mighty

Ditto that!!!

sahm4605

I saw buy one fq min of each then a few extra cheeper ones to practice on. Make a small quilt with the cheap fabric and then decide if oj really like quilting then dive in. I say as long as the fabric feels good then who cares if it is 50 cents a yard.

kbeuchert

I would definitly say to check out ConnectingThreads on line. There fabric is very reasonable and is nice quality. I'm afraid if you use "cheap" fabric on your first quilting it won't look good because of the material but you will feel like it was your sewing. ConnecthingThreads also has a "clearance" area so you can get your material at an even lower price. Their shipping is reasonable.

coopah

Ditto. I use Connecting Threads and the service is quick. No waiting in line, either! For a first quilt, this would be a good place to start. I have no financial interest in this company.

ShirlinAZ

Sometimes we get too hung up on what others are saying is "right". The first quilt I pieced was a king size Double Irish Chain - and a whole bedroom of accessories to match. I already knew how to sew, so I bought a pattern, went to JoAnn's, and bought fabric that looked and felt good for the project. I now would class that fabric as middle quality. That was almost 20 years ago, and that quilt is holding up beautifully, even being shared with 6 cats.

Do what feels right to you. Just remember that quilting should be enjoyed, not sweated over. If using expensive fabric makes you sweat, then buy what you can enjoy. I try to stay away from cheap quality fabric, but I rarely use expensive fabric. And I buy as much as I can on sale.

Dandish

ShirilinAZ said most of what I was going to say.

My two cents: Don't worry so much if it's expensive fabric or not, just make sure you love it. Many of my first quilts were made exclusively with JoAnn's fabrics, and I've actually just started a top with the same. I've also made many quilts with LQS "expensive" fabric. And, you can find both at both places!

maryfrang

I started with wal mart $1 fabric for my first few quilts. They are now floor quilts for Grandkids. No tear when they are missed used or they are found on the floor of the car or the playrooms. I also have a few blocks that I tried with inexpensive fabric and did not like. The became doll quilts or pillow covers etc., and have a home too. I still pratice a new block with my cheep stash before I make the new blocks for my bigger quilts.

quiltmom04

Just like with good quality materials in everything else - like cooking, for example - better quality fabrics will be easier to work with and may make your hard work look better overall. That's not to say that less expensive materials don't have their place. For practicing, trying out a new technique, or when you don't really need it to last a lifetime. Just realize that the "hand" of a well-worn recycled shirt will not be the same as a piece of new, high quality fabric, so if it doesn't produce the same results, you'll know why.

Annaquilts

I would look for good quality fabric that is affordable. Poor quality fabric is no fun to sew with. That said I do not think you need to buy expensive stuff. Just learn to decifer between what is good and what is not. If you hold it up and it feels hard and stiff yet it is like cheese cloth and you can look through it leave it. If you are making a family heirloom or keepsake besure to buy the best you can afford. I am using way more Walmart and other not high end name brand fabrics. Because of the economy and the cost of fabric going up it was either less or no quilting or go to more affordable fabric options. I do make sure to double check the quality of the fabric no matter where I buy it as it seems many of the quilt shop fabrics are of lesser quality too then they were 10 years ago.

vickig626

when I started quilting a few years ago, I just bought fat quarters and calicos from Joanns because I wasn't ready yet for "good" quality fabric. And, since I'm self-taught, I used poly batting and learned real fast i don't like working with that only because of the fibers that come off while cutting. BUT, I still have that log cabin quilt after 8 years and it's still going strong.

What I've learned about over these years is that when quilting the cheaper fabric, it stretches A LOT, so you think you're doing something wrong when, in fact, it's the fabric's poor quality.

Then I discovered quality cotton. Oh, the wonderful feel of it. I only use good fabric now for quilts. Joanns does have some nice quality fabric and is affordable with coupons - Debbie Mum is nice but the Legacy Studio and there's a couple others that I consider quality.

A good online source is Fabric.com. I buy from them all the time. It's good quality quilt fabric and decent prices.

Good Luck on your journey. Quilting is a lot of fun.