fabric from the Eagle Creek quilt shop in Shakopee, MN
In a perfect world, sure, that would be nice. But so would laundry that cleans and folds itself and a self unloading dishwasher. I do love what I call "quilt shop fabric" but I slum it at JoAnn's fairly regularly and even at Wal-Mart occasionally. I also use vintage fabrics in my quilts, which is another thing that "they" say you shouldn't do. I just looked through my stash and I would estimate that about 60% of it is from quilt shops. That's an all time high for me. I do love quilt shop fabric. It's pretty and well designed and soooooo nice. But then again, I have to be realistic, too. I am a stay at home mom to 3 kids who makes many quilts each year. I don't have an endless quilting budget. And the quilts that I made 9 years ago out of what would be considered less than the "highest quality quilting cottons available" are still holding together nicely. I guess I'm just thinking out loud.
fabric from Cia's Palette
I'm curious to know, what are your thoughts on this subject? What do you do?
286 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 286 of 286Although I never set out to be a fabric snob, I have become one... I think it is a far cry from where quilting started and using up so you don't have to do without. That said, I have also tried to hand quilt on all qualities of fabric and found that it is difficult and sometimes even painful to quilt on a low quality fabric because it kind of "bites" the needle and keeps it from gliding nicely. I still will use other fabrics if I have a project that is like a tshirt quilt that will be tied or something like that, but decidedly NOT for handquilting projects. Because I have a hard time remembering which fabrics are which, I have chosen to purchase only quality cottons. This is a fascinating discussion, thanks for bringing it up :)
Wow! 200 comments, this must be a HOT topic! Ha-Ha. I use a little of everything but I do test unknown fabrics for color fastness and shrinkage...I don't want many many hours of work to be runied. I just wonder what our pioneer fore-mothers would think of paying $9.00 a yard for fabric to make a "scrap" quilt! :-)
Amanda Jean, I was not going to comment on this subject, but I thought I would add my thoughts.
When I first started quilting, there were no local Quilt shops. And at that time I was able to find good quality 100% cotton fabric in general stores like TG & Y (the forerunner to Wally world)and Cloth World. Through the years I have used fabric from JoAnn's and other major craft stores with no problem. What I have seen in the last few years is the quality of fabric has declined in places like WalMart, JoAnn's, etc. We are now fortunate to have several LQS's in our area. They will often have pretty good sales, or a clearance rack. With JoAnn's prices climbing to $8 and $9 a yard, I've found that I enjoy the selection from my LQS and just wait until they have a sale. For backing, I can use their clearance fabrics which run around $4.50 a yard. If I don't support my local quilt shop, then they will go out of business, and then there really will not be much selection. I have been in your place and it is hard when you have a young family. But I have been amazed at some of the first quality fabrics I've found that are being marked down because of the new lines coming in. Even at the on line stores. Hope this isn't more then you wanted to hear, but just wanted to share my experience with you.
Wow you really started something here, so many comments. I cannot afford LQS fabric very often, so it's Joann and Walmart. Although the Walmart near me is slowing closing their fabric dept. Cheap fabric can cost alot, to me cheap is not well made not the cost. I have used "cheap" fabric in a quilt that is about 15yrs old and is still in good shape. Who cares what "they" say.
I started out at Joann's, but have "evolved" over the past few years to quilt shop only -- I just put some old Joann scraps into some blocks, and I didn't like the feel of it. It was much thinner, and you could feel the dye on the surface. I have a feeling it's going to shrink at at different rate as well.
As a beginner quilter I had used all JoAnn's fabric in my first quilt and then discovered blogs and became afraid to wash it-I thought it would fall apart into a million pieces! I was scared to death that this king sized quilt that had taken me so long was just going to fall apart. Well it did not! It is all nice and crinkly and on my bed. Like someone said-you can tell if the fabric is good quality you just need to feel it.
I don't have anything against designer fabric-it is very pretty and nice, but I just can't justify nor afford spending 8-17 dollars a yard! Call me cheap, but I can make do with my local Jo-Ann's :)
I think it depends on your goal. What purpose will your work serve, and what is your aim?
A quilt involves a lot of artistic investment. Your time and love goes into it. What will it say?
A hundred years from now will it still speak? I like to think if I'm going to put in my time, I want it to last.
Box stores carry fabric printed on the cheapest grey good with inks that have always ran, bled, and faded on me. Not to mention you can see through the stuff.
As to the budget, there are many wonderful options out there for purchasing the highest quality fabric at reasonable sale prices- Not much more than the box stores and a way better value.
Value your art enough to make it to last.
Having worked in a fabric store for years, I know there is a difference in fabrics. But, since I am unemployed now, the price is just as important. Also, quilts were made from feed sacks at one time. What kind of quality fabric is that? They are still around. Your quilts are beautiful. Don't stop doing what you do. I have been following your blog for about a year now. I love your quilts.
I use any and every kind of fabric I can get my hands on. I cut up old clothes, I take apart old blankets, I buy on sale, and I use unexpected materials. None of my quilts have had any problems with fading, ripping or too much wear. And they get used by golly! In one quilt I have old jeans, double knit polyester, vintage t-shirt fabric, and an old wool blanket for the batting (It was free except for the thread and all the needle I broke!)- It's my picnic blanket, I love it! Ever since I discovered quilt shops, I've loved them, but they don't always carry what I want- I have to be inspired, not just led by perfect patterns and matching cottons.
I buy whatever I can afford at the time and whatever place I can get to (I do not always have a car available for my use), Hancocks is the closest, but I have bought from Walmart and Joann's. Walmart even had some precut jelly rolls last time I was there, I was shocked when I found those, of course they were in the very bottom of the bin and at a good price, twenty bucks.
Amanda Jean I have been reading your blog for a solid two years and I have never seen such a hot button topic on here before. You might as well have asked us do we pre-wash or not or what our stand on health care reform is! hahahahaha.
I use Joann and other big box fabric stores but have shied away from Wal-mart for the last 4 years only because I can never find anything tantalizing. I mix Joann and LQS fabrics. I can't afford to just shop my LQS and I love to quilt too much to limit myself. I have seen quilts from women who only had Hancock's back in the 70s and their quilts are just fine :)
Thank you for posting this. I've read and heard the same comment. I'm new to quilting and frankly will probably never be able to afford the highest quality quilting cottons. The majority of my fabric comes from Wal-mart, Joanns or Goodwill. I've always felt snubbed by the "real" quilters because I cannot afford anything more expensive. Plus being new to quilting if my quilt doesn't turn out or I screw it up in some way I wouldn't be able to get over it if I used the $9+ a yard fabric. Thank you for being real and telling it how it really is!
Look at this can of worms you opened!!
I buy per project - like I said the other day - and will buy the batting and the backing separately to help keep the cost over the course of 2 months or more. Often times my quilts are inspired by a group of fabric - and then it's a must have :)
I don't think of myself as a fabric snob, but I do tend to buy online mostly or in the LQS just 5 minutes away. Where we live is to far out to get to joanns or even walmart regularly, and even when I do get there it's with all 4 in tow usually and I just can't think!
I hope you aren't getting too much negative feedback - I love what you do and whatever fabric you pick makes it just right!
Amy :)
I use both.
I like to window shop at the quilting shops, but here in Denmark Quilt shop cotton easily costs $22 a yard, and that is just way too much.
So I try to find good sales, and I buy "no-name" fabric, old sheets etc.
Glad to hear I am not alone. I also use fleece, old blankets or towels for batting sometimes, as batting is also very expensive here.
And no, it is not really how quilting started!
Oh my goodness, 214 comments! I guess this is a hot topic, and I don't mind being 215! I use Joann fabric all the time. I don't think that the LQS fabric is a higher quality. I've had the same problems with my higher quality fabrics as the other ones. The LQS has highly paid designers, so they have more things that are in fashion, but since my quilts are made to last, they don't have to sport the latest fashionable fabric. I think about 10% of my quilts have predominately LQS fabric.
Hi AmandaJean, great topic and comments.
I'm a pretty new quilter (in England), and I have found the idea of purpose-made-coordinated-quilting-fabric entrancing in a brandlabelexpensive way, but also a bit prepackaged and limiting. One of the main reasons I like patchwork and quilting is the challenge of finding and using scraps I already have, vintage material, or material from other unlikely places, to put together to make something lovely and new. I don't think I could afford, or would want, to buy quilt-fabric for more than a few pieces - that would miss out on the best parts of the process.
I do search out high quality shirts and dresses, 100% cotton only, at charity shops and car boot sales, and I think I'm pretty choosy (some of my shirts intended for scraps end up getting worn by members of my family before I've cut them up). I pay no more than £1.50 tops for each piece. It makes finding the material and putting it together harder but I love that.
I sew for as free or cheaply as possible - not just for necessity, but to feel like what I do adds value to something that didn't start out as having much value. I get such a kick out of repurposing old clothes and such into beautiful new creations. Reduce, reuse, recycle!!
I think you should use whatever suits you! I use quilt shop fabric, JoAnn's and Walmart. I go by the feel of the fabric, thickness, etc. I just use what I like. I have some of my grandmother' quilts. They did not have QS, joanns or walmart. They used whatever they had. I like the used comfortable feel of a quilt. My world is not perfect. It used to be, but I have relaxed a lot. I love your blog and your quilts. Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!
i, like others, just don't want to pay the high price of the quilt shop fabric. i like the prices that joann's and hancock offer but don't like the selection they have....on that note....
i absolutly hate shopping at joann's and hancock's.....but, due to the fact that they are the only stores near me, then that is where i shop....and i buy lots there. i have been careful to watch the feel of what i buy there. it needs to be a nice sturdy cotton, not flimsy and thin. that doesn't make me a quilt snob but this is purely the ease that my quilt pieces go together when i have some good sturdy cotton.
so, on that note, i MUCH rather shop and purchase as quilt shops but the main reason for that is selection in prints, colors etc. rather then quality. i really could care less whether it is designer fabric.
I am drawn to fabric that I think is pretty, no matter where it comes from. I LOVE the fact that my first quilt along with you was made up of a combo of a damask tablecloth from my parents who are divorced, vintage fabric from my step mom, mens shirts I snipped up from the thrift store, and some fancy shmancy quilting fabric.
I love quilt shop fabrics, but don't have the money to buy it. I've always used fabrics from JoAnn's, Hancocks and Walmart and although would like to use 'better' fabric do just fine with what I use.
I say use what you want.
For me, it's Wal-Mart and JoAnns all the way! I am a stay at home mom to two kids, and my husband is going to school on top of working full time, so there isn't much extra money. I either sew with inexpensive fabrics, or I don't sew. I love using fabrics that would otherwise be wasted (old sheets, pillowcases, clothes, etc),
and I'm not going to buy something just because it has a famous label.
I thought "highest quality quilting cotton" meant "You like it and it will look nice made into a quilt".
I didn't get a chance to read thru all these comments (I have 3 small kids, one of them 2 weeks!), but I definately think it's sad that only quilt shop fabric is suggested. I have had great luck with fabrics from JoAnn's & WalMart, and also occassionally "treat" myself to the LQS stuff. But to be realistic, I would not be able to quilt as much as I do if I was restricted to the LQS's. I'm a stay at home mom too, on a very limited budget, but simply LOVE to quilt! You definately need to check as all fabrics at JA's & WM are not created equal; and I have found some very nice things at WM, and some junk at JA's. My great-grandmother has passed down some beautiful hand-stitched quilts that were made of used clothing, and they are still in wonderful condition. I too, feel hesitant (as someone mentioned) to use the "fancy stuff" as I don't want to ruin it, so it stays in my stash! I say keep on quilting and forget where the fabric came from- I've made many well-loved quilts that have been washed and dried multiple times (kids!), and are still in great condition! I also view my quilts as "practice" for the perfect one someday, and none of them are perfect- so do I really want them all to last 100+ years? By the way, love your blog!! =) ~lisa
Hi Amandajean,
This is my first visit to your blog and it's terrific!
It's true, "they" do say so and I do love quilt store fabrics. But, my first quilt, for my now 36-year-old little girl, was made entirely of fabric bought from the Sears catalog!It has big puffy batting, eyelet ruffle instead of binding and yarn ties. It was on her bed most of the time she was growing up and it's still around, holding up just fine.
My philosophy is: get the best you can for as cheap as you can - just be careful.(Don't you hate that WalMart isn't selling fabric any more).
Keep up the good work :)
Pat B
I'm over 1/2 century old now and retired, worked hard for 30 years. Fortunately I have a decent pension so I can afford the good stuff so that is what I buy. I also bought a brand new Bernina when I retired. Hubby about fell over when he found out how much that cost -- but it was my time to have something I wanted. I scrimped enough when I was young - single mother. No more. No more macaroni and cheese dinners either. ha ha
If something changes I'll probably have a stash so big it would last me another 5+ years. lol
I have found great bargains on the good stuff when you buy a year or so later. I'm guessing you have heard of quiltshops.com
Good topic -- fun to read the responses.
I want my quilts to withstand vigorous cleaning, look pretty, and match my d̩cor Рa modern notion that would sound ridiculous to a pioneer woman. But she lived in a one-room soddy, had no washing machine, stitched by whale-oil light and had never heard of income tax. I've budgeted a monthly allowance for quilting and I buy the best I can afford with it. Not practical, I know. I could easily get double or triple the yardage if I bought cheaper fabric.
I also like magazines, chocolate, cut flowers, good wines, eating out, and an occasional pedicure. I've even bought clamshells of imported strawberries in the middle of a Canadian winter (priced higher than gold per ounce, I swear). I wouldn’t make a good pioneer.
I too have to watch my budget, so I am very intentional with my purchases. This past year I've noticed I have a lot of fabrics that I bought just because they were on sale at Hobby Lobby, JoAnn, Walmart, but I don't love them. So, rather than impulse buy or make a purchase without a specific project in mind, I've started only purchasing fabric from my quilt shop when I know what I'm going to do with it, and I must love it before purchase! I think it is pretty much a wash, because I could easily spend $40 on less quality fabrics that were "30% off" that will just sit, or get a project and purchase accordingly, only buying what I need.
I'm doing the same thing with clothing too...purchase the best quality I can afford so they will last and just what I need. No need to have gobs of clothes that I never wear laying around.
My motto is to buy the best you can afford - and if that is Joann, so be it! All the first quilts I made for my kids were Joann/Hobby Lobby fabrics and they are faded some, but were made with lots of love! :)
GREAT discussion!
It's a myth started by the quilting "industry" that you should only use "the very best" quilting fabrics in a quilt... the same industry that people often think of as the "quilting police"... unfortunately these days people learn to quilt through quilt store run workshops (or even from the web), whereas it used to be a skill passed on from grandmother to mother to daughter... the people teaching the quilting often have their own agenda, to sell a product... and the meaning of quilting is getting lost... i mean does it really matter if you use some cheaper fabric in the quilt that wasn't bought at the "right" store? does it matter if your binding is machine sewn instead of hand sewn?
Does it really matter if all your quilting thread isn't 100% cotton? Does it really matter if your binding isn't cut on the bias?
All of these expectations are being placed on quilters about the "right" way to make a quilt...
If you get right back to basics... Surely the purpose of a quilt is to make a pretty rug to keep you warm and if the patchwork rug is made with love and it is pretty and keeps you warm then what more could you ask for? Quilting used to be an "inclusive" hobby allowing people of all budgets to take part... it's a shame that a capitalist society has made quilting more "exclusive", making people feel as if they shouldn't make a quilt unless they can make it the "right" way
Amy
Wow! I'm so glad you brought this up. I have been almost embarrassed to put some of my quilts on flickr because I didn't use designer fabric. My local quilt shop doesn't really carry the type of fabric I like (calico anyone??) and I really love to walk around with bolts and see how things look together. It's hard for me to feel how I'll like things ordering from little tiny squares online. I just ordered all my fabrics from fabricshack.com for this next quilt and, although I'm pleased with them, I really fear I didn't get enough. EEK! I may have to supplement with some Joanne stock. . .
I just read the Quilts of Gee's Bend and it showed some amazing quilts that were made out of old polyester pants and flannel shirts. And I'M worried about using JoAnne fabric!
I use a huge variety of fabrics in my quilts. Some is Walmart/Joanne's in origin, some is quilt shop quality. Some of it is vintage that I got when my grandmother and cousin cleaned out their houses in preparation to move. Some has been donated to me and I don't know what the origins are. I use what I have on hand, I'm a big believer in scrappy quilts, and I make quilts to be used to bits, not to be heirlooms that are never touched. If it's loved and (hehe, reasonably) well-made, then my job was done, and the materials were sufficient. :)
WOW, could you ever imagine this subject would bring about so many comments?!?!?!
I'd say there are as many opinions as there are quilters.......as is evident here.
I have nothing more to add.....
HAPPY QUILTING EVERYONE !!!
I quilt what I like. I've even cut up my kid's cotton clothes that don't fit anymore and used the fabric in quilts. I figure, if the fabric held up through my kids and all the washing that entailed, it'll hold up in a quilt. So far I haven't been disappointed. I also love the designer fabrics. They're pretty and vibrant and great to work with, but I also don't have a huge quilting budget. Plus, I really enjoy using vintage fabrics in quilts. Searching for them in thrift shops is half the fun, too! There will always be people saying what you should and should not do in quilting, but I don't listen to them much. I don't even pay attention, actually. Usually they are the ones who don't really produce many quilts...they just do a lot of talking. :)
As long as it isn't thin or see through I will use it. Doesn't matter where it came from.
I buy Joann's all the time - and get slightly irritated by the fabric snobbery in phrases like "quilt shop quality". I live, like most of us, on a budget. I simply can't afford to purchase all of my fabric at $9 (or more!) per yard. I find beautiful, and well-made, fabrics at chain retailers throughout my hometown, without the LQS price tag. Sure, I'd love to support my LQS, but it's really out of the way for me, and I have to consider what gets me more bang for my hard-earned buck. I can order online, but find no joy in it. I love being able to pick up and fondle the fabrics before they find their way into my shopping cart. I find that it's all a matter of being selective about my purchases, no matter where I find my fabric.
I'm a very amateur sewist, and I didn't think there was a difference until I used some Joann's fabric. The weave was so loose that fibers were pulling through it. INCREDIBLY annoying considering the time I put into it. I'm not against cheaper fabric depending on what I'm making, but I'll certainly pay more attention to quality next time. I think vintage fabrics in general are higher quality so have no problem with them!
From experience I will never use Walmart fabrics in another quilt unless the quilt will only be washed occasionally. The third quilt I made was for my infant granddaughter, lap size quilt, Walmart fabrics. She loves this quilt to this day and it has been washed many times. After about 4 years of washing, the fabric had shredded, holes everywhere in the quilt top. I had to machine quilt all over the top to try to keep it together then I put a new back and binding on it. My granddaughter is 9 now and still takes that quilt with her everywhere so my story has a happy ending.
I have never used fabric from Joanns or Wallmart in my quilts. It is not so much a quality issue, however I did take a texile class and learned that the differences in how the fabrics are manufactured, does make a difference in your finished quilt quality. That would mostly have to do with thread counts and how the patterns are printed on the fabric.
My problem with the big chain stores such as Joanns and Wallmart is that they have made it really hard for small Mom and Pop stores to remain in business. I am a business owner who has competed with some of these big stores for business. The big stores can always buy wholesale merchandise for better prices, so the little store is left without customers. I prefer to support the small quilting stores! And make it a point to travel further, take some classes, and buy most of my tools and fabrics from the Mom and Pop stores. I want to see the quilting industry thrive and grow and that can't happen unless I support them.
I am so glad you posted about this. I think you should use fabric you like regardless of where you purchased it. It is hard for some people to afford all "quilt shop" fabric esp. when you are just starting out. I hate feeling judged by people who only sew with "name brand" fabric.
I am so glad to hear you say that. Being newer to quilting I had been made to think I was doing something wrong if I did not buy the expensive fabric. I have been sewing since I was a kid and always bought my fabric from hancocks or walmart. So i had quite a collection. Then when i started quilting, after reading things like you did, I thought i couldn't use it.
BTW I was drooling over your fabric pictures. I go to bed at night thinking about fabric and such.
I agree that you have to use what you can afford. I was once in a local quilt shop where a young,excited quilter came in with some fabric she loved (ok it came from WalMart) and she wanted to match some fabric to it. She told the owner "I can't afford to buy all my fabric here but I would like to buy some" the shop owner told her "go back to WalMart and get your fabric" simply put the girl left and I am sure never set foot in that shop again. The owner looked at me and said "business is awful because of people like her". No! Business is awful because YOU are a quilt SNOB!I use what I can afford and what I LIKE! Don't let the quilt snob tell you what is right and wrong. Sew from the heart not the purse!!!
Why not have the best of both worlds--nice fabric & a great price? I order on-line and get most of my stuff for the $3.50-$4.00 per yard range that is the exact same stuff sold in my LQS for $10.00/yard or more. Delivery only takes 2-3 days, and no sales tax, which is another savings! Two favorites are thousandsofbolts.com and whittles.com. Also, I always try to shop at Joanns and Hancocks when they have their big clearance sales, and buy lots of Kona cotton solids. With a good selection of solids, you can match nearly any print in your stash and not have to buy more all the time.
I usually buy quilt store fabric, but extend it with a good quality bleached muslin. I love the way white in a quilt makes the other fabric pop!
Cathy
I was defending myself (in my mind) just yesterday with that comment about how quilting was all about using up whatever you could afford! I live at least 1 hour from any kind of quilt shop, save the fabric section at wal-mart, so I MUST rely on those "sub-par" quilt fabric suppliers for my supplies! I agree with you so much, but have been afraid to speak my mind, thinking I would be shunned by the quilting world...THANK YOU for your honesty and for thinking out loud!
When I first started buying fabric for quilting, I bought Joann's or Wal-mart. And in retrospect, that was probably a good idea, as a beginner, to use cheaper fabric to practice on. I do only buy quilt shop fabric now, but I am a lot more selective than I used to be. I usually only buy for a quilt pattern instead of stash building like I used to.
I think if you are making a wedding quilt or an heirloom quilt, one should go as high quality as one can afford. (Consider your time and effort into your quilt, especially if it has many pieces and intricate designs - you may want to use good fabric for such a lot of effort.)
If it's just for household use, like kids quilts that will wear out anyway, or items such as throw pillows, etc that don't get a lot of wear and tear, go for Joanns. There is also an online quilt shop that advertises their own quilt shop quality fabrics for only 5.99. Worth looking into.
Also, when feeling fabric, one thing to watch out for is starch. The less expensive fabrics sometimes have a lot of starch added to give it more body in the store, but washes out at home, so you end up with thinner fabric. The thread count can vary, as well as the weave quality. Perhaps going middle of the road instead of the absolute cheapest is another possibility? I think all fabrics have their role.
PS: To the person who wanted to use a sheet of 50 cotton/50 polyester - if you use a 100% cotton top, it will shrink some, but the bottom will not. Make sure you prewash your cottons before using if you really want to use that for a backing. Even then, there might be additional shrinkage.
Well I go to Goodwill to look for percale sheets looking for old designs and pillow cases that are just what I love. I mix and match whatever. I buy only fabric if it's on sale or that I must have...which usually means I wait for sales. I have ordered from the Fat Quarter shop a few times, but only sale items.
I just don't pay full pop at the LQS because here in Canada as stated, it's upwards of $15.00 per metre, plus taxes....Walmart has great fat quarters and a favorite quilt here at the cottage is from Walmart fat quarters.
I am not into the snob thing. I do have a friend who only buys from LQS and $15.00 for flannel is just way over my desires!
A great post and good luck in reading about 300posts for this one!
Great topic! To me, the "feel" of the fabric is important. I don't use anything that is flimsy. I have lots of fabrics that are from JoAnn and in the past from Hancock's (although we no longer have a Hancock's here now). Many of these I've had a long time so am using them combined with the "good stuff" and am very happy with the results. There are some good online sources to purchase quilt fabric and so far so good (plus they are cheaper!).
What an enlightening post. I don't have a budget to purchase a lot of very expensive fabrics. I am currently creating a quilt that will be for my son, many pieces are from cotton dress shirts that belonged to my husband. Because I am so new to quilting, I wondered about this same thing.
Thank you for prompting such an interesting conversation. :o)
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
Yessss! So nice to hear your balanced opinion on the matter. I like to think of myself as an "equal opportunist" fabric collector. Quality matters, but so does price. I use what I've got, which is a little bit of everything.
As far as the crafting community goes, I think attitude is the most important thing; i.e., snobby is as snobby does. If you prefer quilt shop fabric and can afford it, then great! If you only use thrifted and recycled stuff, then great! Just don't look down on anyone else for their choices. I'd like to see more "fabric tolerance" in the blogging world. I knit too, and the same issues crop up when people talk about yarn too. Thanks for weighing in on the subject. Love your blog!!
I think they are mostly trying to say that if you're going to invest all this time and effort into a quilt, you should use quality fabrics so that you aren't heartbroken when they fall apart or bleed or whatever. We can't all turn out one every week like you do, Amanda! I do think the 100% cotton part is important, though.
Obviously a subject everyone has an opinion on! I love quilt shop fabric but the average price is $9.00 per yard. When I first started quilting I had to look at the price before purchasing and the very first quilt I ever made the fabric was almost entirely from JoAnns. My local JoAnns--well they know me better than my doctor!
I think if the fabric is pretty, a good price, and holds up well....what does it matter where you got it? I get a lot of my fabrics from Hobby Lobby. They run sales almost every week...I can find cute, trendy fabrics at $3.00 yard. Where else can you get such a bargain???
I'm in my early 30's and my grandmother was just chatting wtih me about quilting and clothing making. She said that she used to have all her dresses made out of "Feed Sacks". Feed for animals on the farms used to come in pretty colored fabrics and her mom made all of her dresses from these. I'd give anything to have a "feed sack" to make a quilt with!
I'm living on a budget that doesn't usually include $9.00 a yard fabric. I love it but can't always afford it.
I agree that we should use what we can afford and I like shopping on-line, at my local Quilt shop and I love Wal-mart
.........as if you need another comment...
1. My quilts- and myself- we are not made to last forever. I am okay with that. But they do last a long time around here.
2. Quality: WM fabrics (and Jo Ann's) are often used on cloth diapers- and they're washed 100's of times, and it takes a lot to wear them out.
3. I have quilts older than myself that have been severely violated by the kids (and myself, on a rough morning after...) and they've been washed way too many times to count- guess what? The colors are fine. The fabrics are fine. The stitches are fine. And if they need a new patch- somehow, some way, I will buck up and fix them. :-x
I hand quilt, and- often these days- I hand piece. I use 100% cotton much of the time, and I prefer organic. But I use it all. Well, except polyester, because I don't like how it feels.
I'm in a "stash reduction" phase, so if I can find something in my stash that works, I'll use it, regardless of the source. Sure, it'd be fun to use all LQS fabric, but with the amount of quilts I make per year, the cost would be prohibitive.
I live in a very rural part of the country and something we have here is fabric stores (they aren't quite on the level of quilt stores) that carry a lot of quilt shop quality fabric, albeit from a few years ago. But for the price (generally $3 - 5 / yard), who can complain? I found some Kaffe Fassett fabric on the $1.79 table. I asked about it, and the ladies who run the place felt it was "ugly" and marked it accordingly! (OK, it was a very loud shade of yellow.) But Kaffee Fassett for $1.79 per yard?!? What a find!
This comment is tailor made for me in Sri Lanka. We do not have fabric shops for quilters full stop! we get by fabrics available which people use for sewing clothes and a great deal of this is simple cottons. It is not bad at all and my first quilt is over 20 years old and still being used!
I of course envy you on a daily basis when I see the mind boggling designs available of every description possible but this is what is available for us here. No layer cakes, jelly rolls etc either.
Mystica
It sounds like you have a good ratio of fabrics in your stash...
I OWN an independent store (and of course I want people to buy my product), BUT... it is more important that you be able to SEW.
You've gotta do what you've gotta do and you've gotta be able to afford to do it.
I use both...I figure that if they ever wear out, I'll just make more. It's not a big deal to me and I buy what I like
I don't have much money (being a full-time student, and a carer to disabled parents) and I don't have the luxury of picking the highest quality fabrics. I've learnt to get bargains when I see them, and repurpose curtains and clothing and anything else I might find, vintage or otherwise!
We don't have a local quilt shop (I'm in the UK), and the one shop we do have (that sells icky upholstery weight fabric) only occasionally has something worth me picking up, but when I do see something, I jump on it!
My only criteria are that everything has to be of the same weight (within reason), and I have to LIKE it. Just because it's cheap doesn't mean I'm obliged to love a fabric!
If there's something I'm desperate to have though, I will try and save up for it, but it's so hard to get some fabrics over here. I would love a set of Dick and Jane prints, but they cost a bomb, or the shipping from the US is what scuppers me.
Well, I really wasn't going to add another comment to the bunch, I mean 261 comments...could you really need another one? But I can't keep my mouth shut. So here goes. I read all the comments and really had some thoughts:
FIRSTLY, it's not my job to keep the LQS in business. I know they have overhead but why is it my responsibility to make sure they make money? They now charge $10 yd, and I can't afford to pay that when I can find the fabric much cheaper in other places.I still buy there when I need something, but never huge amounts, and mostly on the sale racks!
SECOND, joann's now carries lots of quality fabric from known designers at $4, $6, and $8 yd. The solids I buy there ARE KONA cottons and just yummy. I don't buy $1.25yd fabric that feels like cardboard, I'm smart about it.
THIRD, with the sales and online store that keep low prices, I can find all sorts of first rate so called "quality" fabrics for $4 to $7.50 yd.
Thousands of Bolts, Z & S fabrics, Whittles.com, Quilthome.com, loads of Etsy shops...all sell the same fabrics at reduced costs. They don't have the overhead so they can cut out some of the costs and still make a profit.
Besides, my LQS refuses to carry any of the fabric I like so why should I refuse to shop anywhere but there. I think we all do what we can. If having fun and affording your hobby means you find sales and lower priced fabrics then nobody has the right to tell you that what you make isn't "worth anything" or quality work.
Something funny about all those pioneer ladies who stitched. YES they used whatever they had available but they made the BEST with it and did the BEST work they could. Pristine work actually! It always amazes me to read the stories in the state books about teaching kids to hand stitch. If they did it wrong and didn't match points or seams, it was ripped out and they were sent to try again. NO excuses.
So Amanda Jean, use what you like and what you can afford and don't let anyone make you feel bad for loving your hobby and taking care of your family.
I pride myself on finding fabric at the joanne's for $2 a yard and matching it to quilt shop fabric. I have quilts 10 years old that are hold up just fine.
I drive a saturn not a lexus. And have a whirlpool not a sub zero fridge. But ya know I still get to work and have cold veggies.
I'm with you!
Amen to that! I do use a mix of both, I love some designer fabrics. Yet, I also fall in love with styles of "lesser" fabrics. I have a beautiful quilt top an ancestor made, it's probably 100 years old. I guarantee that not a single bit of that quilt is from a designer quilt line. ;)
Two hundred and fifty plus replies in a couple of days - I would say you have touched a nerve.
Snobbery crops up everywhere and quilting is no different. Here in the UK we don't have many quilting groups and when I found one near me I was told that I would have to 'pass' an interview! WHAT!!! Forget that.
I wash all fabric before using it. Where do I get it from - anywhere - and I use poly cottons - that's me an outcast!!
One beef I have about the UK is the impossibility of getting flannel fabric, I long to make a flannel quilt but haven't plucked up courage to buy it on line from the US. I think I will this winter.
It's quilts we are making, not bedding for the Queen!!!
By the way, my neighbor just gave me some fabrics of the 60's and they're are still strong and good enough for a quilt. So, I'll use them. I use everthing I can, because here in Brazil the cheapest quilting cotton is about U$ 9,00/yard !!! And the importeds ones cost about U$ 22,00/ yard!
PS: now I have a blog too!
Honestly, as much as I love quilt shop designer fabrics, I just can't afford them all the time. I generally mix and match. I can usually find a "favorite" at the quilt shop and then mix in other pieces from other stores and online.
Whoa, immense amount of comments here. My two cents: buy what feels good to your fingers (a big part of why I prefer to buy fabric in person as opposed to online - some expensive fabrics don't feel worth the money to me), and pre-wash everything in warm water with laundry detergent. Just this morning I had a yellow batik bleed like crazy! I have been sleeping on vintage sheets for years, which get washed regularly, and the stitching has broken in places before the fabric has worn through. Then again, you never know how something vintage was handled before it got to you (bleached every week, for example, then ironed), nor can you tell how a recipient will care for what you make for them. Take the time to learn about how fabric is made, where it comes from, what thread count means, and how to care for it. Price points can also be determined by popularity, brand name, complexity of design, and number of different colors used. Then you'll be able to determine if 'cheap fabric' is actually a good value.
In Australia the designer fabrics cost around A$24 per metre - yes, pick yourself up the floor from shock, Americans! I use a variety of fabrics from vintage, op shop, discount craft store to designer, but mostly designer fabrics - almost all bought directly from the US over the internet due to the astounding cost differential for the exactly the same product. I reckon use whatever fabrics you like! It's all got to fit within your own budget and preferences.
*whew* Actually read through every comment and a lot of it is thought-provoking.
I wanted to add (belatedly) to the discussion: I read a lot of irritation with but personally like when block exchanges require quilt-shop quality fabric only. EVERYONE here seems to agree that there are different quality levels of fabric, and most people state that they are sure to choose the ones with some substance, etc.
However, it is easier to trust that some random person on the Internet isn't going to send you thin bleedy fabric if they get it from a quilt shop rather than one of the national chains. Of course, I have also bought poor quality fabrics from some of the big fabric manufacturers at my LQS, but it is less likely to happen than with fabric from Joann's.
And yes, I do exclusively buy my quilt fabric from my LQSs, but I really don't think I'm a snob about it. It is just what I like.
Lordy, I think you hit a hot button for a lot of people. My stash is over half inherited, and I haven't a clue as to the fiber content of most of it. If it feels nice and doesn't stretch, who gives a fig if there's a smidge of poly in it?
I intentionally use non-cotton fabrics in some of my quilts. I love to use polyester fleece for back and batt on kid and lap quilts. Some of the decorator or garment faux suedecloths are yummy in quilts too.
I figure if you can work with the fabric easily and it doesn't feel fragile, go for it. Good, solid piecing and careful quilting will make nearly any fabric look good.
And I do buy my fabric at JoAnn's, as well as some at quilt shops. But I always shop the sales so I can stay in budget.
I actually read through all the comments! Whew!
My situation is a little different than most it sounds like. I live in Chicago and there is ONE Joann's in the city as well as (until very recently) ONE quilt shop. There are others in the suburbs but that's a hike for me. There are a couple fabric stores relatively close (in Chicago terms!) but one is kind of a mess and the other is primarily suiting and interior design fabric (gorgeous but not what I'm looking for).
I buy a lot of things online and I tend to go with fabrics from manufacturers I know since I'm not touching the fabric. That said, I also go to Joann's for solids (they carry Kona cotton at my Joann's) and sometimes fabric for baby blankets. (My Joann's is also flannel and fleece heaven which is sometimes helpful.) I've found some lovely fabric there but I wouldn't feel comfortable purchasing their stuff online since I wouldn't be able to feel it and some of their cottons don't feel that nice. I think someone else said they didn't like the Joann's FQs and I totally agree.
I'm lucky to be able to afford to purchase fabric like this and I also am not a prolific sewer like many of you so my fabric dollars are more spread out. I also love to use things like my husband's old shirts or my old tshirts to make things for my son. There's something so comforting to me about surrounding him in our things.
The idea of fabric snobbery is kind of sad to me. Use what you like, what works for you, and mind your own business about what other people use. Who cares what someone uses as long as it makes them happy and works for their purpose? I love seeing what other people can do with reclaimed and vintage fabric. This divisive stuff is yucky--it would be lovely to celebrate what everyone is doing instead of judging because someone is doing something differently.
/off soapbox now!
And what's the hot button topic for next week? ;-)
Wow - what a response you are getting! Bottom line - I use what I like and can afford -what works with the project I have in mind - and what I can find.
Love the 'reclaimed clothing' blocks - I have a few of those in the queue to be made and just love the feel of hubby's old shirts and how they work up into blocks. Good stuff!
I am quickly learning that i need to do both. Somewhere in my brain I thought the same thing as what those people said...but I have a very limited budget...so Walliworld, JoAnnes (when I get near one!) and some other not so expensive places, here I come!
21 years ago, when I was 15 and started quilting, we used "the cheap stuff". The quilts faded and fell apart.
8 years ago I started quilting again, with "the cheap stuff". Then, I discovered "quilting cottons" and their high price. Bit-by-bit, I've built a size-able stash (honestly more than I'll use anytime soon). As I Fondle My Fabric, and come across lower qualities (denoted by feel), I pull it aside. I sometimes donate them, but usually I save the "cheap fabrics" and use them for sewing lessons (with my sons (4 & 6 yo) or other "students" that find their way into my Sewing Studio).
I understand the need to be frugal, but I also want my items to last. I also am more willing to use lower qualities for items that are going to be used and abused. Heirloom items or things for me, get the nicer materials.
All that said, I have a box of my kids old clothes. As they've been outgrowing them, I'm saving them for a "someday" quilt. I think I finally decided what to do with my boys' old clothes... I'm going to start making blocks to put into a Wedding Quilt for them... I'm planning to use the same pattern I used for their Baby Quilt, so, in theory, at their Wedding, they can hang their baby quilt alongside their (King? size) Wedding Quilt. One boy has a pinwheel the other is a Jewel Box. Both should work well with old clothes and a solid (white?, recycled sheet?) background.
There you go! ;)
The first quilt I made was out of scraps and included fabric from my first dress made at the age of 16. As of the date of this posting, that particular piece of fabric is 40 years old! It's polyester blend and still looks good. I buy used cotton clothing at the local thrift store, gladly accept any fabric someone gives me and incorporate anything I have into a quilt.
While I would love to work with higher quaility fabrics, that isn't in my budget. I use what I have. So far all the quilts I've made over the last 10 years have held up, are still beautiful and the recipients love them.
My only concession to "quilt shop" quality is the Essential Thread from the Connecting Threads website. It's easy to work with, doesn't fuzz up like poly-blends and holds up well.
Miss Marti from California
Okay, here is my story... years ago as a new quilter I made a quilt for my bed using only "Quilt shop quality" fabrics. It was a simple log cabin I got a little creative with and used a bit of pink taffeta for the center squares. I had two dogs at the time, one a 35lb and the other 9 lbs. The ONLY fabric in the quilt that became brittle and tore was the most expensive designer fabric!!!! (Even the taffeta lasted longer!) Lesson: Make what you like with what you love and use it for as long as it lasts then move on. I buy what I want, regardless of where I find it! When it comes to thread I buy the one that leaves the least amount of lint in my machine and doesn't break. Because those are my two pet peeves about thread. So in case no one else has said it - (I've been a quilter for 20 years so I am pretty sure this will work) and I hearby wave the magic quilting wand and say "It's your fabric and your art - make it however you want!"
I loved reading all the comments!
I worked at JoAnn's for a few years in high school. All I ever bought and sewed with was JoAnn's until this year. There is a LQS within 10 minutes of my house that I just found. While I'd love to support local business, it's too expensive. I go there for sales and if there is something specific I need...otherwise I go to JoAnn's.
Also, I can't see spending so much money on quilting fabric for someone who probably doesn't understand how much time and money it takes to make a quilt and doesn't really appreciate it. As crafters we all understand the time and effort, but non crafters generally don't get it.
interesting, though i'm late to comment. i'm not a fabric snob, i use all sorts of fabric. i do try to stay away from the REALLY cheap, low quality stuff. i'd prefer wonderful high quality fabric all the time, but i have a budget too. i love vintage fabric, but i do test it out before i use it.
Amen! Do what you can, when you can :)
I started reading this thread with an opinion, but it changed as I read through and thought of a king size log cabin I made for my husband and I 15 yrs ago that is now faded and ripped. This was not a master piece, but it was a lot of work, it was also the best fabric I could find at the time, country calico that we all worked with 'in the day'. looking at some of my older quilts has made me more particular about what I use now.
I use whatever I can get. I've been collecting previously worn jeans and kaki material to make a jean and kaki quilt for winter. I'm dreaming of making a quilt just out of store bought fabric, but that's a someday. ;) I save and save fabric until I have enough that matches nicely. Then I make blocks and etc. out of that.
Courtney
Isn't using up bits and pieces and old shirts and pants the origin of crazy quilts and the like?? Part of the tradition is alive and well. Also I think you have to take criticism from overseas with a grain of salt, from what I have seen they have access to much better quality fabrics than we do. We had a joann's that sold wool, linen, cotton and the minute they bought out the competition, all we got was JUNK.
I love to reuse fabric from old clothing!!! I can hardly ever afford the fabric from quilt shops and don't have one near me anyway. I also have been given loads of fabric from people who no longer sew. Its not all pretty, but can be used. I'm also saving thrift store cotton shirts and my husband's old shirts to make a quilt some day. I've made several quilts with denim from my son's jeans that I love.
I'm also glad to hear that you don't prewash fabric. Some times I do prewash, but I don't really like to. I do wash the shirts from the thrift store though. :o)
My challenge is to use the fabric I have in my stash and not keep buying more at walmart!
don't know if you will ever read this as it's from last year...i've just discovered your blog and am looking through it because I LOVE EVERY PROJECT! we must be quilting taste twins. anyway, i agree with you, our great great grandmothers would probably roll over in their graves to see the amount of money spent on quilts these days. i use a variety of qualities and types in my quilts from the most expensive all the way to *gasp* Walmart clearance, or sheets or old curtains. i think it's more true to the tradition of quilting! more power to you! LOVE YOUR BLOG and follow it regularly! Thanks:)
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