Wal-Mart/ Joann's fabric
01-23-2010, 04:26 PM
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Monroeville, PA
Posts: 547
Originally Posted by ebony
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.
You did nothing wrong. It is a good question to ask when you are just starting out.
We all ruffle each other feathers like any family but we all have a common thread in the fact that we make quilts.
For years I put off quilting because I went into a quilt shop to get some filler fabrics and I had mentioned that most of the fabric in my planned lap quilt was from walmart. Well I got an ear full and I did not quilt for YEARS because I felt if I couldn't afford it then I couldn't do it.
My reason for posting was to let you know that it is okay to shop at those places
So I was just wanting to let you know that if you want fabric form wlamart joanne or lqs then you get what you want there is no wrong way to make a quilt it is your artistic expression.
Dont let this thread scare you off we are all really a nice bunch :)
01-23-2010, 04:31 PM
#42
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New England, USA
Posts: 2,956
Ebony - I have purchased decent / nice fabric from both JoAnns and Walmart. I have also purchased incorrectly printed and / or off grain fabric for a premium cost at the LAQ. Rule of thumb - feel the fabric, look at is carefully, buy what you like and what you can afford.
01-23-2010, 04:33 PM
#43
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 250
Originally Posted by feline fanatic
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.
01-23-2010, 04:37 PM
#44
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Belle Isle, Florida
Posts: 6,668
Feeling is believing! It still may wash up icky, or shrink a ton, but wash it first and you'll solve most of those issues. Our ancestors made quilts from worn clothing and they made it work. Not everyone can afford $9 a yard, so feel your way through and learn what good fabric feels like. You can find it everywhere. And it's probably on sale!
01-23-2010, 04:38 PM
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Posts: 329
Originally Posted by ebony
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.
The 'right' way to quilt, is with love. Yeah, it's helpful if the fabric lasts too, but the only thing that matters is the people who see your quilts, the ones who are comforted by them, also feel the love you put into them and treasure them because you made them!
We get what we can afford, that's why so many different places sell fabric!
01-23-2010, 05:02 PM
#46
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SW Wisconsin
Posts: 156
Originally Posted by ebony
Originally Posted by BellaBoo
There isn't a reason to not use quality fabric. There are too many online shops that have sales and clearances that will beat Walmart or Joann's fabric prices. Stock up on the basic neutrals and blenders and your favorite color. Always buy backing fabric when there is great sale. I'll buy muslin and fusibles at Joann's with a coupon but seldom buy fabric there. I don't mind buying a couple yards of $9 a yard fabric when I know I have the basic colors to go with it in my stash bought for a few dollars.
01-23-2010, 05:06 PM
#47
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SW Wisconsin
Posts: 156
Originally Posted by ebony
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.
01-23-2010, 05:40 PM
#48
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Fletcher NC(cool, green mountains)
Posts: 646
my comment on this is...I do tons of quilts for PROJECT LINUS, usually about 8-10 per month and there is NO WAY that I could afford to buy fabric from the quilting shops at 8-10 dollars a yard, to give away. I do the "feel it" test too, and I wash it, so if its gonna fade or shrink, it happens before I sew with it. So far, I havent had any of my quilts fall apart;O also try to check the on-line sources for sales and cleanance items, and I usually go for the 2-3 a yard items; If you can afford to spend more, good for you - go to it, but for most of us (on a budget), we have to find what works best - I also like Hancocks.com on line and Fabrics.com and watch for their sales all the time. Anyone got other web sites that are good to keep an eye on?
01-23-2010, 06:57 PM
#49
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SW Iowa
Posts: 32,855
I buy the best I can afford. I shop at Hancocks Fabrics and have found some wonderful fabrics there that feel wonderful and have been washed a number of times and hold up well. I shop my LQS and have found some wonderful buys there. I buy what I like and what I can afford.
01-23-2010, 06:58 PM
#50
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
Originally Posted by Newby0709
[
Please help me, why should polyester batting not be used?
Please help me, why should polyester batting not be used?
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