If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
We know the debate will never stop, but not to be rude, why bring it back up
& and get everyone upset over the subject "Marcella Tracy Peek" wrote in message ... |
Ads |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Taria wrote:
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 I've seen a lot of worn out and used up quilts form the 1930's. I'd guess the older quilts you've seen that were in good condition were gently used and cared for. I agree with you about sun. I have a wall that would be perfect for hanging a quilt, but it gets too much sun. lisae |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
Your are right abt cheap vs inexpensive. I dont buy the really thin stuff or
fabric that feels "funny" so I try to pick quality fabric at a good price. Also I am really new to quilting--this year in fac--and dont want to buy the expensive LQS stuff because it's too costly if I screw up the piecing, sashing, or backing. I have seen some really gorgeous LQS fabric but just cant afford it in building up my stash. When I am better at it and trying to make the PERFECT quilt I may buy some of the more expensive stuff. -- Kathy in CA Quilting Stuff: http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/kathys1068 "Lisa Ellis" wrote in message ... 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 |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Kathy in CA wrote:
Your are right abt cheap vs inexpensive. I dont buy the really thin stuff or fabric that feels "funny" so I try to pick quality fabric at a good price. Also I am really new to quilting--this year in fac--and dont want to buy the expensive LQS stuff because it's too costly if I screw up the piecing, sashing, or backing. I have seen some really gorgeous LQS fabric but just cant afford it in building up my stash. When I am better at it and trying to make the PERFECT quilt I may buy some of the more expensive stuff. I think if my fabric budget were limited and I were new to quilting, I wouldn't worry about building up a stash. Rather I'd buy fabric to practice with and play with. People used to make sample blocks when they ran accross a new pattern; you can learn a lot that way. Later on when you have a pile of blocks, you could make a random sampler... lisae |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
I'm currently teaching a "quilting class" at the Senior Center. The
women I'm teaching have very limited incomes and are bringing in whatever fabrics they have laying around the house. Today, one gal had an old curtain to use- semi-sheer, at that. It scootched, it ravelled, it curled up under the coolest iron that was just barely warm enough to coax the winkles out. It was a nightmare. The second fabric she had was more than 50% polyester. It didn't want to let the rotary cutter cut it, it stretched, it wouldn't allow the seam to be ironed either way or to the center.... the seams just wanted to stand straight up. The other lady had two polyester blends and they gave her nothing but trouble, too. When she folded it in half to cut strips it wiggled and moved and she couldn't keep the fold where it needed to be. The edges curled when she finally got the strips cut- it curled even more when she pressed it. She couldn't make it behave to match seams- they stood straight up and stretched and scootched around when she tried to remove the pins just before running over them. Since she was using *my* new machine, I didn't want a stranger running over pins with it. (I know how to run over pins without disastrous results.) Both blocks were ugly colors that didn't match at all and had poor contrast. The blocks looked pathetic- neither gal found any joy in battling the fabrics and their blocks were pitiful in spite of them doing their very best. They did NOT enjoy the class or the finished product- and *I* blame the nasty fabrics! After 2 hours of class working with those awful fabrics, I emphasized how much easier it would have been with quality 100% cottons that behaved properly, pressed nicely, felt nice and looked good. But since they have never used a decent quality cotton, they have noooooo idea what they are missing or what I am talking about. Since I am teaching as a volunteer, I am NOT furnishing my lovely LQS fabrics for them to learn on. BUT.... I *am* going to start saving scraps for them to play with.... maybe they will understand how very worthwhile decent- cotton- fabric is!!! Leslie I have a soapbox, too The HairyFacedOnes 'N Me- My dogs aren't my whole life... they make my life whole. RCTQ- Houston 2004..... A good friend will come and bail you out of jail.... but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn... that was fun!" |
#16
|
|||
|
|||
Top quality LQS cotton fabrics are great. Great color, great ease of
handling, great longevity. Used curtains and worn out polyester is the worst. Horrible to press and sew. For folks on a limited budget, it is hard to choose between them, but isn't there a middle ground? Could these ladies not afford Walmart 100% cotton fabrics on sale for $2.00/yard? The selection in that price range isn't great, but things do exist. If you go to $4.00/yard, the selection opens up to include some 100% cotton solids and some florals and children's prints. Again, they're not my favorite, but they'd work a lot better than something that ravels and tears and squirms and melts. Other sources for inexpensive cotton fabrics include old clothes and used clothes at the thrift store or garage sale. I hate to think of those poor women battling fabric when fabric should be a source of joy. It almost makes me cringe to think of women taking a first quilting class and not falling in love. Something that has brought so much joy to my life should be for everybody. --Lia The HairyFacedOnes 'N Me wrote: The blocks looked pathetic- neither gal found any joy in battling the fabrics and their blocks were pitiful in spite of them doing their very best. They did NOT enjoy the class or the finished product- and *I* blame the nasty fabrics! After 2 hours of class working with those awful fabrics, I emphasized how much easier it would have been with quality 100% cottons that behaved properly, pressed nicely, felt nice and looked good. But since they have never used a decent quality cotton, they have noooooo idea what they are missing or what I am talking about. |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
I have a question relating to this - do/can manufacturer's print the same
print to different qualities of base fabrics and sell them under the same names, for more or less, depending upon the outlet? Like I would put Laura's Daisy Print on high quality fabric to sell at an LQS and Laura's Daisy Print on lower quality fabric to sell at Wal-Mart? this is something I heard once that I found hard to believe, but what do I know? Watching the Cubs, trying not to puke. Ugh. ((( TIA! -- Laura Bartl http://mywebpages.comcast.net/laurabartl/index.htm "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 |
#18
|
|||
|
|||
Passing an airsick bag to Laura! I already used one.
-- Sugar & Spice Quilts by Linda E http://community.webshots.com/user/frame242 |
#19
|
|||
|
|||
Good point! We all use what we feel is right and what we can afford. Now,
lets go do some quilting! Diana -- http://photos.yahoo.com/lunamom44 "Dustbunny (Christina in OK)" wrote We know the debate will never stop, but not to be rude, why bring it back up & and get everyone upset over the subject |
#20
|
|||
|
|||
There's a huge difference between people who put down others for buying less
than LQS quality and using fabric that isn't really appropriate for quilting - such as sheer curtains. Honestly, I can't see how you can even compare the two and it doesn't change how I feel by one iota. Marijke "The HairyFacedOnes 'N Me" wrote in message ... I'm currently teaching a "quilting class" at the Senior Center. The women I'm teaching have very limited incomes and are bringing in whatever fabrics they have laying around the house. Today, one gal had an old curtain to use- semi-sheer, at that. It scootched, it ravelled, it curled up under the coolest iron that was just barely warm enough to coax the winkles out. It was a nightmare. The second fabric she had was more than 50% polyester. It didn't want to let the rotary cutter cut it, it stretched, it wouldn't allow the seam to be ironed either way or to the center.... the seams just wanted to stand straight up. The other lady had two polyester blends and they gave her nothing but trouble, too. When she folded it in half to cut strips it wiggled and moved and she couldn't keep the fold where it needed to be. The edges curled when she finally got the strips cut- it curled even more when she pressed it. She couldn't make it behave to match seams- they stood straight up and stretched and scootched around when she tried to remove the pins just before running over them. Since she was using *my* new machine, I didn't want a stranger running over pins with it. (I know how to run over pins without disastrous results.) Both blocks were ugly colors that didn't match at all and had poor contrast. The blocks looked pathetic- neither gal found any joy in battling the fabrics and their blocks were pitiful in spite of them doing their very best. They did NOT enjoy the class or the finished product- and *I* blame the nasty fabrics! After 2 hours of class working with those awful fabrics, I emphasized how much easier it would have been with quality 100% cottons that behaved properly, pressed nicely, felt nice and looked good. But since they have never used a decent quality cotton, they have noooooo idea what they are missing or what I am talking about. Since I am teaching as a volunteer, I am NOT furnishing my lovely LQS fabrics for them to learn on. BUT.... I *am* going to start saving scraps for them to play with.... maybe they will understand how very worthwhile decent- cotton- fabric is!!! Leslie I have a soapbox, too The HairyFacedOnes 'N Me- My dogs aren't my whole life... they make my life whole. RCTQ- Houston 2004..... A good friend will come and bail you out of jail.... but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn... that was fun!" |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
FABRICS on Bidville | joan | Marketplace | 0 | October 5th 03 05:52 PM |
Tapestry frame or embroidery hoop | Jill Spottiswoode | Needlework | 7 | September 22nd 03 10:27 AM |
2 down, 4 to go & my fabric talks to me | Diana Curtis | Quilting | 4 | August 12th 03 03:40 AM |
Wonky Fabric Rant | Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply | Quilting | 15 | August 8th 03 12:50 PM |
72 Excuses for Adding to Your Stash | Debbi | Quilting | 16 | July 29th 03 12:18 PM |