Let Us Teach About Fabric Quality
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Manchester, NH
Posts: 701
Very thought provoking. From now on I will look for the quality fabric no matter what store I am in and buy that. Also I will remember there is good and bad in all the stores that sell fabric and will check the fabric itself before I buy. I will remember the ultimate responsibility for buying quality fabric is up to ME!!! Thank you for your post.
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Outer Space
Posts: 9,319
I get exhausted reading the posts bashing stores for the quality of their fabric.
Instead.....lets teach how to determine the quality of fabric.
Fabric quality/availability has changed in the past couple years. Factories have closed; base fabric is being made almost exclusively overseas and it is becoming difficult (I imagine) for our favorite companies to get the quality they want. Lets face it, we may never have the quality and price we became accustomed to in the past.
I wanted to make a quilt using 6 different prints in shades and patterns in PINK. The quilt was being given for use as a throw on a couch and the circumstances were that I didn't want to spend a lot of money on the fabric.
The only place I could find the fabric at a price I could afford was at the chain fabric store.
Within the 6 fabrics, there was a distinct difference in the feel of each fabric. However, after washing, ironing, sewing and cutting - the final product was certainly satisfactory. I have old quilts that were used, washed and used for years; have differences in quality and being all cotton are still good. Faded but still holding up.
I saw an interview recently on tv in which the interviewee said "We may not be able to control the circumstances but we can control how we react to them". Or something like that.
So.......all this is to say.
We have to live with the current fabric situation.
We have to be able to make our own decision about using the fabric that is available and the price we can pay.
And I would hope stop saying "only fabric available at certain sources" should be used in our quilts. Rather, advise other quilters about those circumstances to watch in using various qualities.
I like to remember to "respect the nature of the fabric" and act accordingly.
I hope no one takes offense to my rambling this morning. I try never to tell my students or other quilters that they are wrong but rather advise based on my experiences how they might react to the situation and the end results.
Instead.....lets teach how to determine the quality of fabric.
Fabric quality/availability has changed in the past couple years. Factories have closed; base fabric is being made almost exclusively overseas and it is becoming difficult (I imagine) for our favorite companies to get the quality they want. Lets face it, we may never have the quality and price we became accustomed to in the past.
I wanted to make a quilt using 6 different prints in shades and patterns in PINK. The quilt was being given for use as a throw on a couch and the circumstances were that I didn't want to spend a lot of money on the fabric.
The only place I could find the fabric at a price I could afford was at the chain fabric store.
Within the 6 fabrics, there was a distinct difference in the feel of each fabric. However, after washing, ironing, sewing and cutting - the final product was certainly satisfactory. I have old quilts that were used, washed and used for years; have differences in quality and being all cotton are still good. Faded but still holding up.
I saw an interview recently on tv in which the interviewee said "We may not be able to control the circumstances but we can control how we react to them". Or something like that.
So.......all this is to say.
We have to live with the current fabric situation.
We have to be able to make our own decision about using the fabric that is available and the price we can pay.
And I would hope stop saying "only fabric available at certain sources" should be used in our quilts. Rather, advise other quilters about those circumstances to watch in using various qualities.
I like to remember to "respect the nature of the fabric" and act accordingly.
I hope no one takes offense to my rambling this morning. I try never to tell my students or other quilters that they are wrong but rather advise based on my experiences how they might react to the situation and the end results.
Those who prefer to buy LQS fabric are called snobs and those that don't buy from their LQS get offended and feel judged. Hurt feelings all around and really nothing good comes from the threads. IMO.
Last edited by Candace; 12-09-2011 at 08:46 AM.
#26
just like everything else.... there is good quality in "name brands" and there is poor quality in " name brands".
I pick up the best fabrics where I can at the best prices I can.....
Many of my fabrics are donated at well... ( Bless everyone that donates fabrics to my American Veterans Project!!)
I have received some fabrics that were not of the best qualities... or prehaps were repurposed and have small stains.... I put those a side to use as foundation fabrics for crazy quilt blocks and for practicing FMQ.... rarely does ANYTHING go to waste....... I even save my crumbs/clippings/threads for stuffings for soft toys for the little ones....
I pick up the best fabrics where I can at the best prices I can.....
Many of my fabrics are donated at well... ( Bless everyone that donates fabrics to my American Veterans Project!!)
I have received some fabrics that were not of the best qualities... or prehaps were repurposed and have small stains.... I put those a side to use as foundation fabrics for crazy quilt blocks and for practicing FMQ.... rarely does ANYTHING go to waste....... I even save my crumbs/clippings/threads for stuffings for soft toys for the little ones....
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,586
Good for you Holice! As my mother used to say, "You say it while I pat my foot!" I too buy from anywhere that I like the look and feel of the fabric which includes Walmart, Hobby Lobby, my local LQS and online (although I've been fooled shopping online because the colors on my monitor didn't match the actual fabrics).
#30
What were those well loved quilts made of years ago? Certainly not $12 a yd fabric from a LQS. Please just use whatever you like and make whatever you can afford. No need to make people feel bad about their choices. I won't be here in 50 yrs or even maybe tomorrow so why get too serious about it.
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10-06-2010 05:43 PM