Fabric quality at chain stores
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 5,052
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I always buy good quality cotton fabric for my quilts. Not because Im a snob or the quilt police, but because I put alot of work into my quilts. I like to use patterns that are challenging, so that means more work. When it comes out of the washer and dryer I want it to look like it did when it went in. Purchasing good quality fabrics assures that.
#12
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
clsurz is actually right. I worked for House of Fabrics in the "old" days and most of the fabrics were seconds. I am very careful to check the quality of the fabric at the chain stores. You want to buy the best quality fabric if you are going to put all your time and effort into making a quilt, even for the dog !!!
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: NC
Posts: 192
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
How do you know when something is seconds? And what exactly does seconds mean in the fabric world? The print is off? The colors aren't quite right?
And other than checking to see how opaque a fabric is, and that it feels good... any tips for selecting the good stuff when shopping at a chain? I haven't bought too much fabric from the chains yet (only been quilting a few months) but I did notice when I prewashed some flannels I bought from Hancock, the edges frayed much worse than flannels purchased at LQSs. The stuff from Hancock also seemed thinner, and pilled up quite a bit after multiple washings. And a few of the cottons I have worked with from Hancock and JoAnn seem to fray more easily.
And other than checking to see how opaque a fabric is, and that it feels good... any tips for selecting the good stuff when shopping at a chain? I haven't bought too much fabric from the chains yet (only been quilting a few months) but I did notice when I prewashed some flannels I bought from Hancock, the edges frayed much worse than flannels purchased at LQSs. The stuff from Hancock also seemed thinner, and pilled up quite a bit after multiple washings. And a few of the cottons I have worked with from Hancock and JoAnn seem to fray more easily.
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 5,896
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Believe it or not, some of the best flannel I've found, came from WalMart! I don't know whether or not they still carry it but it was called 'Super Flannel' and was much heavier than the regular stuff. I only saw it, in solids.
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,312
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I was in Jo'anns on Sunday. I did buy some Kona. The woman cutting asked my If I knew about the new quilt shop not too far from JA's. I said I was headed there next. It was interesting her next comment was ." the Keepsake fabris keep getting to be a lower quality every few months" she then said " I work her but now I won't buy most of the quilters fabrics".
When even the staff is open about the loss of quality ... Inspect carefully.
When even the staff is open about the loss of quality ... Inspect carefully.
#16
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
How do you know when something is seconds? And what exactly does seconds mean in the fabric world? The print is off? The colors aren't quite right?
And other than checking to see how opaque a fabric is, and that it feels good... any tips for selecting the good stuff when shopping at a chain? I haven't bought too much fabric from the chains yet (only been quilting a few months) but I did notice when I prewashed some flannels I bought from Hancock, the edges frayed much worse than flannels purchased at LQSs. The stuff from Hancock also seemed thinner, and pilled up quite a bit after multiple washings. And a few of the cottons I have worked with from Hancock and JoAnn seem to fray more easily.
And other than checking to see how opaque a fabric is, and that it feels good... any tips for selecting the good stuff when shopping at a chain? I haven't bought too much fabric from the chains yet (only been quilting a few months) but I did notice when I prewashed some flannels I bought from Hancock, the edges frayed much worse than flannels purchased at LQSs. The stuff from Hancock also seemed thinner, and pilled up quite a bit after multiple washings. And a few of the cottons I have worked with from Hancock and JoAnn seem to fray more easily.
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Iowa
Posts: 2,341
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I was surprised when we went out West done shopping in SD at Walmart they have a fabulous selection and good quality I even mentioned it to the man cutting my fabric that I was so amazed at the selection he said they have a big demand for fabric alot of their customers make their own clothing. I go by feel if I like the way it feels I get it. You even find inferior fabrics at the quilt stores.
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 2,509
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Thank you!!! To each their own...I'm not a fabric snob...I buy what I like, where I can find it. No judging!!
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mabank, Texas
Posts: 8,780
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have purchased fabric from chain stores and have had very good results with it. Just make sure you check out the weight and type of fabric before you purchase it. It needs to be heavy enough that you can't see through it
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Parchment, Mi
Posts: 183
![Default](/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Forty years ago, when I first started quilting I did it all by hand and JoAnn's was the only place to purchase fabric where I lived. The quilts I made and put so much work into are still around, but they don't look too good. The fabric was sub-standard even then. I just didn't know it! I do still use those quilts for picnics and such, though. And I learned a lot before I realized there were much better quilt fabrics available.
Last edited by lockesnest; 10-22-2013 at 03:32 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
carslo
Pictures
28
10-25-2012 11:36 AM
craftybear
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
63
08-28-2010 10:23 AM