JLD

I am new to quilting but my mom has been doing it forever. She said the same thing you were told. She says that she can find fabric in the quilting stores for about what Joann's is charging for theirs. My rule of thumb - I bought from the quilting store for the quilt that I wanted to last forever (not saying that I couldn't have done it with Joann's just used mom's rule of thumb) and I have used the Joann's or Walmart for baby quilts I have made for friends, and will use them for the quilts for my teens as they have great sales. But I think I will listen to others that have commented and do the feel test. Just my thoughts

katsewnsew

When I first started quilting, I would buy any fabric that I liked as far as the print, be it WalMart, JoAnn or LQS. BUT, when I really got into quilting big time, I sold all my cheaper (which you can definitely tell the difference) fabrics on eBay and only stick with the good quality fabrics. There are sooo many quilt shops online and auction places that you can get excellent quilt fabrics for $3-to $9 per yard. Look for sales, just because the fabric is last year's collection, doesn't mean it is no good. I very seldom buy fabrics at $6 yd or more. Too much competition out there, you can find a great bargain! Many Free Shipping offers, too. I used to work at JoAnn's and their prices have really gone up. They are so-s0, but I think I will stick with the good stuff.

ddrobins1956

Wow, if I didn't buy from Wallmart , I wouldn't be able to make as many projects. I also have a few favorite online sites that I buy from too. I've been a bit dissapointed in Joanne's lately, but I use the coupons for notions and buy my warm and natural there when it's on sale.

deranged_damsel

dont worry about it. there is no RIGHT way to quilt!
my mother and I used to ONLY recover existing blankets with new tops and backing, then she recieved whole bagfulls of sewing factory coat fabric remenants!!! so we made quilts with that! MOST of my first quilts where made with sleeping bag liner fabric as backing! we also used sheets as backing.... come to find out its a BIG no no in the quilting world... but ask me if I care?
all of these quilts are still going strong, and they where soooooo fun to make!
Advice for beginers is... match your products to your skill level! expensive fabric does not magically line up the seams for you :) buy something cheaper to start and work your way up as you get better
my two cents ;)

4dogs

I am often buying and using, for the backing, good used sheets from the thrift stores......I look very closely at the sheets, to be sure they are not faded, not stained, no holes, etc.......and often, I find sheets that are in very good shape, and they make pretty backings. I dont do hand quilting, but for the machine, they work just fine. Most of the stores sell them for around $2.00 regardless of the size (twin, king, whatever, same price) so that is a LOT of fabric for the price, and usually its good fabric, and good colors and etc. Just thought I would mention this, for those of us who are on tight budgets and MUST have the fabrics to keep on quilting !

lbosma

Great discussion! The feel test is the key. I was told years ago that "anybody can get fabric printed as long as the run meets the factory's minimum." Seems like the minimum was 2000 yards. The "gray goods," the quality of the fabric that is printed on is where we get into Walmart/JoAnns vs LQS quality fabrics. While in Sacramento in the late 90's Beverly's had zillions of Thimbleberries prints on flannel. The print was on the wrong side of the flannel (less fluffy side) and these were prints that were never released by Thimbleberries in flannel. I buy what I like, fabrics that pass the feel test and give the impression they will hold up. If I am making an "heirloom" I test any suspicious fabric a number of ways: Rub it while both wet and dry with a white cloth to see if color comes off; place a swatch in the car window to see if it fades; press a measured swatch to see if it shrinks unreasonably; wash and dry a measured swatch to see if it shrinks unreasonably and rub it against itself to see if it pills or sheds. The majority of my quilting is for charity and we receive generous donations of all kinds. Where possible we try to honor the gift by using it, if it doesn't pass our muster we try to donate it on where it can be used for crafts instead.

yesyoucan

this is my first reply,I was under the impression jo anns fabric was very good?I am blessed to have an affordable fabrics where I live and pay only 1.99 a yard,the only draw back is I never have enough cash,they have soooo much.

deranged_damsel

In MY opinion... Joann is great for MOST things it is perfect! works great! if your quilting for fun use walmart/joann fabric its worth it :)
if your quilting for show or to last a lifetime DONT! instead buy the best you can get.

again my two cents

Sewslow

The "Nose Looker-Downers" sound like ladies who took lessons at LQS to learn to quilt. I'm equally addicted to quilting books and fabric.

evevanna

I buy most of my material at Wal mart & have been VERY VERY satisfied with it, my quilts are used every day & in the wash a lot no fading nor fraying. They do carry some flimsy material but if you check it out by feel & look close at it, you can get some real bargains. I even buy the $1.50 a yard fabric & have been happy with that, also made a quilt with that & it is just as bright as when I made it 2 years ago & that is one of the quilts thats in the wash alot, so don't knock it til you try it especially in this economy. just feel it, & look at it carefully. I think you'll find alot you will like & want to use.