Quilt in a Day Forums

What does it mean when someone describes a fabric as being grainy. I had been to a fabric shop and another woman was talking about a store she had been at that had lots of fabrics but she said she didn't like them because they were grainy?? I am relatively new at this and have just been picking out fabrics that I like and that feel smooth and not scratchy. There is so much to learn and I appreciate everything you all do to help. Thank you

I don't know about "grainy" but maybe she meant there was too much starch or sizing in the fabric and when you wash it, it would go limp. Which means the fabric itself is not very good. Marge

My guess is that it might be loosely woven with larger type weave. Sort of like heavy denim or sail cloth????

Sue

I wonder if it is similar to thread count in sheets. I know the lower the thread count the rougher/grainier the sheet the higher the thread count the smoother????

When I worked in some of the large chain fabric stores, we would buy fabrics that were printed on a lesser grade(less thread count - coarser threads) that looked just like the higher priced cottons at specialty stores. Some manufacturers made different grades of fabric. The "hand" of a higher quality fabric will feel soft and silky to the touch. I have learned over the many years of working in fabric stores is that you get what you pay for. Quilt shop owners are small businesses that take their customers needs and wants for quality into account. The large chains are in it for the mass market and will pass off a lesser grade if they can. You can find good cotton fabrics at the chain stores, but you have to look for it. Many of the lesser grade fabrics are overdyed and prone to fading quickly. I often check the fabrics that I buy using the corner squish and wrinkle test to see how much the fabric will wrinkle. Also some of the lesser grade of fabrics have a tendency to shrink a lot. I hope that this may help some one out there.
Jana

Thank you Jana. I think I understand what she was referring to now. Judi mentioned you get what you pay for, and if you are going to put your blood, sweat and soetimes tears into your work you want it to be right. Each day I learn a bit more from all of you and I so appreciate it. Tonight I am going to my first quilting class. We are going to start something called a mystery quilt.

Good morning Chrissy1 - Enjoy your class tonight - You will learn alot - I enjoy all the classes that I take as well as teach
Jana

tHANKS FOR ALL OF THE INFORMATION.

helen