the difference between quilt shop quality and regular fabric?

[morgans4]

Before washing new fabric I always cut a / on all 4 corners. It does seem to stop all those threads from wrapping themselves around all the other fabrics.

[JudyWoo]

Normally I'm looking for a certain color or print when I'm fabric shopping and if I see something I like, I buy it ... period. I don't worry about thread count as long as it's 100% cotton and not a weave or some shiny weird stuff. I think I've been around long enough to know bad fabric when I see it ... I mean, if it doesn't look good or feel good on the bolt, it's sure not going to be any better after it's gone through the wash. And speaking of "wash" ... any quilting fabric I use is washed for the first time after it's been pieced together and quilted and I can honestly say I've never had anything unravel or fall apart. I machine wash my quilts in warm water and dry them on a low setting. That prevents excessive shrinking, but still gives them the vintage look.

I have friends who bad-mouth Jo Anns's and say their stuff is inferior to the fabrics they buy at Hancocks and Mill End, but I've never had a problem with any 100% cotton fabric I've purchased there. I also buy a lot of my quilt fabric online, but always a name brand and from shops I'm familiar with ... like the Fat Quarter Shop. I love getting a package from them. Everything is folded beautifully, tied with a ribbon, and put into a snug plastic zippy ... it's like getting a present.

Judy

[sunsup]

I love ordering online and, so far, have not been disappointed. I can get better prices and I don't have to drive. There are no quilt shops near me.

[cindyg]

Sunsup - you need to come visit me. We'd take a whole day or two and visit lots of quilt shops in the Houston area. I absolutely love to browse in the quilt shop, look at all the beautiful fabrics, and touch lots of them. There's one particular shop in LaPorte, TX that I wish every quilter could visit. It's fabulous. The Painted Pony is the name of it. It's my all time fave.

[MsSewNSew]

Thanks for the article WESIG. I knew I was a snob, I just didn't know why. I have shopped at JoAnn and Wal-Mart on occasion but I just like the feel of the quilt store fabric. This article really explains it.

Debbie

[Caroline1947]

I use what I can afford,,period, and I cant afford to be a fabric snob.Its either use what I can afford or dont quilt. I know for a fact that SOME of the quilt store fabrics are the same as SOME I get at Walmart. It is cheaper there because it is bought in huge quantities,,therefore they can sell it cheaper than a small quilt shop.If you can afford the best fabrics and choose to be a Fabric Snob,,,more power to you,but please dont make those of us who cant afford the best feel like we are second class.

[AnneinSC]

Caroline, you're absolutely right about "some of the quilt store fabrics are the same as SOME I get at Walmart". I recently bought some muslin there, labeled as VIP Cranston for $2. a yard, and it is exactly the same as some I bought from Keepsake Quilting for more. True, you'll find a lot of junky fabrics priced at a dollar or 2, and you can tell lack of quality by the feel, and the loose weave is almost like cheesecloth. Their better fabrics are the ones usually a bit more, and you can't tell the difference from the LQS ones, especially after pre-washing. I don't buy a lot of fabric anymore, but I still shop my LQS and check out Walmart to see what's new or worthwhile there. Found Snoopy fabric for $2. a yard, and it is a nice tight weave, perfect for the kids quilts. Same quality as the so-called better quilt shop fabric.
Anne

[cindyg]

Oh, Caroline, I sure didn't mean to make you feel second class. I'm so sorry if I did. For years and years I used fabric from WalMart, Cloth World (JoAnn's), and Hancocks (not Hancock's of Paducah). It's just been in the last few years that I've been able to buy my fabrics from the quilt shop. I only make about 2 or 3 quilts a year and I don't buy fabric just to have it sit on a shelf and look pretty. It would be nice but I can't afford to do that. I buy it as I need it for a project. I make quilts for my family and I hope they will have them for generations to come so I now try to use quality fabrics and I know I will get that at the quilt shop. If I made as many things as you do I would not be able to afford quilt shop fabric. Please know that I love you and I wouldn't want to make you or anyone feel second class. I am so sorry.

[Caroline1947]

Cindy,,its ok! Guess i was feeling touchy,,,I know you meant no harm..All our quilts are a labor of love, whether they are the best fabrics or cut up old clothes like grandma had. And thats really what matters,,,Hugs, Caroline

[Cathy32078]

Shoot, I have even found wonderful fabric made into clothes at the Goodwill store or Thrift Shop. I collect buttons so I like to shop there for older buttons on garments. It is a double find if the garment has been made with 100% cotton.