Submitted by: Gloria Massard(119) Sew a Quilt Log in to become a member of Gloria Massard's Fan Club!
When I shop for quilting fabrics, I'm in heaven. To me, it's an exciting part of
quilting. But I didn't always feel this way. As a beginner, I thought all
fabrics were created equally. If it looked great on the bolt, I bought
it.
I put this notion to rest after I washed my "discount" fabrics for
the first time. By cycle's end, I had a load of frayed and twisted fabrics. This
experience taught me a valuable lesson: Always buy quality quilting
fabrics.
Trust the Quilt Stores
Many
quilters shop at quilting stores because they specialize in quality quilting
fabrics. You'll find that these fabrics cost more. Believe me, they're worth it.
You don't want to put hard work into a quilt that's going to fall apart. Honor
your time and talents by choosing quality fabrics.
So, how do you choose
quality fabric at discount and chain stores? That's the purpose of this article.
I'm going to show you how to inspect fabric like the pros. Once you learn the
secrets, you'll never buy cheap fabric again.
What Fabrics Do Quilters
Prefer?
Hands down, most quilters use 100% cotton fabric. Fabrics
made from natural fibers like cotton are easy to sew, iron and quilt. They also
fray less than blended fabrics. Muslin, calico and broadcloth are good examples
of cotton fabrics. Most cotton fabrics come in 44"/45" widths. Always check the
label to be sure.
Keep the width in mind when you're figuring out how
much quilting fabric you'll need. While you're at it, write down the care
instructions, the name of the manufacturer and the name of the print. File this
information with a swatch of your fabric. Refer to this if you need to buy more
fabric.
Is the Fabric On-Grain?
Turn the
fabric to the wrong side. Does the vertical grain run straight up and down? Does
the horizontal grain run straight from side to side? Do both grains cross at
perfect right angles? Does the weave run parallel to the selvages? If so, you
fabric is "on grain." That's what you're looking for. If the grains aren't
straight in both directions, avoid the fabric.
Thread Count
Quality quilting
fabrics have higher thread counts. Thread count means the number of threads
woven into a square inch of fabric. The magic number lies between 68 and 78.
Quilting fabrics in this range are thicker and more durable. They also shrink
less, sew better and last longer.
Unfortunately, manufacturers don't list
the thread count on the label. But, you can decide if you're looking at quality
quilting fabrics by examining the weave. Are the threads loosely woven? Can you
easily pull them apart? Does the fabric look thin? Hold your hand behind a
single layer. Can you see the outline of your hand? If you answered "yes" to any
of these questions, the fabric has a low thread count.
Does the Print Align with the
Grain?
Even if your fabric has a straight grain, the print might be
off. Look at the cut edge, the fold and the selvages. Does the print look even
against these edges? If so, that's a good sign. If the print looks crooked, put
the fabric back on the shelf.
Does the Fabric have a Strong
Odor?
Have you ever walked by a row of quilting fabrics and noticed
a strong odor? Beware. You're smelling chemicals. Some manufacturers try to
disguise inferior fabrics with heavy layers of starch or sizing. This makes the
fabric look thick and stable. But it's only temporary. Once you wash out the
chemicals, you're left with thin, limp fabric.
Grab a corner of fabric
between both hands. With generous pressure, rub back and forth in a rapid,
scrubbing motion. Now, smooth out the fabric and feel it again. Has the fabric
lost its stiffness (body)? Does it feel thin and limp? If it does, you know
you're dealing with junk.
Does the Color Rub Off?
When you
"scrubbed" the fabric in the previous test, did the color rub off on your hands?
"Crocking" happens when the dyes in the quilting fabric aren't sealed (a sure
sign of inferior fabric). If color transfers to your hands, it's not colorfast.
If you don't see the word "colorfast" on the label, test the fabric yourself.
Here's how:
Cut out a small piece of white cotton fabric, about three
inches square. Wrap it around your finger. Rub your finger back and forth on the
fabric you're testing. Now, look at your white piece of fabric. Do you see any
color? Even if it's slight, don't buy it.
Does the Design Skip or
Overlap?
Find a table and unfold the fabric so you can see several
yards. Are there any spots where the pattern overlaps? Check the fabric
carefully for other occurrences. If you see it once, you'll probably see it
again. Now, check your fabric to see if the design skips. While you're at it,
make sure the color doesn't fade or disappear in certain areas.
Does the Fabric Feel
Stiff?
Manufacturers add a final finish to quality fabrics. This
seals the dyes and gives the fabrics a softer feel or "hand." But cheap fabrics
don't get a final finish. So, they feel stiffer and they wrinkle more easily.
Take a corner of the fabric and squish it tightly in your hand. Does it feel
stiff and crinkly? Does it have a lot of wrinkles? If so, don't buy
it.
Print this Handy List
If you
study my quilting fabrics checklist, you'll save a lot of time and energy. To
make it easy, print out the following list and take it shopping.
Thin fabric
Stiff Fabric
Strong Odor
Color Rubs Off
Loose Threads
Grain line Crooked
Print Doesn't Align with Grain
Pattern Overlaps or Skips
Colors uneven or dull
Creator and publisher of http://sew-a-quilt.com, Gloria Massard shares 17 years of quilting experience with new quilters. On her website, she teaches beginners how to make their first quilt. Gloria hopes to keep this fun and creative tradition alive.
This author of this Article has choosen to make this article available with free reprint rights. Click here to copy this article.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
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