irishrose

I bought some VIP fabric from WalMart yesterday. I have a hard time with lqs prices for quilts to be given away. It is not the same as the VIP fabric I handled when I worked for JoAnn's in the early '90s. After washing and drying, there is nothing there. It wouldn't straighten, so I went to pull a thread. The thread is too flimsy to pull. Luckily, it's just for sashing - the big squares are Moda and the bright strips are quality fabric from my stash.

I want to embroider the sashing strips, but I think this stuff (hard to call it fabric) will stretch if I do. Do you think I should use iron on interfacing or just using paper backing then tear it away would work better?

sherriequilts

maybe you should put some fusible backing on this fabric. kind of negates the point of buying less expensive material, but when putting it with Moda etc, it might be a good idea. I am not an expert by any means, just had to share this thought that flittered through my wee little mind! All the best with your quilt. :)

Quilter7x

Iron on interfacing is a great idea. I sometimes use that when I feel a fabric is too flimsy.

About 10 years ago, my quilting group visited the plant that makes VIP fabrics. They are Cranston Print Works and their factory used to be in Webster, Mass. Our quilt group went on a couple of tours there and they were wonderful people. It fascinated me to see how they receive huge bolts of muslin, dye it and print it on these big metal (maybe copper) cylindars. After the tour, they always gave us lunch and some fabric to take home (usually a pillow panel or two). One of the things they told us is that they make an exclusive line of fabric for WalMart, called VIP fabric. Unfortunately, they couldn't keep up and had to off-shore their business, so Cranston Print Works fabric is now made in another country.

As far as the fabric being flimsy, I have seen flimsy fabric no matter where I shop - the LQS, JoAnn's or WM. Just go with what you want to have. Sometimes there's a color or pattern that I just have to have even though it's thin fabric. That's where the interfacing comes in.

Good luck and please share pictures. :thumbup:

hobo2000

If it's that flimsy, I would add a iron-on backing and leave it at that. I bought some last week that matched a piece I had in my stash but it definitely was not the same. Same pattern but a step up from cheesecloth. Good Luck.

bearisgray

If that "stuff" is that flimsy - I would not put it with "good" fabrics -

They probably wouldn't wear the same - and then the new owner will have worn out spots.

Hmmm - Most of the VIP fabrics I've purchased at WalMart seem to be nice/decent/good.

There have been some VIPs that I considered "coarse" - but then I think some of the Alexander Henry fabrics are too coarse for my taste.

irishrose

I think after I cut my strips, I will try an embroidery sample on a scrap with both interfacing and paper and decide which to use. The fabric isn't horrible. It will hold up well enough or I wouldn't use it. The color is perfect and for me, it's all about color.

I need to finish binding the one on the machine, vaccuum the floors and put away the scraps before I make a cut on the new one. Such is life.

Candace

I could swear I've seen "VIP" for sale from other places besides WM... I would use this fabric for something else if it's a concern. If it doesn't match the fabric quality of the rest of the quilt, maybe find a use for it another day.

quiltingaz

I know from experience that combining thinner fabric with good is not good. My DH's quilt had the sashing shred while the squares are still good.

np3

When I hear things like this it reminds me why I buy collections and over buy them as well. I want the weight to be the same so the whole quilt wears the same. Good luck with using this. Trying out a small piece first is a good idea.

Jan in VA

In my opinion, as long as we keep buying this "stuff" (man, I want to use a more intense word!), they'll keep producing and offering it to us.

Jan in VA