javin22

The last time I bought 36" wide fabric was in the early 70's

ckcowl

there are still 36" wide fabrics out there- and even some that are only 30" wide...and i heard a rumor that some manufactureres are starting to print 30-36" wide fabrics again- always check the width on the end of the bolt- i have seen cotton prints in widths from 30"- to 56"...the norm may be 40-44" but it is not the rule.

plainpat

Looks like someone started cutting squares for a quilt.Denim is very heavy, you might want to invest in a denim needle.I love utility quilts you know will be used & it's one of my fav things about sofa throws.At least in our home & DDs...they get a ton of use.

pippa

My understanding is that 36" wide is dressmaking fabric. I can still get it in the shops here. Make sure you wash it as it may shrink more than quilting fabric. This used to be a standard width for cottons. Looms were smaller in the past.
BTW very pretty fabrics
Pippa

quiltmaker

Seems like there are a lot of us that remember the 36" wide fabrics....nothing wrong with them it's just the way it was back then. I have heard as some other members that you can still purchase that length in some fabrics. You got a great find.!

FERSID

Could they be broadcloth? Here in Canada it's usually 36" wide and come in a vast array of colours - generally solids.

It is almost always 100% cotton but has a slightly different weave to it and is usually not as thick (lower thread count per inch) as quilting fabric, but none-the-less can be used in quilts.

The great thing is it washes and irons up like a breeze, and is pretty much colour-fast and compared to other fabrics usually costs much less per yard/meter.

There's nothing wrong with using broadcloth for quilts (although SOME PEOPLE), lol get quite bent out of shape when you mention using it. It all depends on the finished look you wish to achieve.

Any way whether it's broadcloth or not, looks like you got a really good deal - happy quilting. :lol: :lol: :lol:

redmadder

Fabric content test: Cut a very small piece, maybe 1 inch by 1/4 inch. Hold with tweezers, light it on fire. (best do this over the sink).

Black smoke and a hard ash mean its synthetic or a blend. Smells like plastic burning.

Gray smoke and a fine, soft ash mean its plant fiber. And the smell of burning cotton is very distinctive.

piepatch

For many years, fabrics were only 36" wide, but were later made to be 44"-45" wide (I think they often fall a little shy of 44"-45" now). If your fabric is only 36" wide, it is probably quite old, at least if it was made in this country. I don't know exactly when the wider fabrics came in, but they have been around for a long time.

adeline

Not unusual if you are as old as I am! Yup, at least 40 years ago. And you got more threads per square inch back then!

Stitchnripper

Great find. I clearly remember 36" wide fabric from "days of yore"