Fabric choice

When I am making custom quilts for customers, sometimes they buy the material and bring it to me, but often times I am buying the material for them.

I often get asked, "Does it matter if I buy material at a discount store or a quilt shop?"

I quilt will both types of fabrics.  I think the most important thing is that you are making something you love!  If that means discount material then go for it.  BUT... You get what you pay for.

Just like most things, the higher costing material is better quality.  I make sure to either buy from my local quilt shop (I live in Utah and I ADORE Elaine's Quilt Shop), or a reputable online store.

The better quality will wash nicer, keep their color color better, and last longer.  

I know some quilters stick to 100% cotton only for their quilts, but I have found lots of different materials that are fantastic for quilting. 

 

So, figure out what type of quilt you want to make, who it is for, and how much you want to spend on materials.  Then get out there and start a project!!

One of my clients found this fun fabric at a discount shop.  It was exactly what she wanted for a quilt for a brother-in-law.

I bought this material from an Etsy shop called FabricCadabra.  The line is from Cotton+Steel.  My client wanted to make sure that she had the best quality material for a special bed set for her daughter.

Square in a square

I adore this pattern, and Missouri Star Quilt Company has made a tutorial on it.  It works up really cute, and fast.

This fabric line is Cotton+Steel

Hard to find fabric

Have you ever bought a fabric, and then gone back to get some more and have it gone?

I often will buy fabric and not get around to using it for........awhile. Then when I do use it I often  need more.  What to do???

Here are some ways that I find that very hard to find fabric:

1-Keep the selvage!!  The selvage has information about the maker and sometimes the fabric line.  It will help you track it down.

2-Etsy is a great source for hard to find fabrics.  Lots of small business owners that have just the fabric you need.  It might be hard to find, but keep looking.

3- take a picture and put it on your social media page and ask you friends/ followers.  I have found some very nice people that are willing to part with some of their fabric stash.  

So, tell me...how do you track down fabric?

This is a fabric line that my Mom made her grandson a snuggle quilt.  He moved into a full size bed wanted the same material as his snuggle quilt.  Even though it was out of print, she was able to find some layer cakes on Etsy.