Fabric Width
#1
Power Poster
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,660
Fabric Width
At one time, I "assumed" that all cotton fabrics were 44-45" wide. They aren't.
(So did some clerks/associates in some stores, for that matter - even when the end of the bolt said otherwise )
Anyway - check what the bolt end says for fabric width - and if you are a "wash before cutting" person - also check the width after you have washed the fabric and before you start cutting it.
This is more important if one does not have any "extra" fabric available and one needs to "plan ahead" before starting to cut.
(So did some clerks/associates in some stores, for that matter - even when the end of the bolt said otherwise )
Anyway - check what the bolt end says for fabric width - and if you are a "wash before cutting" person - also check the width after you have washed the fabric and before you start cutting it.
This is more important if one does not have any "extra" fabric available and one needs to "plan ahead" before starting to cut.
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Chula Vista CA
Posts: 7,402
Many years ago it was common to find fabric in a 36in. width. I know it was that way in the 70's because I still have some. When you looked at the patterns they gave you instructions on what to buy depending on the width of your fabric. Lately it's rather common to find it in 42in. width.
#3
I have not bought fabric that was 44-45 in a long time. Seems most is 40-42 now. I do have some fabric from the 70s that is 44-45" wide. I rarely use patterns, but have needed to make adjustments for a few that were figured for wider fabric and I could not get the required subcuts out of what they said. At least I was using stash, so had more than the pattern listed.
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,735
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This is me! The last quilt I made was a bit above my skill level and I made soooo many mistakes. I bought more fabric and still was squeezing the background out of what I had.
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Between the dashes of a tombstone
Posts: 12,716
The selvages are getting so wide. Those 70's fabrics Macybaby mentioned seldom had the manufacturer on it, and the selvage was very narrow as well. And yes I still have some, too.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 5,572
I always calculate for a 40" WOF plus buy more than I need for a given project. If it's for a focus fabric or background I'll overbuy as much as 1-2 yards. For borders/bindings than maybe .5-1 yd.
Even with this plan, I'm still waaaay short on fabric for my current project...sigh. Oh well, another trip to Lancaster in my relatively near term future, lol.
Even with this plan, I'm still waaaay short on fabric for my current project...sigh. Oh well, another trip to Lancaster in my relatively near term future, lol.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Ms Grace
Main
18
04-03-2009 07:07 PM