Fabric weight
#1
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How does everyone determine if a fabric is too thin to use in a quilt? I have been doing a lot of buying and trading recently and I have a stack of fabric and scraps that I am not sure about.
I would love to hear what others do.
Thanks for the input.
I would love to hear what others do.
Thanks for the input.
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Piedmont Virginia in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns.
Posts: 8,562
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I have fabric from my beginning quilting days 30 years ago. Much of this was apparently made in the USA in those days, and, to me, has a more substantial feel than some fabrics do today. When in doubt over a new piece, I compare the feel to those older ones.
Jan in VA
Jan in VA
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MO (the Show Me state)
Posts: 2,947
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when you look at a piece of fabric through some good light you can usually see the weave and if there is a lot or little space between the threads. when you are trading fabrics it's hard to control the quality you get in return but when you purchase fabrics, the quality you buy is all up to you. most all of my fabrics are lqs quality, i refuse to buy thin fabrics. i have received some fabrics (in trading) so thin i can't help but wonder where these fabrics are being purchased. i was discussing this in my lqs today.
interfacing thin fabrics is certainly an option. whether you feel it is worth it is up to you. i had received some dyed ethnic fabrics from overseas that was loosely woven but i am familiar with this type weave so i have started interfacing them for use. the small pieces i may receive in trade are not worth my time to interface for quilt use so i find other projects for them. i was tossing them in the trash at one time but not any more.
i am trading fabric squares with 2 different online groups with several international swappers so i don't know yet what quality i will be getting. but if i get some thin pieces i really like and want to put in my psq's i will surely interface them.
interfacing thin fabrics is certainly an option. whether you feel it is worth it is up to you. i had received some dyed ethnic fabrics from overseas that was loosely woven but i am familiar with this type weave so i have started interfacing them for use. the small pieces i may receive in trade are not worth my time to interface for quilt use so i find other projects for them. i was tossing them in the trash at one time but not any more.
i am trading fabric squares with 2 different online groups with several international swappers so i don't know yet what quality i will be getting. but if i get some thin pieces i really like and want to put in my psq's i will surely interface them.
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Last edited by Havplenty; 07-07-2012 at 07:20 PM.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,312
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I carry a piece of high quality with me , and do the feel test . Sometimes its very apparent , like you can read the newspaper through it. Sometimes its made to appear subtantial with finishes.. so its it too stiff for the thickness of the fabric.
#8
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Thank you for all your suggestions. I did try interfacing, but then the piece seemed too thick. I thought I used the thinnest interfacing. Maybe I will just give the pieces to Goodwill.
#9
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,581
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The bottom line is - what is the fabric intended for?
I have some thin, see-through tightly woven cotton fabric that I bought for a baptismal gown - the fabric was $12.00 a yard 25 years ago!
It is difficult to put in words exactly what we mean - I think of Kona cottons as 'beefy/sturdy/coarse' - compared to many of the other 'quilting cottons' I have.
I like to put similar 'weight/weave' fabrics in one top. It probably doesn't make that much difference in the long run, but it's what I prefer to do.
A lot of the woven cotton fabrics that were used for aprons and housedresses (1940-1960) seem to be appropriate for use in quilts now.
I have some thin, see-through tightly woven cotton fabric that I bought for a baptismal gown - the fabric was $12.00 a yard 25 years ago!
It is difficult to put in words exactly what we mean - I think of Kona cottons as 'beefy/sturdy/coarse' - compared to many of the other 'quilting cottons' I have.
I like to put similar 'weight/weave' fabrics in one top. It probably doesn't make that much difference in the long run, but it's what I prefer to do.
A lot of the woven cotton fabrics that were used for aprons and housedresses (1940-1960) seem to be appropriate for use in quilts now.
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