Fabric - The medium of our art as Quilters
Good Morning - It is Friday! Friday means it's a weekend of creating just around the corner. Make it a good one!
Fabric in quilting is the medium we use to create our art! The medium of course is the product used to create with, much as a painter uses paints, or watercolors we use fabric in the same way. We choose our medium for our projects when we have chosen a pattern; the two go hand in hand.
Patterns - UGH there are so many! I will touch on a legal issue here. Copyrights, that is a nasty little word. Sew before you start your project from a purchased download an actual paper pattern or one that is created for you in a program check it out for copyright, and if you want to make changes to it, do so but give credit to the original designer as well. It is your quilt yes, and it may be a pattern that is hundreds of years old, but today in a litigious world people take credit for works because they created the color palate used in it, and therefore deem it "theirs". So just a note on that. Let us all know if you used a pattern and the name. That's outta the way now.
Now, I have touched on basic needs for a new quilter and one was fabric. OH Fabric the glorious fabric of today is just so vibrant and the color choices are infinite! It can be overwhelming for sure. How do we choose? Your pattern of choice is a director of sorts, it leads you down a path of vision's and dreams, and as your floating through this vast array of colors your mind begins to form even more visions and dreams, and then you start to sweat and before you know you have 30 bolts rolled up to the cutting counter and the cutter person(s) are looking at you with your glazed eyes, and fixed smile and are thinking NEWBIE! YEP been there done that. "Ma'am how much? Sir, how many yards do you need, Hello?" Then you snap out of your dazed euphoria and realize you have no idea, you just want it all. Now your standing at the cutting counter, with your mouth hanging open (hopefully no drool) and you realize you need to decide - first instinct: "I'm not sure what do you think"? it just falls out of your mouth. This is often an open door to the fabric police - NO, No No, no no noooooooooooo. Unless you have specific questions for the cutting counter, try not to ask "what do you think". It's a sales counter! Here are some tips to guide you-
Now the question you have: "What is the difference between box store fabric and Quilt shop Quality"? Simple: Thread count, color saturation, and dimension and of course PRICE!
A. Thread Count - Number of threads per square inch. 60x60 is considered Top notch, since it is able to take on more dies and give a richer look, it also allows for better "hand" the feel -softer. Lower thread counts lead to a grainy look or as some would say cheap. It looks less in other words. There are even higher thread counts, much like bedding sheets the higher the thread count the softer and more luxe the feel.
B. Color saturation - Easy. It is how vibrant the fabric is due to the amount of dye used, the screen saturation time, and the design engraving. Here is where your expense is. The engraving of the screens can be highly detailed which results in a much slower prolonged process to get the dyes into the cotton. Several passes of color must be used to get the look of the end product. The we have the finish of those dies, the setting process. The chemical bath which sets the die, and also closes the cuticle of the cotton threads. Meaning it softens the cotton and closes it back up, reducing the stiffness.
C. Dimension - highlights of gold, silver, white, bronze, copper. Those little puppies make your fabrics pop right along with the price. The metallic accents can be woven in or printed on, woven is best it does not flake off.
(Hoffman Royal Silver) - Retails at about $14.00 a yard. WHY? AGHHHHHHHH Run! Nope if you look close, all those colors are saturated through the fabric (greige) or graying of the fabric (Base). Then you have the passes to put those details in, and then you have the highlights. All in all about 45 minutes per repeat. Doesn't sound too long? Think how fast this fabric is flying in the facility. Speeding tickets for sure.
OKAY enough of that!
Bottom line get what is in your budget - Never let anyone tell you "Crap fabric results in crap quilts". My grandmothers used what they had i.e. old clothing, flour sacks, and army blankets (hottest damn quilts I ever slept under)! Price often is associated with quality as in any industry. However, it is true price driven fabrics (low price) are often more likely to bleed and are grainier feeling. Still, get what you can afford, its yours.
Now matchy matchy or no matchy? Hmmmm, decisions again. If you're in a good store no matter the place it may be, they will put the coordinating fabrics up together. Often in a hurry don't care sales persons just put it back. BUT, you can look on the selvage edge and see what colors coordinate! [ A selvage is the finished edge of fabric, and it is tightly woven which means it does not fray. It runs the entire length of the fabric bolt. Selvage's are very handy! Information is usually printed right along that edge. -(craftsy.com/blog/2013/04/sewing-with-selvages)].
Valuable little sucker it is. If you keep a quilt diary, put this in it. Why? See those little dots of color, it is what is used color wise for the fabric, also, the name of the fabric is here, who made it (company and designer). Important should you need more later on. (UFO's) can come back out years later and need more. It also helps you find coordinating fabrics! Remember that! Keep a photo of the project it was used in as well. Helps to find the entry later!
Not so basic of a post for sure this morning. But, If I get one thing across to you. It is this. Your quilt is yours, use what you have, can afford or just fell in love with. It is okay to splurge (www.sewnsewhome.com) is a good place to start! But seriously, what I hope to get to you, is that you should NEVER feel bad about the "Quality" of your fabric. I know you can make gorgeous quilts from old clothes!
And this little cutie is the best inspector ever! (Oliver has a very tough criteria: It must be scrunchy, crinkly, and WARM)!
All in all what to take away - Use what makes YOU HAPPY!
Thanks for stopping by - remember we have some awesome deals at www.sewnsewhome.com and use FALL15 (all one word) for 15% off your order, and this month November gets you a free FQ or two! Enjoy your day, and join us in the group to show your work ask questions and just hang out and have coffee and get inspired!
Fabric in quilting is the medium we use to create our art! The medium of course is the product used to create with, much as a painter uses paints, or watercolors we use fabric in the same way. We choose our medium for our projects when we have chosen a pattern; the two go hand in hand.
Patterns - UGH there are so many! I will touch on a legal issue here. Copyrights, that is a nasty little word. Sew before you start your project from a purchased download an actual paper pattern or one that is created for you in a program check it out for copyright, and if you want to make changes to it, do so but give credit to the original designer as well. It is your quilt yes, and it may be a pattern that is hundreds of years old, but today in a litigious world people take credit for works because they created the color palate used in it, and therefore deem it "theirs". So just a note on that. Let us all know if you used a pattern and the name. That's outta the way now.
Now, I have touched on basic needs for a new quilter and one was fabric. OH Fabric the glorious fabric of today is just so vibrant and the color choices are infinite! It can be overwhelming for sure. How do we choose? Your pattern of choice is a director of sorts, it leads you down a path of vision's and dreams, and as your floating through this vast array of colors your mind begins to form even more visions and dreams, and then you start to sweat and before you know you have 30 bolts rolled up to the cutting counter and the cutter person(s) are looking at you with your glazed eyes, and fixed smile and are thinking NEWBIE! YEP been there done that. "Ma'am how much? Sir, how many yards do you need, Hello?" Then you snap out of your dazed euphoria and realize you have no idea, you just want it all. Now your standing at the cutting counter, with your mouth hanging open (hopefully no drool) and you realize you need to decide - first instinct: "I'm not sure what do you think"? it just falls out of your mouth. This is often an open door to the fabric police - NO, No No, no no noooooooooooo. Unless you have specific questions for the cutting counter, try not to ask "what do you think". It's a sales counter! Here are some tips to guide you-
- Patterns come with cutting guides, those guides give you amounts needed.
- Look at the pattern and decide if you want those same colors or similar, as often if it is a pattern by a well know designer they are going to promote their own fabric lines or the ones used for that pattern which usually are "Quilt Shop Quality", translation: Higher priced, great quality, higher priced!
- Have a budget! Know your limit.
- USE COUPONS if you can!
- Hit the sales bin at your LQS - if they have one.
- Online is an excellent option, often times we as online shop owners we have a set number of bolts, limited. Easier to find what you like, and not so overwhelming. Lower price - we don't have shop over head to carry.
- Fat quarters! Yes FQ's. If they have what you like in FQ's get those to test a block out. Get a few color ways, try the pattern block in a couple or more if you like, it helps make a decision easier. Or have them cut from your choices at the counter. YEP that is an option!
Now the question you have: "What is the difference between box store fabric and Quilt shop Quality"? Simple: Thread count, color saturation, and dimension and of course PRICE!
A. Thread Count - Number of threads per square inch. 60x60 is considered Top notch, since it is able to take on more dies and give a richer look, it also allows for better "hand" the feel -softer. Lower thread counts lead to a grainy look or as some would say cheap. It looks less in other words. There are even higher thread counts, much like bedding sheets the higher the thread count the softer and more luxe the feel.
B. Color saturation - Easy. It is how vibrant the fabric is due to the amount of dye used, the screen saturation time, and the design engraving. Here is where your expense is. The engraving of the screens can be highly detailed which results in a much slower prolonged process to get the dyes into the cotton. Several passes of color must be used to get the look of the end product. The we have the finish of those dies, the setting process. The chemical bath which sets the die, and also closes the cuticle of the cotton threads. Meaning it softens the cotton and closes it back up, reducing the stiffness.
C. Dimension - highlights of gold, silver, white, bronze, copper. Those little puppies make your fabrics pop right along with the price. The metallic accents can be woven in or printed on, woven is best it does not flake off.
(Hoffman Royal Silver) - Retails at about $14.00 a yard. WHY? AGHHHHHHHH Run! Nope if you look close, all those colors are saturated through the fabric (greige) or graying of the fabric (Base). Then you have the passes to put those details in, and then you have the highlights. All in all about 45 minutes per repeat. Doesn't sound too long? Think how fast this fabric is flying in the facility. Speeding tickets for sure.OKAY enough of that!
Bottom line get what is in your budget - Never let anyone tell you "Crap fabric results in crap quilts". My grandmothers used what they had i.e. old clothing, flour sacks, and army blankets (hottest damn quilts I ever slept under)! Price often is associated with quality as in any industry. However, it is true price driven fabrics (low price) are often more likely to bleed and are grainier feeling. Still, get what you can afford, its yours.
Now matchy matchy or no matchy? Hmmmm, decisions again. If you're in a good store no matter the place it may be, they will put the coordinating fabrics up together. Often in a hurry don't care sales persons just put it back. BUT, you can look on the selvage edge and see what colors coordinate! [ A selvage is the finished edge of fabric, and it is tightly woven which means it does not fray. It runs the entire length of the fabric bolt. Selvage's are very handy! Information is usually printed right along that edge. -(craftsy.com/blog/2013/04/sewing-with-selvages)].
Valuable little sucker it is. If you keep a quilt diary, put this in it. Why? See those little dots of color, it is what is used color wise for the fabric, also, the name of the fabric is here, who made it (company and designer). Important should you need more later on. (UFO's) can come back out years later and need more. It also helps you find coordinating fabrics! Remember that! Keep a photo of the project it was used in as well. Helps to find the entry later!Not so basic of a post for sure this morning. But, If I get one thing across to you. It is this. Your quilt is yours, use what you have, can afford or just fell in love with. It is okay to splurge (www.sewnsewhome.com) is a good place to start! But seriously, what I hope to get to you, is that you should NEVER feel bad about the "Quality" of your fabric. I know you can make gorgeous quilts from old clothes!
And this little cutie is the best inspector ever! (Oliver has a very tough criteria: It must be scrunchy, crinkly, and WARM)!All in all what to take away - Use what makes YOU HAPPY!
Thanks for stopping by - remember we have some awesome deals at www.sewnsewhome.com and use FALL15 (all one word) for 15% off your order, and this month November gets you a free FQ or two! Enjoy your day, and join us in the group to show your work ask questions and just hang out and have coffee and get inspired!
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