything perfect the first time out-from pattern selection,to fabric,to color, thread,etc.
am i making it harder than it should be?
grandma took old clothes and made beautiful quilts( i still have one of hers and it is 43 years old) and i feel guilty about not shopping in the 'right' stores.
i can't seem to get it right.
please forgive me if i stepped on anyones toes.
i had no idea this question would generate such strong feelings.
it's just that as a new quilter i am trying to do all the 'right things'. trying to make everything perfect the first time out-from pattern selection,to fabric,to color, thread,etc.
am i making it harder than it should be?
grandma took old clothes and made beautiful quilts( i still have one of hers and it is 43 years old) and i feel guilty about not shopping in the 'right' stores.
i can't seem to get it right.
please forgive me if i stepped on anyones toes.
#39
HEY! you didn't do anything wrong by asking the question. it comes up all the time.
relaaaaaaaaaaaaaaax. it isn't your fault we can't resist arguing with each other about it. we can't help ourselves.
in fact, if you did a search you'd see that we debate the topic at least 3 times a month, every month. like clockwork.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :XD:
relaaaaaaaaaaaaaaax. it isn't your fault we can't resist arguing with each other about it. we can't help ourselves.
in fact, if you did a search you'd see that we debate the topic at least 3 times a month, every month. like clockwork.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :XD:
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