bearisgray

I had a robert kaufman from 1985 that was only 42 inches wide. A lot of the so-called better brands have been 40-42 inches wide for decades.

I learned the hard way to check fabric widths!,

scrapinmema

I think they are getting thinner... picked up 3 different fabrics at my LQS this week and when I got home really looked at them they are thin enough you can see through them. All different manufactures.

tessagin

I look at the end of the bolt to see how wide the fabric is out of curiosity. Often I see 40 instead of 42. Why I buy more than a yard at a time or atleast add a 1/4 yd to my required length. The extra helps with after pre-washing and shrinkage to make sure I have plenty.

oh munner

I believe you're right, fabric is much thinner than it used to be. Seems that this is the result of the cotton crop problem from a couple of years ago. The problem has been resolved, but fabric is still very thin, and, of course, the prices are still increasing. As with everything else, we're paying more for poorer quality products.

Onebyone

I have some vintage cotton fabric from the 50 and 60's. Boy is there a difference! The feel and drape of the older fabric makes the new fabric seem like tissue paper.

sewingsuz

I also have noticed the difference and I am glad I have a stash because I would not be able to afford the prices they want. All the fabric I have is pretty nice and feels like good quality. If it is doubled on the bolt, you have to be sure and take one layer and feel it.

susan_m

I agree, the fabric is thinner, the weave is more open. I have compared my Moda fabric of years gone by (stash) to recent purchase and the quality has changed.... and not to the better. The cost has skyrocketed. Like everything else these, quality has gone done and the price has gone up.

Geri B

....or their profit margin high.....

I still don't understand why fab is so much more expensive outside of the u.s.

LyndaOH

I'm not finding that to be true at all. The manufacturers I mostly buy are Moda, Robert Kaufman's Kona, Marcus and Northcott. I haven't seen any difference. They're all nice and thick and feel soft in my hand. There's no way I could see through any of them.

If you are not experiencing the same thing, you should get in touch with the manufacturers (they all have websites with contact info) and let them know what you've observed. Perhaps they'll ask for a sample and be able to identify and fix the problem.

I'd be willing to bet that the only thing they place above making profits is keeping their customers happy. The only way they can make the profits they do is to have customers purchase their products.

Stitchit123

I am working on a quilt of Sunflowers. I bought the fabrics about 5 yrs ago. I changed my mind on the pattern so now I need more of the solid brown. I took swatches of all the fabrics just in case Waverly changed the brown. The color is a dead match but it is a lot thinner. I think I'll have to double it for the binding-thank goodness that's all I needed it for. They still have the same sunflower fabric and it is thinner but not as bad as the solids.