The Fabric Debate

I know we've debated chain store v. quilt shop fabric to death. :-)
But, I came across an interesting article on the subject in an exerpt
posted on Jane Sassaman's website (worth a visit all in itself)

It certainly won't end the debate but it was interesting reading.

http://www.janesassaman.com/special-...mony/colorharm
onyexcerpt.html

what do you think?
marcella

Interesting. I think the most important part of buying fabric
is to take time to learn what the feel of good stuff is. Every
time I see articles or discussions like this one I wonder how
did all those feed sack quilts last so very long? They are all
the things the shouldn't be but still can be wonderful. I tend
to buy fabric a lot of different places. Most of the time I
do ok. I still say no matter what you buy if it goes in a sunny
spot it is over, no matter how great the quality.
Taria

Marcella Tracy Peek wrote:

I know we've debated chain store v. quilt shop fabric to death. :-)
But, I came across an interesting article on the subject in an exerpt
posted on Jane Sassaman's website (worth a visit all in itself)

It certainly won't end the debate but it was interesting reading.

http://www.janesassaman.com/special-...mony/colorharm
onyexcerpt.html

what do you think?
marcella

"Marcella Tracy Peek" wrote in message
It certainly won't end the debate but it was interesting reading.

http://www.janesassaman.com/special-...mony/colorharm
onyexcerpt.html

what do you think?


Well... you asked! hopping on to my soapbox
I think that it's been done to death and that many quilt snobs who insist on
LQS fabric only have turned many people off of quilting. Our ancestors made
do with what they had and many of those quilts are still here for us today.
Quilting is supposed to be a fun and rewarding way to express yourself and
if you limited to what other people feel you should use, then you're taking
away from the pleasure. It's fine for others to say "now ladies, don't
forget all the work you put into the quilts, don't they deserve the best?"
but they don't live our lives, do the things we do, nor have the exact same
concerns - monetary or not, that we do. We may have similar concerns, but
no-one has the same ones.

Many of us make our quilts to be loved and used, not for admiring 100 years
from now. If I want to make as many quilts as I do, to be used and loved, I
can't afford the $$ to pay for "LQS quality" fabrics only. One could argue,
then don't make them and that would be the only solution - pay what I can
and enjoy my very creative hobby, or don't make them at all. The other
argument is that many of us don't live near a convenient (or even
inconvenient) quilt shop, nor have access or the desire to shop online. When
I first began quilting, there was only one shop I knew of that was way too
out of the way for me and it's only in the past couple of years that I have
a convenient shop. Many quilters, or want-to-be quilters don't have that
luxery and must make do with what they have. I always feel terrible for them
when people start going on about how only quilt shop fabric is the right way
to go. What a put down for those people who can't get there.

My solution? I shop for and buy what I like. It can be in a quilt shop, it
can be in a fabric shop.What the quilt will be used for and what I hope to
create will all be deciding factors on the type of fabric I buy. But, I'm
not paying quilt shop prices (14.00+ here for a baby quilt that will be used
and abused as it should be, nor for a charity quilt that is going to an
orphange in Africa.) I buy as good quality material as I can, but I'm not
spending that money - geez - I don't even spend it on myself on those types
of quilts.

Yes, I've made exceptions such as for the double wedding ring quilt I'm
making right now but that's a choice I made and since it's for a niece's
wedding, I made that choice.

My other reason? I find some fabrics at fabric stores that I can't find at
quilt shops. One of my sons has a "tie-dye" quilt of an incredibly soft
fabric that I only found at Fabricville. It was about 10.00 a metre and
incredibly soft - and a dream to quilt. It's lovely. Will it be around in 50
years? Who knows? But I made it for a then-14 yr old boy and that was what
was on my mind when I chose the fabric.

I know, in all areas of life, there will be those who think they know best -
but I really wish that they would step back and see how their feelings can
hurt those who don't quite meet up to those expectations.
off soapbox

Marijke,
in windy, rainy, Montreal

I agree,
years ago I met a lady who felt bad she had no quilts from family, no
heirlooms, I think that had a lot to do with the family, my grandmother
moved many times had a very hard life, she had no time or money for "fancy
work " as she called many needle arts items, if she made anything like a
quilt, it was what is called a utility quilt meaning it went on the bed as
soon as it was tied and USED. I t didn't spend it's life in cedar
chest....if washed they were washed with harsh homemade soap, aired in the
sun for sanitation purposes....I think also of the Gee's Bend quilts, those
ladies were isolated and look at what they created from found fabrics....Get
over ourselves and make a quilt to keep someone warm and loved.
I love to do the best work I can and use the best materials BUT sometimes we
go too far.
Just my 2 cents.
Mauvice Murphy
"Marijke" wrote in message
. ..

"Marcella Tracy Peek" wrote in message
It certainly won't end the debate but it was interesting reading.


http://www.janesassaman.com/special-...mony/colorharm
onyexcerpt.html

what do you think?


Well... you asked! hopping on to my soapbox
I think that it's been done to death and that many quilt snobs who insist
on
LQS fabric only have turned many people off of quilting. Our ancestors
made
do with what they had and many of those quilts are still here for us
today.
Quilting is supposed to be a fun and rewarding way to express yourself and
if you limited to what other people feel you should use, then you're
taking
away from the pleasure. It's fine for others to say "now ladies, don't
forget all the work you put into the quilts, don't they deserve the best?"
but they don't live our lives, do the things we do, nor have the exact
same
concerns - monetary or not, that we do. We may have similar concerns, but
no-one has the same ones.

Many of us make our quilts to be loved and used, not for admiring 100
years
from now. If I want to make as many quilts as I do, to be used and loved,
I
can't afford the $$ to pay for "LQS quality" fabrics only. One could
argue,
then don't make them and that would be the only solution - pay what I can
and enjoy my very creative hobby, or don't make them at all. The other
argument is that many of us don't live near a convenient (or even
inconvenient) quilt shop, nor have access or the desire to shop online.
When
I first began quilting, there was only one shop I knew of that was way too
out of the way for me and it's only in the past couple of years that I
have
a convenient shop. Many quilters, or want-to-be quilters don't have that
luxery and must make do with what they have. I always feel terrible for
them
when people start going on about how only quilt shop fabric is the right
way
to go. What a put down for those people who can't get there.

My solution? I shop for and buy what I like. It can be in a quilt shop, it
can be in a fabric shop.What the quilt will be used for and what I hope to
create will all be deciding factors on the type of fabric I buy. But, I'm
not paying quilt shop prices (14.00+ here for a baby quilt that will be
used
and abused as it should be, nor for a charity quilt that is going to an
orphange in Africa.) I buy as good quality material as I can, but I'm not
spending that money - geez - I don't even spend it on myself on those
types
of quilts.

Yes, I've made exceptions such as for the double wedding ring quilt I'm
making right now but that's a choice I made and since it's for a niece's
wedding, I made that choice.

My other reason? I find some fabrics at fabric stores that I can't find at
quilt shops. One of my sons has a "tie-dye" quilt of an incredibly soft
fabric that I only found at Fabricville. It was about 10.00 a metre and
incredibly soft - and a dream to quilt. It's lovely. Will it be around in
50
years? Who knows? But I made it for a then-14 yr old boy and that was what
was on my mind when I chose the fabric.

I know, in all areas of life, there will be those who think they know
best -
but I really wish that they would step back and see how their feelings can
hurt those who don't quite meet up to those expectations.
off soapbox

Marijke,
in windy, rainy, Montreal

Marijke,
You are educated about fabric and have made the choices that are correct for
you - which is entirely the right thing to do!
I would not try to argue you out of your choice! That would be very wrong
of me.

I do tend to get irritated by people who insist that all fabrics are created
equal, because they just are not - the fabric manufacturers make fabric of
varying degrees of quality. It's surprising how many people will argue
about a fact, like saying the sun doesn't rise in the east! grin

For the record, historically quilters made many quilts from scraps and what
they had on hand or were given, but there were also many quilters who
purchased fabric for a quilt and did not use scraps. This has helped quilt
historians date quilts and identify makers of quilts.
--
Teresa in Colorado

The Presser Foot
Sewing Machine Sales, Service, Supplies, and More
www.thepresserfoot.com
--
"Marijke" wrote in message
. ..

"Marcella Tracy Peek" wrote in message
It certainly won't end the debate but it was interesting reading.


http://www.janesassaman.com/special-...mony/colorharm
onyexcerpt.html

what do you think?


Well... you asked! hopping on to my soapbox
I think that it's been done to death and that many quilt snobs who insist
on
LQS fabric only have turned many people off of quilting. Our ancestors
made
do with what they had and many of those quilts are still here for us
today.
Quilting is supposed to be a fun and rewarding way to express yourself and
if you limited to what other people feel you should use, then you're
taking
away from the pleasure. It's fine for others to say "now ladies, don't
forget all the work you put into the quilts, don't they deserve the best?"
but they don't live our lives, do the things we do, nor have the exact
same
concerns - monetary or not, that we do. We may have similar concerns, but
no-one has the same ones.

Many of us make our quilts to be loved and used, not for admiring 100
years
from now. If I want to make as many quilts as I do, to be used and loved,
I
can't afford the $$ to pay for "LQS quality" fabrics only. One could
argue,
then don't make them and that would be the only solution - pay what I can
and enjoy my very creative hobby, or don't make them at all. The other
argument is that many of us don't live near a convenient (or even
inconvenient) quilt shop, nor have access or the desire to shop online.
When
I first began quilting, there was only one shop I knew of that was way too
out of the way for me and it's only in the past couple of years that I
have
a convenient shop. Many quilters, or want-to-be quilters don't have that
luxery and must make do with what they have. I always feel terrible for
them
when people start going on about how only quilt shop fabric is the right
way
to go. What a put down for those people who can't get there.

My solution? I shop for and buy what I like. It can be in a quilt shop, it
can be in a fabric shop.What the quilt will be used for and what I hope to
create will all be deciding factors on the type of fabric I buy. But, I'm
not paying quilt shop prices (14.00+ here for a baby quilt that will be
used
and abused as it should be, nor for a charity quilt that is going to an
orphange in Africa.) I buy as good quality material as I can, but I'm not
spending that money - geez - I don't even spend it on myself on those
types
of quilts.

Yes, I've made exceptions such as for the double wedding ring quilt I'm
making right now but that's a choice I made and since it's for a niece's
wedding, I made that choice.

My other reason? I find some fabrics at fabric stores that I can't find at
quilt shops. One of my sons has a "tie-dye" quilt of an incredibly soft
fabric that I only found at Fabricville. It was about 10.00 a metre and
incredibly soft - and a dream to quilt. It's lovely. Will it be around in
50
years? Who knows? But I made it for a then-14 yr old boy and that was what
was on my mind when I chose the fabric.

I know, in all areas of life, there will be those who think they know
best -
but I really wish that they would step back and see how their feelings can
hurt those who don't quite meet up to those expectations.
off soapbox

Marijke,
in windy, rainy, Montreal

Big round of applause!!!!!! Thank you Marijke, that says what I feel so
well!
Now.. lets get back to quilting and eatting chocolates!
Diana

--
http://photos.yahoo.com/lunamom44
"Marijke" wrote in message
. ..

"Marcella Tracy Peek" wrote in message
It certainly won't end the debate but it was interesting reading.


http://www.janesassaman.com/special-...mony/colorharm
onyexcerpt.html

what do you think?


Well... you asked! hopping on to my soapbox
I think that it's been done to death and that many quilt snobs who insist
on
LQS fabric only have turned many people off of quilting. Our ancestors
made
do with what they had and many of those quilts are still here for us
today.
Quilting is supposed to be a fun and rewarding way to express yourself and
if you limited to what other people feel you should use, then you're
taking
away from the pleasure. It's fine for others to say "now ladies, don't
forget all the work you put into the quilts, don't they deserve the best?"
but they don't live our lives, do the things we do, nor have the exact
same
concerns - monetary or not, that we do. We may have similar concerns, but
no-one has the same ones.

Many of us make our quilts to be loved and used, not for admiring 100
years
from now. If I want to make as many quilts as I do, to be used and loved,
I
can't afford the $$ to pay for "LQS quality" fabrics only. One could
argue,
then don't make them and that would be the only solution - pay what I can
and enjoy my very creative hobby, or don't make them at all. The other
argument is that many of us don't live near a convenient (or even
inconvenient) quilt shop, nor have access or the desire to shop online.
When
I first began quilting, there was only one shop I knew of that was way too
out of the way for me and it's only in the past couple of years that I
have
a convenient shop. Many quilters, or want-to-be quilters don't have that
luxery and must make do with what they have. I always feel terrible for
them
when people start going on about how only quilt shop fabric is the right
way
to go. What a put down for those people who can't get there.

My solution? I shop for and buy what I like. It can be in a quilt shop, it
can be in a fabric shop.What the quilt will be used for and what I hope to
create will all be deciding factors on the type of fabric I buy. But, I'm
not paying quilt shop prices (14.00+ here for a baby quilt that will be
used
and abused as it should be, nor for a charity quilt that is going to an
orphange in Africa.) I buy as good quality material as I can, but I'm not
spending that money - geez - I don't even spend it on myself on those
types
of quilts.

Yes, I've made exceptions such as for the double wedding ring quilt I'm
making right now but that's a choice I made and since it's for a niece's
wedding, I made that choice.

My other reason? I find some fabrics at fabric stores that I can't find at
quilt shops. One of my sons has a "tie-dye" quilt of an incredibly soft
fabric that I only found at Fabricville. It was about 10.00 a metre and
incredibly soft - and a dream to quilt. It's lovely. Will it be around in
50
years? Who knows? But I made it for a then-14 yr old boy and that was what
was on my mind when I chose the fabric.

I know, in all areas of life, there will be those who think they know
best -
but I really wish that they would step back and see how their feelings can
hurt those who don't quite meet up to those expectations.
off soapbox

Marijke,
in windy, rainy, Montreal

I like your soapbox! :-) I agree with you that the most important
thing is to learn to find good fabric wherever it is and match the quilt
and its use with the quality. I feel the same way about workmanship.
There are times for making every little thing be thread perfect. The
quilt that goes in the dirt for a picnic isn't that time for me. Those
quilts can be a little less exact (g)

marcella

In article ,
"Marijke" wrote:
Well... you asked! hopping on to my soapbox
I think that it's been done to death and that many quilt snobs who insist on
LQS fabric only have turned many people off of quilting. Our ancestors made
do with what they had and many of those quilts are still here for us today.
Quilting is supposed to be a fun and rewarding way to express yourself and
if you limited to what other people feel you should use, then you're taking
away from the pleasure. It's fine for others to say "now ladies, don't
forget all the work you put into the quilts, don't they deserve the best?"
but they don't live our lives, do the things we do, nor have the exact same
concerns - monetary or not, that we do. We may have similar concerns, but
no-one has the same ones.

Many of us make our quilts to be loved and used, not for admiring 100 years
from now. If I want to make as many quilts as I do, to be used and loved, I
can't afford the $$ to pay for "LQS quality" fabrics only. One could argue,
then don't make them and that would be the only solution - pay what I can
and enjoy my very creative hobby, or don't make them at all. The other
argument is that many of us don't live near a convenient (or even
inconvenient) quilt shop, nor have access or the desire to shop online. When
I first began quilting, there was only one shop I knew of that was way too
out of the way for me and it's only in the past couple of years that I have
a convenient shop. Many quilters, or want-to-be quilters don't have that
luxery and must make do with what they have. I always feel terrible for them
when people start going on about how only quilt shop fabric is the right way
to go. What a put down for those people who can't get there.

My solution? I shop for and buy what I like. It can be in a quilt shop, it
can be in a fabric shop.What the quilt will be used for and what I hope to
create will all be deciding factors on the type of fabric I buy. But, I'm
not paying quilt shop prices (14.00+ here for a baby quilt that will be used
and abused as it should be, nor for a charity quilt that is going to an
orphange in Africa.) I buy as good quality material as I can, but I'm not
spending that money - geez - I don't even spend it on myself on those types
of quilts.

Yes, I've made exceptions such as for the double wedding ring quilt I'm
making right now but that's a choice I made and since it's for a niece's
wedding, I made that choice.

My other reason? I find some fabrics at fabric stores that I can't find at
quilt shops. One of my sons has a "tie-dye" quilt of an incredibly soft
fabric that I only found at Fabricville. It was about 10.00 a metre and
incredibly soft - and a dream to quilt. It's lovely. Will it be around in 50
years? Who knows? But I made it for a then-14 yr old boy and that was what
was on my mind when I chose the fabric.

I know, in all areas of life, there will be those who think they know best -
but I really wish that they would step back and see how their feelings can
hurt those who don't quite meet up to those expectations.
off soapbox

Marijke,
in windy, rainy, Montreal

Well said. You can speak for me as I feel the same way.
Gen

"Marijke" wrote in message
. ..



Well... you asked! hopping on to my soapbox
I think that it's been done to death and that many quilt snobs who insist
on
LQS fabric only have turned many people off of quilting. Our ancestors
made
do with what they had and many of those quilts are still here for us
today.
Quilting is supposed to be a fun and rewarding way to express yourself and
if you limited to what other people feel you should use, then you're
taking
away from the pleasure. It's fine for others to say "now ladies, don't
forget all the work you put into the quilts, don't they deserve the best?"
but they don't live our lives, do the things we do, nor have the exact
same
concerns - monetary or not, that we do. We may have similar concerns, but
no-one has the same ones.

Many of us make our quilts to be loved and used, not for admiring 100
years
from now. If I want to make as many quilts as I do, to be used and loved,
I
can't afford the $$ to pay for "LQS quality" fabrics only. One could
argue,
then don't make them and that would be the only solution - pay what I can
and enjoy my very creative hobby, or don't make them at all. The other
argument is that many of us don't live near a convenient (or even
inconvenient) quilt shop, nor have access or the desire to shop online.
When
I first began quilting, there was only one shop I knew of that was way too
out of the way for me and it's only in the past couple of years that I
have
a convenient shop. Many quilters, or want-to-be quilters don't have that
luxery and must make do with what they have. I always feel terrible for
them
when people start going on about how only quilt shop fabric is the right
way
to go. What a put down for those people who can't get there.

My solution? I shop for and buy what I like. It can be in a quilt shop, it
can be in a fabric shop.What the quilt will be used for and what I hope to
create will all be deciding factors on the type of fabric I buy. But, I'm
not paying quilt shop prices (14.00+ here for a baby quilt that will be
used
and abused as it should be, nor for a charity quilt that is going to an
orphange in Africa.) I buy as good quality material as I can, but I'm not
spending that money - geez - I don't even spend it on myself on those
types
of quilts.

Yes, I've made exceptions such as for the double wedding ring quilt I'm
making right now but that's a choice I made and since it's for a niece's
wedding, I made that choice.

My other reason? I find some fabrics at fabric stores that I can't find at
quilt shops. One of my sons has a "tie-dye" quilt of an incredibly soft
fabric that I only found at Fabricville. It was about 10.00 a metre and
incredibly soft - and a dream to quilt. It's lovely. Will it be around in
50
years? Who knows? But I made it for a then-14 yr old boy and that was what
was on my mind when I chose the fabric.

I know, in all areas of life, there will be those who think they know
best -
but I really wish that they would step back and see how their feelings can
hurt those who don't quite meet up to those expectations.
off soapbox

Marijke,
in windy, rainy, Montreal

Interesting article. However I do not expect my quilts to last 100 years. I
want them to be used now, not saved forever. I can sew more and buy more for
my stash if I can buy the cheaper fabric--$2 to $4 range. Expensive fabric
in my book is reserved for special projects like a wedding dress.
--
Kathy in CA
Quilting Stuff:
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/kathys1068


"Marcella Tracy Peek" wrote in message
...
I know we've debated chain store v. quilt shop fabric to death. :-)
But, I came across an interesting article on the subject in an exerpt
posted on Jane Sassaman's website (worth a visit all in itself)

It certainly won't end the debate but it was interesting reading.

http://www.janesassaman.com/special-...mony/colorharm
onyexcerpt.html

what do you think?
marcella

Kathy in CA wrote:

Interesting article. However I do not expect my quilts to last 100 years. I
want them to be used now, not saved forever. I can sew more and buy more for
my stash if I can buy the cheaper fabric--$2 to $4 range. Expensive fabric
in my book is reserved for special projects like a wedding dress.


I've made quilts with a mixture of cheap and more expensive fabric. For
the most part, the cheaper fabric has not worn as well and faded more
extensively. I don't expect my quilts to last for 100 years, but I do
expect them to last for 10 or 20 years, and I do expect them to stand up
to ordinary use. In my experience, cheap fabric isn't worth it.

I do differentiate between cheap fabric and inexpensive fabric. If I
can find good quality fabric at the flea market or garage sales I will
buy it, it it is inexpensive. If it isn't good quality, the price
doesn't matter.

lisae