Quality fabrics...anyone?

[kjh9835]

I usually shop at JoAnn's for my fabrics, occasionally Hobby Lobby, rarely WalMart unless it's a quickie, cheap project as I've found most of their fabrics fade really badly. I have bought fabric online but it's been so long (and most still in stash), that I don't remember the sites. At JoAnn's, I wait for sales or use my coupons when I can to help cut costs whether it's for myself, family, gifting or selling.

I've found the quality is not near what it used to be. I buy an extra 1/4 yd usually just so I can straighten the edges and square it up but now I'm finding that sometimes that's not enough. I prewash in hot water, dry until damp then iron before folding to put up or use right away. Some are so off grain that I've thought about returning them esp if I've purchased multiple yards like for quilt backing that's 108" wide. Even the selvage edges are wavy. One piece I had to use only the middle and bought a twin sheet to use instead for the backing.

There's a quilt shop in Eville that I hope to visit soon. According to the prices on their site, fabric is $8/yd and up, no coupons, no sales. That's not unreasonable but if it's not any better quality, why pay that much more?

Kathy

[HeyJudee]

I'm sure I won't help much...but I usually buy at our LQS and pay anywhere between $15-$20 (CDN) / metre (3" more than a yd). If there is a sale it is usually 15% off. I sometimes buy at Fabricland or Fabricville which is really the only other major fabric store that we have. Prices for quilting cottons are now getting up there too...$10-$15/metre. But they have a club card and have sales on periodically where you can buy 1 metre and get 2 free. But it is usually only certain things that are on special each month. Tomorrow is their big sale here...so I will probably be visiting to see what they have. Xmas fabric is 75% off...but I don't really need anything. The quality at Fabricland isn't usually as good as the LQS...but it is better than what I've seen at JoAnn's.

I've purchased on-line occasionally when I need something specific...but even $8 (US) is a bargain for me. Some places that I've purchased from are...(but not recently since I'm trying not to buy any more as I have lotssss)

Fabric Depot - http://www.fabricdepot.com
Fabric Shack - http://www.fabricshack.com

I always check their shipping costs before ordering cause some sites charge a flat rate vs the actual shipping costs...and shipping to Canada can be expensive.

[Mom of Six]

I buy all my fabric @ JoAnns or WalMart. I have found that unless I am buying from the bargain table the quality is the same. I try to watch when they are laying it out to cut & usually if it is really off grain I can get them to straighten it a little before they cut. The only other place we have to buy fabric is Hobby Lobby & a local Quilt shop that I never visit.

[LeapFrog Libby]

If you will check the selvedge edge on some of thee fabrics, I bet you would find that all these stores carry the same goods. Some of the manufacturers are good and some are not, just like everything else. I have never in my life had a Cranston PrintWorks fabric to fade, be off grain, or have any flaw at all in the fabric. Hoffman is another good brand. I hate to say this because it is a southern co. but, Springs cottons sometimes shrink a little. I have not found any fading in them, though. Whoever makes Daisy Kingdom fabrics does a good job also. Now I could go to a quilt shop and pay %8, a yard for any of those, but get a mid-range price for the same thing at Hancocks, and at WalMart, I find it at a lower price if they have it. That is the thing with WalMart, they buy odd lots sometimes and the variety is not as vast as some other shops.I always look at the MFR> name when I am buying fabric.

[bridesmom]

My favorite on line place ishttp://www.thousandsofbolts.com/index.cfm?&redirect=yes Her prices are $4-6 a yard, and her quality has not let me down yet, it's all well known designers and she sorts by color/ design/ manufacturer, easy site to get around. Another one I love is http://www.connectingthreads.com/Quilting.cfm. Their fabric is their own line, but it seems to be nice enough. And it's also around $4-7 . I save Joanns for batting, thread, interfacing, basic stuff, and the rest is on line.

[MartySews2]

If I'm going to buy online, I'll order from Vogue Fabrics in the Chicago area or from Sawyer Brook Fabrics or even Fabric Mart. There is a local shop that I can get quality cottons & linens so I seldom order online. I do not like to wear cotton at all so rarely ever buy that. Polyester blends & knits I can find at my local Hancock Fabrics or Jo-Ann's. I usually spend about $12-$15 a yard for fabric. If I'm going to invest the time sewing, I want a quality product.
Marty

[kjh9835]

I'll take a look at those sites, thanks. One that I know I've bought from is equilter but it's been a long time ago. The brown fabric that I bought for the backing/binding on the other two baby quilts had a flaw across it so I wasted about 1/3 of a yard and now I don't have enough for both so I'll have to go back and get more next weekend. But I did use it for practice quilting on the 201 so all was not lost.

Kathy

[DorothyL]

If I'm going to buy online, I'll order from Vogue Fabrics in the Chicago area

Marty, I have been buying fabric from them since before there was an "online." If you have questions you can call about the fabric and they are so helpful. If you need something special they go and look for it. I love them.

Dorothy

[bridesmom]

I like equilter, but I do find I can find the same fabric for less dollars if I take the time to search for it.

[pinecone]

Bear Paw Quilting http://www.bearpawquilting.com/
The Best Kept Secret http://www.thebestkeptsecret.com/
Big Horn Quilts http://www.bighornquilts.com/
Clotilde http://www.clotilde.com/
Connecting Threads http://www.connectingthreads.com/default.aspx
Craft Connection http://www.craftconn.com/
Discount Embroidery Supply http://www.discountembroiderysupply.com/
e-Quilter http://www.equilter.com/
Fabric Depot http://www.fabricdepot.com/ <- warning.... they have a sale usually the first Friday and Saturday of the month .
The Fabric Garden http://www.fabricgarden.com/
Fabric Shack http://www.fabricshack.com/
Flannel World http://www.flannelworld.com/
Hanc*c*ks of Paducah http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/ <- they have good prices on rotary blades in large packs and check the sales.
Honey Fork Fabrics http://www.honeyforkfabrics.com/
Keepsake Quilting http://www.keepsakequilting.com/ <- if you live close to them, their yearly sale is grrrreat.
Nancy’s Notions http://www.nancysnotions.com/
Newark Dressmaker http://www.newarkdress.com/ <- they have good prices on Organ sewing machine needles.
Thousands of Bolts http://www.thousandsofbolts.com/
The Stitchin Post http://www.stitchinpost.com/

To search for a fabric http://www.quiltshops.com/search.htm/

These are for quilting fabrics for the most part. I agree, some manufacturers also send to big box type stores but the goods are a different quality. I also get miffed with some stores pricing as it is set to allow for their 40% off coupons and sales. If you feel the goods, then those at a LQS....big difference. At my WM the price for Warm & Natural is but pennies higher than that at JA's at 40%off. Off my soapbox now.

piney