Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Solids -What is best brand for sewing 1.5" squares? >
  • Solids -What is best brand for sewing 1.5" squares?

  • Solids -What is best brand for sewing 1.5" squares?

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 03-26-2019, 06:36 AM
      #1  
    Senior Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Jun 2013
    Location: Central New York
    Posts: 507
    Default Solids -What is best brand for sewing 1.5" squares?

    I am planning a quilt for my son. He requested a Nintendo Zelda quilt using the games images that are made of pixels. I designed the blocks (18 x 18") in EQ8.

    I purchased all the fabric in the solid colors needed. I planned to use all Kona solids. But after making one block with Kona - I'm not sure Kona was the best choice. I love Kona - the color choices and "stoutness" of the fabric, but this project may need a thinner fabric.

    I bought the red, white, and black Kona fabrics at JoAnn. The black seems to be literally shedding away at the edges. All other colors I got at MSQC online. I only used the Cheddar of those, and it didn't seem too bad.

    I'm wondering what other manufacture(s) would be a better choice.

    My closest LQS carries Wilmington solids, which felt okay, but they only had a handful of colors.

    Does any one have any thoughts about American Made or Moda Bella solids, or other suggestions?

    I need about 20 different colors, in a thin, good quality fabric. I don't mind mixing manufacturers to get the color I need, as long as the fabrics are of similar weight/feel/look.

    Attached is one of the blocks I made in EQ8 (a sack of magic dust).
    Attached Thumbnails magic-powder.jpg  
    pinkflowers is offline  
    Old 03-26-2019, 07:16 AM
      #2  
    Power Poster
     
    sewbizgirl's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Oct 2010
    Location: Mississippi
    Posts: 26,113
    Default

    My favorite solids are Dream Cotton by Marshall's Dry Goods... but they aren't "thin".
    sewbizgirl is offline  
    Old 03-26-2019, 07:23 AM
      #3  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Apr 2011
    Location: Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 17,726
    Default

    Originally Posted by pinkflowers
    ..........The black seems to be literally shedding away at the edges...........
    Best Press can help when fabrics that want to shred.
    Don't be afraid to be generous.

    Plus you will find that it makes a huge difference when putting your pieces together,
    to keep everything straight and square.

    Good Luck!
    QuiltE is offline  
    Old 03-26-2019, 07:36 AM
      #4  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: May 2013
    Location: Ballwin, MO
    Posts: 4,229
    Default

    I would go with Michael Miller cotton couture. It comes in many colors and is light and silky, having a higher thread count than most solids brands.
    joe'smom is offline  
    Old 03-27-2019, 03:47 PM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jul 2012
    Location: Morris Plains, NJ
    Posts: 1,802
    Default

    I also like the Michael Miller Cotton Couture. Soft, thinner with a high thread count.it would work great with all those squares.good luck.
    Maureen NJ is offline  
    Old 03-27-2019, 03:50 PM
      #6  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Jan 2015
    Posts: 2,867
    Default

    Black frays more in any fabric line because of the sulphur used to get the deep color. I like Northcutt solids, but they aren't thin.
    Irishrose2 is offline  
    Old 03-28-2019, 04:05 AM
      #7  
    Power Poster
     
    SusieQOH's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2017
    Location: Central Ohio
    Posts: 15,207
    Default

    I love working with Moda solids but I'm not sure if they would be thin enough for your project.
    SusieQOH is offline  
    Old 03-28-2019, 04:17 AM
      #8  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Apr 2010
    Location: Massachusetts
    Posts: 2,005
    Default

    If you want the real Robert Kaufman Kona go to Hobby Lobby. JoAnn carries a cheaper version of it.
    Maureen is offline  
    Old 03-28-2019, 04:44 AM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    EmiliasNana's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Sep 2011
    Location: Illinois
    Posts: 5,311
    Default

    I am currently making the Sew Fresh Quilts weekly blocks of Harry Potter and using all Kona. I found that if I spray the fabric prior to cutting with Terial Magic (a very stiff liquid stabilizer that washes out), the raveling is almost non-existent. Some of my pieces are as small as a 1" sq. unfinished & everything fits together perfectly. The fabric is almost as stiff as cardboard. I did find that the spray may leave a mottled look depending on the density of the spray, but should wash out.
    EmiliasNana is offline  
    Old 03-28-2019, 04:45 AM
      #10  
    Super Member
     
    Charleen DiSante's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Dec 2006
    Location: central NC
    Posts: 1,095
    Default

    I know this may seem heretic to some folks but here goes. (LOL) Try using Broadcloth. It is thinner than some quilt fabrics but may work in these small squares and it is more closely woven. Don't shoot me!
    Charleen DiSante is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    bearisgray
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    65
    02-01-2024 09:04 AM
    GagaSmith
    Main
    41
    06-02-2012 09:58 AM
    annabanana
    Main
    1
    08-23-2010 12:20 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter