tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post5918578117418157713..comments2024-03-25T23:42:12.771-05:00Comments on crazy mom quilts: i have issuesAmanda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06311818385469850186noreply@blogger.comBlogger286125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-33962052599980415462010-06-05T12:23:25.753-05:002010-06-05T12:23:25.753-05:00don't know if you will ever read this as it...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:)Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06708141774246983589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-56646053171723525532009-09-17T11:32:03.320-05:002009-09-17T11:32:03.320-05:00I love to reuse fabric from old clothing!!! I can...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.<br /><br />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)<br /><br />My challenge is to use the fabric I have in my stash and not keep buying more at walmart!Debbie Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01610913789958390802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-13797391680904525812009-09-16T20:24:56.650-05:002009-09-16T20:24:56.650-05:00Isn't using up bits and pieces and old shirts ...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.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-80990315149373777182009-09-15T10:15:07.789-05:002009-09-15T10:15:07.789-05:00I use whatever I can get. I've been collecting...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. <br />Courtneybookflutterbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12426712911284917236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-60813952308941164652009-09-11T13:56:15.987-05:002009-09-11T13:56:15.987-05:00I started reading this thread with an opinion, but...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.Dianenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-3963661332225201022009-09-10T19:03:28.424-05:002009-09-10T19:03:28.424-05:00Amen! Do what you can, when you can :)Amen! Do what you can, when you can :)elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11525948248348643595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-65703841979600807112009-09-08T18:01:33.264-05:002009-09-08T18:01:33.264-05:00interesting, though i'm late to comment. i...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.jacquiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07362229673390519468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-52366223811261773782009-09-08T08:39:15.086-05:002009-09-08T08:39:15.086-05:00I loved reading all the comments!
I worked at JoA...I loved reading all the comments!<br /><br />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. <br />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.Triciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16481408039327347645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-57721950802374332612009-09-07T18:56:45.536-05:002009-09-07T18:56:45.536-05:00Okay, here is my story... years ago as a new quilt...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!"Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12725022029753732338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-84061350076330078862009-09-06T09:38:10.724-05:002009-09-06T09:38:10.724-05:00The first quilt I made was out of scraps and inclu...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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Miss Marti from CaliforniaUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05869962033312645044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-49576325397524199542009-09-05T21:40:40.796-05:002009-09-05T21:40:40.796-05:0021 years ago, when I was 15 and started quilting, ...21 years ago, when I was 15 and started quilting, we used "the cheap stuff". The quilts faded and fell apart.<br /><br />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).<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />There you go! ;)SuzyQSparkleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-68716167497471238002009-09-05T18:03:19.867-05:002009-09-05T18:03:19.867-05:00I am quickly learning that i need to do both. Some...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!Brandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08127067375701755256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-8595114792465280042009-09-05T15:50:39.035-05:002009-09-05T15:50:39.035-05:00Wow - what a response you are getting! Bottom lin...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. <br /><br />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!Reginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06180104163495530405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-1657642468211844112009-09-05T00:03:03.704-05:002009-09-05T00:03:03.704-05:00I actually read through all the comments! Whew!
M...I actually read through all the comments! Whew!<br /><br />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). <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />/off soapbox now!<br /><br />And what's the hot button topic for next week? ;-)Collettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11118664654134825732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-56274691772571539852009-09-04T22:01:27.535-05:002009-09-04T22:01:27.535-05:00Lordy, I think you hit a hot button for a lot of p...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? <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.otterdaughterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06806080751771115048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-60954291336430087262009-09-04T18:49:23.713-05:002009-09-04T18:49:23.713-05:00*whew* Actually read through every comment and a ...*whew* Actually read through every comment and a lot of it is thought-provoking.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.nanannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15960436233712661599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-19589619816804100452009-09-04T17:39:55.617-05:002009-09-04T17:39:55.617-05:00In Australia the designer fabrics cost around A$24...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.thornberryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503174766017894067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-29293055948369948212009-09-04T16:58:15.762-05:002009-09-04T16:58:15.762-05:00Whoa, immense amount of comments here. My two cent...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.msalleycathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14638319811989196392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-26167049594175149312009-09-04T12:26:08.507-05:002009-09-04T12:26:08.507-05:00Honestly, as much as I love quilt shop designer fa...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.Erin Dukehttp://www.erindukephotography.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-41636972141125516652009-09-04T10:39:01.752-05:002009-09-04T10:39:01.752-05:00By the way, my neighbor just gave me some fabrics ...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! <br /><br />PS: now I have a blog too!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-1107328498479796882009-09-04T10:38:36.883-05:002009-09-04T10:38:36.883-05:00Two hundred and fifty plus replies in a couple of ...Two hundred and fifty plus replies in a couple of days - I would say you have touched a nerve.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />I wash all fabric before using it. Where do I get it from - anywhere - and I use poly cottons - that's me an outcast!!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />It's quilts we are making, not bedding for the Queen!!!Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12404265296554666518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-10870858584965736242009-09-04T10:19:32.686-05:002009-09-04T10:19:32.686-05:00Amen to that! I do use a mix of both, I love some...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. ;)Lindseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18416223589419822348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-80930229513023472982009-09-04T10:05:48.586-05:002009-09-04T10:05:48.586-05:00I pride myself on finding fabric at the joanne'...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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />I'm with you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-7146339123243327922009-09-04T09:57:46.271-05:002009-09-04T09:57:46.271-05:00Well, I really wasn't going to add another com...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:<br /><br />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! <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.<br />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.Judyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14059454522337423829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37018101.post-37630825893384367962009-09-04T09:42:00.217-05:002009-09-04T09:42:00.217-05:00I don't have much money (being a full-time stu...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! <br /><br />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! <br /><br />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! <br /><br />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.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00927962338493112743noreply@blogger.com