new fabric, shorter width
#21
To add to everyone else's comments: I noticed that some bolts are reading 42". I am a end-of-the bold reader. What I am wondering ----how does this affect patterns. Some patterns show right to the edges and I can't help wondering if the pattern industry is going to take this in consideration. Any patterns I've seen lately are still the standard.
#23
Super Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: My favorite place in the world is Lake Erie Region USA
Posts: 2,743
Thank you for the post , agree...surprised! My use was for a strip quilt, flag. I was greatful it was the nlue field so width required snd not red length! The bolt cardboard was the usual size! No clue there would be a differance.
#24
I haven't pre-washed quilt fabric for about 25 years. I did it once... I ended up with 'strings' all over the place and said enough was enough. I don't even wash reds or blacks. If the quilt is washed in cold water once it is complete, the chance that it will run is minimal. I have also never had to rewash, soak, or whatever. Does the cotton shrink? It might after a couple of cold washings because then I will wash with hot water. I do this for Amish style quilts where you want the shrinkage that is always there on an Amish quilt. But for the rest, I wash in cold water, have little shrinkage and no running of colors. Besides, what is the sense of washing all the sizing off, and then ironing with spray starch to get the 'hand' back?
Anita in Northfield, MN
Anita in Northfield, MN
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 976
A sign of the times for sure <very big sigh> I just think it would be polite to be informed by the companies. I don't like being surprised.
On the plus size, I walked down the soda asle at the grocery store and small bottles have returned. And cookie packages are getting less weighty...maybe we will all get thin! LOL
On the plus size, I walked down the soda asle at the grocery store and small bottles have returned. And cookie packages are getting less weighty...maybe we will all get thin! LOL
#27
The fabrics I choose are usually copyrighted in 2005. Old stock, it is still 44-45" wide. Candy bars made by Mars sre going to shrink, according to what was on the news a few weeks ago. I doubt the price will be lower. Companies are trying to keep their bottom line up and screw the buyers.
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Jozefow, Poland
Posts: 4,474
Just in every area, "buyer beware"...
#29
For a number of years now, I have assumed that usable width of fabric is 40", no matter what the end of the bolts reads. But, more recently I've been looking at the selvedges as well as what's listed on the bolt. I recently had a student who had fabric with selvedge printing that measured 1" on one side and holes extending 3/4" into the fabric on the other end. That's 1-3/4" of unusable fabric. Her actual usable fabric was 38-3/4". Because of this, she was unable to get the required number of sub-cut units per strip, had to cut extra strips and she had LOTS of "wasted" rectangle ends. She was lucky to have purchased LOTS of extra fabric because she really liked it.
Fabric requirements for newer patterns are usually based on 40" wide fabric, but it is always wise to check for sure. A number of years ago I would buy only what was called for on the pattern, but soon realized that all patterns and fabrics are not created equal. Until I become familiar with a specific designer and his/her "generosity" with fabric requirements, I always buy at least 1/4 yard extra. When I write patterns, I base them on 40" of usable fabric and throw in a bit extra to allow for frequent clean-up cuts, etc.
Fabric requirements for newer patterns are usually based on 40" wide fabric, but it is always wise to check for sure. A number of years ago I would buy only what was called for on the pattern, but soon realized that all patterns and fabrics are not created equal. Until I become familiar with a specific designer and his/her "generosity" with fabric requirements, I always buy at least 1/4 yard extra. When I write patterns, I base them on 40" of usable fabric and throw in a bit extra to allow for frequent clean-up cuts, etc.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tngal22
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
10
03-22-2012 08:39 AM
Lady Crafter
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
14
11-29-2010 09:07 AM
Ms Grace
Main
18
04-03-2009 07:07 PM