Fabric

[Libbi]

How about a separate "Fabrics" topic. "Selecting fabrics" doesn't appear broad enough to me.

[QuilterLynn]

I recently have attended 2 fabric showcases that have really helped me to understand the difference between 'high quality' fabric and 'chain store' fabric.

Not to be snooty about this, because I have some of both in my cupboard, but after hearing about the manufacturing process, I'm not sure I want to use any of the cheap stuff anymore. It's my hope that at least some of my quilts will outlive me.............and it sounds like the cheaper fabric might not!

Still, there is a big, big, difference in price, isn't there?

[QuilterLynn]

Sometimes it's all about the quality, and sometimes it's all about the price. Sometimes it's about which store is open when I need (want) fabric! :wink:
Sherry

[QuilterLynn]

For me, it depends on the quilt. I use inexpensive (sounds so much nicer than cheap ) fabrics for quilts for kids, since they're going to be worn out and used up quickly, and good fabric for quilts that I'd like to last a long time.

Pat in Rockport, TX

[GloriaH]

I finally ordered the reduced price fabric from Connecting Threads. I ordered a FQ sampler on clearance. It seems nice. I think the big test will be how it stands up to washing. I will report back when I get it washed. It's hard to argue with $4 something a yard.

[QuilterLynn]

You sure have that right! $4 is a great price if it's good fabric!

[GloriaH]

The fabric was on clearance. The choice wasn't as good as when the fabric was first added to the catalogue. I just went and got it to make sure I wasn't mistaken and the sale fabric was $4.76/yard. Still haven't gotten to washing it so can't update on the finished product.

[GloriaH]

you ladies are lucky. getting fabric here on sale is like $12.99 a

meter, which is 39 inches long to your 36 inch yard. a 100% cotton

fat quarter is between $3.75 and $4.50, on a good sale you can get

them for $2.00. my daughter is going to az. for a week and i plan

on sending her shopping.

[GloriaH]

Go to http://www.ConnectingThreads.com for the latest in their sales. I don't know what shipping would be

[Libbi]

FYI
Connecting Threads does ship to Canada but not other countries . They do accept Credit Cards issued by foreign banks. All Visas and MasterCards are NOT the same. Some companies will only accept orders whose billing address is the same as the shipping address.This means that those of us outside the shipping area have to ship to an address in the USA and then ship to the international address. Add customs' duties (at different rates) and fees and this option can wipe out any savings.

My DS shipped a fabric care package to me as a birthday present. She found a shipping box issued by the USPS that is a fixed fee of $49.95 regardless of weight. She packed it full! Also it was marked as a gift, generally duty free. It should come as no surprise that these packages are scanned into the system at the entry point. Too many gifts throughout the year raise a red flag .

[jbtaz36]

I guess that is "the price you have to pay" :wink: for living away from the US in such a beautiful country. What do the locals do about fabric? I guess you will have to look into spinning your own fabric and hand dyeing like they used to do centuries ago. Wouldn't that be fun? How many birthday presents are you "allowed"? Have you reached your limit? What kind of fabric do you like? Judy in AZ

[snowplow3840]

I have mailed fabric and a finished quilt to England. The recipient didn't tell me if she had to pay duty on either but I didn't have to pay extra to send them because the fabric was used (ie: washed and pressed) and the quilt was deemed to be of no value. Not to me and hopefully not to the recipient but since it was made of "used" fabric and was not being paid for the postman (and he was a crabby, stickler for every detail, so and so) said well then it is not worth anything. I learned the usefulness of the concept of used when we went to England and purchased more than I had room for coming home. We were advised to send our clothes home via the postoffice. First of all could live without them if they got lost, secondly no duty, and third I didn't need to let my precious woolen fabrics and yarns go in the mail. (we did have some other souvenirs too.) It was February and I did all my Christmas shopping for that year there. Felt so organized. In Scandinavia a few years later a store shipped "gifts" but we had to pay duty on them in the USA when they got to our house. Obviiously having gifts sent from a company didn't pass the smell test. (if it doesn't smell right it aint right) LOL Ann

[Libbi]

Yes Judy, it is the price I have to pay. :wink:
The locals buy fabric here at the going rate which is generally 17-26 Swiss francs per meter. That equates to about $0.98 to the Swiss franc at the current exchange rate for 39 inches (yard=36 inches). Or they may even order from USA internet sites. I know that a few of the guild members are going to the Huston show this fall. There will be empty suitcases going and fabric filled ones returning. This is what I do. Some do dye their fabrics but I do not. DH is already complaining about the space I take up in HIS office. :roll:

I am trying to build a stash. I seem to be tending toward batiks and solid colors for contemporary quilts and applique. That appears to be the most flexible option for me. I began with novelty fabrics but there use is more limited.

I also mentioned in another forum that I have loads of silks I bought when we were assigned in Singapore. I bought these for garment making but I don't need to sew garments much anymore. Especially formal dresses or suits. I would really like to find a fab quilt to use some of these fabrics.

And also having to put on a form that your handmade, beautiful quilt has NO value when you know it's really priceless is a bit disconcerting! :cry:

[Libbi]

Libbi-
wouldn't your quilt at least have the value of it's replacement. we all know that buying all new fabric and cost of quilting adds up! Pretty hard to put a value on all the hard work though!
Have you tried quilting with your silks? I have often wondered what that would be like