I wasn't quilting because I couldn't afford "quilting fabric" from a quilt shop - single mom/4 kids. A friend of mine went to Wal Mart, bought fabric, made a quilt, and brought it to me to show me I could quilt with what I could afford. She told me, "It's more important to be creative and QUILT" than it is to not quilt because I couldnt afford expensive "quilting" fabric. 😁
If you have thrift stores in your area you can also look there. Vintage sheets, men’s shirts, interesting skirts can all be used as well as the second hand fabrics some really good quality. My criteria is it’s got to be cotton. Cotton sheets make great quilt backs. Quilters gotta quilt😂😂😂
I started quilting when my kids were little too. My kids are all grown and on their own. The excitement in their faces when I would finish their quilt was priceless. They each still have and use their quilts. All are made from Walmart and Joann's fabrics. Honestly, when I quilt with more expensive fabrics, I tend to have a higher level of anxiety of making mistakes. I almost hate cutting the expensive fabrics. When I use Walmart and Joann's fabrics I feel free to enjoy what I'm creating and I have more fun through the whole process. 😁
Like others, I was once intimidated by quilt police. However, as I have gradually become a more confident quilter over the past five years, I realized that it isn’t the fabric, it isn’t the machine vs. hand-quilting, and it sure isn’t about size and patterns. Quilting is about love of the craft. It is art. Whether it is cut up shirts from thrift stores and using sheets from yards sales or using hand-dyed fabric that is $30 a yard, enjoy the craft. Let no one intimidate you from that enjoyment.
I met a woman in Walmart (in the fabric dept) that invited me to join her quilt club. It's more of a show and tell club where everyone just shares what they are working on. I went and was ashamed to take my first WIP but the rave reviews, encouragement and advice I got was just amazing. Some of those women had been quilting for 30+ years and all said the same thing...just do what makes you happy. If your work is disappointing, it's a great car quilt, dog quilt or picnic quilt. LOL
@@donn6908 The fix for that is to start your own quilt club! No one says you have to attend or join the snotty club. Put out a call on Facebook, on your local Neighborhood platform, any social media you belong to and start a new club. Post ads in your local quilt shops or fabric stores and, if you attend church, post it there too. Make it a "show and tell and share" type club. Start small with just a few people willing to try it out and it will expand in time as the word gets out. The club I joined started years ago with just 3 people. There are now about 25 of us. A local church donates the meeting room, so no charges of any kind. Snacks are brought voluntarily during the holidays only so no one has to feel any pressure. Make your own rules. Our meetings start with a simple prayer, then we go around all the tables and each lady shows what she has been working on, asks questions or gets advice and tips from others and, of course, we gab about family and work, etc. One lady got a pattern book of "Women of the Bible" quilt blocks several months ago and she passes out copies of a new block each month. Everyone shows the blocks they made from the month before and talks about them. That would be a really good place for you to start. Find a free pattern of several quilt blocks and share them, one at a time. Be sure to make a master list of names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and share it with everyone so all can stay connected and informed. It really is very simple and it's so much fun. Good luck to you and I hope you can find a club or create your own where you can feel comfortable and enjoy your time together.
I don’t consider myself a quilter even though I do make the occasional quilt. I have several friends who are quilters and they create beautiful works of art. I can’t be bothered to follow all the rules they set for themselves. I often use fabric from rummage sale or thrift store garments. I love that it’s usually been washed multiple times and you can really tell how it’s gonna hold up … no worries about fading, bleeding, shrinking etc. I think it’s a shame that quilting has become a hobby where only the finest cottons and threads are acceptable. Traditionally it wasn’t like that at all and I hate that many new quilters may feel shut out because they can’t afford to follow the “rules” Any fabric you can afford is a good fabric.
You absolutely SHOULD consider yourself a quilter, the origins of quilting are based around using old fabrics, from garments and items that are worn out, and are no longer useable for their original purpose. Nobody made rules for the "Gees Bend" Quilters, and now their quilts are the most sought after, so be proud to call yourself a quilter - them quilt police are the ones missing out on all the fun 😂
One of my favorite patchwork projects are the texture quilts I made for my grandkids when they were babies. When the first was about 9 months old, he started feeling our shirts. It was obvious that he was interested in how the different fabrics felt so I decided to make him something with lots of different textures he could feel. I stuck to simple squares and a simple diagonal repeat and backed every piece with a plain cotton square for a bit of stabilization but no batting, interfacing or quilting as I felt like that would make the properties of the different fabrics too homogeneous. I picked a color scheme and hit the rummage sales and thrift stores. Satin, yes. Waffle knit, yes. Corduroy, yes. Fleece, yes. Silk charmeuse, yes. Ultra suede, yep. Cotton print that looks textured but isn’t, heck yes! Rayon, polyester, cotton, nylon, wool, linen, duck, twill, velvet, velour, jacquard…. The crazier, the better. A lot of the squidgy fabrics had to be hand basted to the backing cotton but then I serged it all together so no backing needed. Then I made the whole thing into one of those 4 pillow floor pads because I didn’t want to do all that work for something he would outgrow in a few months. It turned out really cool … but is it a quilt🤣. Pretty sure I broke every rule set by the “quilt police” 🤣
Agreed! In fact my grandma made an awesome crazy quilt out of old fabrics. It even included bits of her wedding dress which was brown velvet. That’s what you wore in that era, and my other grandma made quilts out of grandpa’s old shirts and pajamas. These are what we treasure.
Your right, I started by making a lap quilt for a family member who was gravely ill 4 or 5 years ago I found that this really helped me with anxiety n helped keep other issues at bay so I've watched the videos with so much info n so many ways to create anything you want so I too don't call my self quilter if thstz a term, mine are so random the ok nly math I use is length n width very little in-between but there my creations I've gifted most of them n everyone luvs them with no clue on their value so its good enough for me.
I started quilting when my kids were little over 20 years ago. My kids are all grown and on their own. The excitement on their faces when I would finish their quilt was priceless. They each still have and use their quilts. All are made from Walmart and Joann's fabrics. Honestly, when I quilt with more expensive fabrics, I tend to have a higher level of anxiety of making mistakes. I almost hate cutting the expensive fabrics for fear of messing up. When I use Walmart and Joann's fabrics I feel free to enjoy what I'm creating and I have more fun through the whole process. 😁
I get the anxiety over cutting fabric that is expensive. I have a kimberbell Bella box unused because I’m afraid to cut the supplied fabrics knowing if I mess it up I’m unable to finish which means more anxiety.?!!!?.. oh well
I made a Walmart-fabric quilt for my grandson who sleeps with his beloved dog in his bed. If I made the quilt from very expensive fabrics all I could think about was… 0:02 0:02 is the dog going to destroy the quilt with his nails while jumping up and down from bed ? Sometimes, expensive things expected to last forever take the joy from using them in a regular basis. It’s enough stress in this world, let’s just enjoy our days !
I bought some of the Pioneer Woman's fabric from Walmart and am almost done with a dresden quilt. While it seems to have lower thread count than fabric from a quilt shop, it seems to be adequately thick and I'm confident it will be a sturdy quilt. I am a little concerned about the one red fabric bleeding when washed, so I will use the color catchers to be safe. I never, ever, ever prewash my fabric and I probably never will. I have purchases a lot of fabric from Walmart and Hobby Lobby and never have I had any issues with the quality. However, Joann's' fabric sometimes seems to be very thin. I still use it on occasion if I need certain colors to go with whatever I am making. No rules and no judgment. Everyone should do what ever makes them happy!!:)
You can test your questionable fabric by taking a scrap, wetting it and laying it with warm water and laying it on a white paper towel. See if the color transfers.
I never prewash . I always before giving away a quilt wash it when it is done. I like the look and feel of a quilt that has been softened when it is washed. Another way to avoid the colors running when you do wash fabric is to add some vinegar to your wash cycle to set the dyes. I use a lot of cheaper fabrics because I live on a very limited income as a widow. So not afraid to buy from the discount stores always shop the bargain bins and buy from where ever I can. I scrap batting together and also use Walmart batting. I make quilts that are pretty and I make them to use. Nothing here gets wasted making scrap quilts now with all types of fabric in them. If something happens to a quilt I usually make an applique to cover what ever the problem might be and incorporate the design all over. Make it fun. Make it quick and enjoy the journey! Quilt on ladies at my age it is getting harder and harder to do. I will be 69 this year and hope to still be making until I just not able at all and you know if my seams are not as straight as they were once upon a time or my points not as exact if you get one of mine I think do what you want with it ...it is in the giving that gives me joy.
You sound a lot like me. I started quilting after years of garment sewing. I needed another creative outlet. I bought what I could afford and I used garment scraps, mostly cotton. Years later I joined a guild and we got a quilt shop. My quilts looked different. I felt a little sheepish because I couldn't always afford fabric and supplies from the quilt shop. I went through a time where it wasn't as fun for me because I thought I had to buy all quilt shop fabric. I have nothing against quilt shops. Their fabric is beautiful and much of it high quality But it's not realistic that everyone can always afford to make quilts that way. I'm encouraging my grandchildren to use what they want and have. That's what women did when they started quilting. I want my quilts to be loved and used, not in a museum. There's nothing wrong with people aspiring to that, it's just not what matters to me. The other thing I teach my grandchildren is do your best work, because that is what really counts in longevity next to quality. Not all fabric has to cost an arm and a leg in order to last. Discern what's decent
I've heard of that trick and had forgotten about it. So handy to just cover the blemish and embrace it by making it part of the design. If only we did that in more areas of our lives!! Brava.
I have never heard of color catchers before I learn something new every time I watch your videos thank you! You are really one of my favorites quilters to learn from! Thank you for being you!
I’m a 67 yr old women that has been sewing since I was 12, but only been quilting for a few years now. I’ve have used from cheep fabric to expensive fabric and have never had a problem. I never pre-wash any fabric but before gifting my quilts I always wash and dry. I do use the sheets in the wash to catch any running and so far so good. Buy what you can afford, and be proud of what you’ve made. There’s a lot of love and time poured into these quilts.
I get most of my fabric from thrift stores or someone has fabric that’s been sitting in less than ideal storage conditions, I also prewash my fabric because it needs to be clean : )
I use Walmart fabric and it does a great job. I have a quilt I made over 10 years ago from Walmart fabrics and it is in great shape even with dogs and kids. They are still beautiful and holding up great.
Great conversation! Becoming a quilter should not be limited to “those that can afford”. There are enough prejudices in this world! Having been a quilter for only a few years, I’ve experienced all the “quilt police”, and negative judgmental (insert preferred name) in the quilt community. I’ve taught a group of ladies (on various economic levels) how to piece a quilt. Never did I make them feel “less than” because their fabric came from a bargain store, or thrift shop. As a quilter, the last thing I ever want to do, is become a quilt snob…. because “they” are who drove me away from a quilt guild I had joined as a new quilter.
You're exactly right. I'm sorry you experiences a negative portion of the community. I find for the most part, quilters are the most wonderful group of people 🥰 I hope you've found a good group now!
Oh my goodness! No! I'm glad you did not stop. Quilters can get a rag and make a beautiful quilt, throw rug, and we fine a way to add or change it to look beautiful. And when you get a compliment, you say, oh I made it from a ray. No one believes you anyway. I bought a QUILT at a garage sale and my daughter and her granddaughter were fighting over it, lol
Sorry thar happened to you,, Diane. Too many of us have been in similar situations. I have vision issues that cause me to have problems getting my points perfect everytime. And, did I ever hear it at the Guild! I went back once only to be subjected to even more criticism. So when the Pres asked if any "New Business" I stood up and said I resigned from the Guild and would never come back. She was very concerned and asked why? Told her and the Guild of my vision issues and comments from more than 5 of those present. Told her since my points will never fit the Guilds standards, I would not be back and I walked out. One lady followed me and asked for my name and number. She called the next day and invited me to go to a different Guild mtg with her. Totally different group and have made numerous friends there!
Diane, like you, I was once a member of our local quilt guild, but unfortunately it was not the encouraging, supportive experience I was seeking, so I chose not to renew and have membership obligations to fulfill, which took away from what little quilting time I have. I am retired and have limited disposable income for quilting, but having just gone through my scraps, sorting, pressing and cutting into strips and squares, I realize that I have enough "leftover" fabric for several scrap quilts!
Diane, I am sorry people can be so judgmental. I hate that that happened to you. I am so thankful you have overcome the nay slayers. You are helping people! I like to tell my ladies in my quilting classes that the flour sacks my Grandmother made her quilts out of was better quality materials than you can purchase at an high end fabric shop. I can prove it. Then I pull out 4 of my Grandmothers handmade quilts, quilter on her Treadle. I am 63! These quilts have been used for over 100 years! Still use them & wash them. I had to rebind only one of them! People that can spend money on fabric will, people that can’t can make absolutely beautiful quilts out of out grown clothes! Life is what you make it!
Thank you for opening Pandora's Box with this topic. I have sewn 67 years, doubt I will sew another 67, but that's another topic. Years ago I did sewing for others. I was so poor that I used the scraps from my sewing to make clothing for my young children. Sew, lol, this topic I understand. What ever fabric you use, you will make a beautiful quilt. The beginning of quilting was to use up worn out clothing and house old items. Those quilts are cherished now. I believe that a quilter should use their fabric of choice. I am a place I can afford to purchase the expensive fabrics, but I seldom throw away any of it, using the small pieces for scraps. The color catchers you mention work perfectly, as I do not prewash my fabrics. I want every thing to shrink up and look old. I hope this post clears up any controversy. PS, I also thrift and go to yard sales for my fabric. Do what works for you!
Loved your post! I haven’t sewn for 67 years however I can go back to where I bought fabric from Payless stores for 3 yards for a dollar. The year was 1971. Times and fabric prices have really changed. I’m 69 years old now and still love to sew ALL the time since I have retired. Hopefully I can keep up with the new technology .
I love the look of the shrunk up quilts also!! I never prewash my fabric and it works great for me. If I washed all my fabric, I would never have time to sew
'Prewash' is never a concern for me because I generally create my quilts from salvaged recycled old clothes. Discarded sheets and duvet covers are high on my search list when I scout in the Charity Stores in UK. I make up the quilt then wash and another problem avoided is shrinkage. On the rarer occasions when I buy new fabrics I usually have chances to attend sales at production mills where they dispose of discontinued stock piles quite cheaply. I would consider it the ultimate luxury to go into a high class fabric store and spend hours choosing the high priced purest cotton and linens. I'd be terrified to cut these, once I brought them home. I think that I will just blissfully play with my rag bags and be happy to know that I have saved another heap from landing in the community landfill dump. OOPS! Let me adjust my tilting Halo !
I love second hand anything. My fabric has largely come from garage sales, Facebook market place or was given to me by family that over bought. I love that I don’t have any fabric lines or few matching prints. It pushes me creatively to work with the odd sizes, shapes, and colors of the fabric I have on hand all while acquiring quality fabric for crazy cheap.
Ive made MANY quilts with fabric Ive bought at Walmart and never had a problem. First of all most Walmart fabrics are by Waverly, a very old and credable brand. Theyre known for their bed linens and clothing. Just because its at Walmart doesnt mean its "cheap" or 2nd rate. Is fabric that costs $15.00 a yard better? Because you paid an inflated price? i think thats silly. How about some of the oldest quilts that still survive that were made from old grain sacks?? That kinda shoots a ton of holes in the $$$ theory. Buy what you like, wherever you like to shop. i do. 😉
I agree; Waverly has been around as long as I can remember and I am 64. I remember them mostly for home interior fabrics. I make mostly cosmetic-type bags and I love their cottons for these.
Feed sacks were made of tighter woven fabric to withstand the strain put on the cloth bag and if made for flour, the weave had to keep the four inside the sack. Remember, these bags were stacked on top of the other, pressed together and they held up so the grain, feed, flour or sugar were not spilled. Spillage means less profit. That shoots holes, and lots of large ones in your old grain sacks idea. Heavy bags were not gently laid one on top of the other, they were tightly stacked by hand,quickly, firmly. The same for when they were transported from warehouse to shops. I taught agriculture, I base my information on packaging requirements to maximize grain profits.
Use what you have, use what you can afford, use what makes you happy. I have a mixture of both kinds of fabrics. I often use cheaper fabrics to experiment techniques or try something for the first time. I save my pricey fabrics for something extra special. That being said, some of my most beloved quilts were made by my Mama from sheets, her old dresses, curtain scraps, you name it. I would not trade those for a whole quilt shop full of fabric!
When you are suspicious of a fabrics - test it! Hot water on a corner small piece and press against white fabric (I use old tshirts) and see if the color bleeds. Also - because it's notorious for shrinking, I always prewash flannels.
The last baby quilt I made, for a boy, I used flannel for the first time. I knew it would shrink, and I thought I was prepared for how much it would, but the biggest problem was the color bleeding. I have never prewashed fabric before, and I did not use a color catcher, but I was in tears because the dark grays bled and made the whole thing look DIRTY! I had not dried it, so washed again multiple times, used OXY, color catcher, everything I could think of, and finally got it better. I gifted it, but kept apologizing. I will never forget that agony, and will have to prewash in future. I will also use color catchers.
I love the Pioneer Woman fabric. I have made two quilts. None of my fabrics bled at all. Walmart fabrics are less expensive but work wonderful. Happy quilting.
I love the Pioneer Woman fabric as well. My only complaint is that the fat quarter cuts are not consistent. A few of the cuts were so far off I had to buy extra packs….not that I really mind buying extra fabric. 😂
I have bought the pioneer woman fabrics and have used them in a few projects they wash up beautifully and the projects look absolutely great. I wouldn’t hesitate to use those fabrics.
This is a great conversation! I’m very new to sewing in general and quilting in particular. Saying that, I generally have used lower priced fabrics to “learn on”. Takes a lot of financial pressure off! When I get better at this skill set, my budget will take a hit.
Disabled quilter/sewist living on less than $700 a month who never knows if my body will allow any activity and who loves all things fabric creating. That's the background for I use whatever fabric I can get my hands on when I can create. Sometimes I'll save to buy specific fabric from a small online or local quilt shop for a special quilt like a friend with cancer or a new grandbaby. Sometimes it's fabric from old sheets, or clothes that I deconstruct when I can't get to the machines. Sometimes it's fabric someone gave me or scraps from garments and accessories I made and of course there's the "cheap" fabric from the big box stores. Honestly, I usually don't care as much about the where, when or who as I do the creating something and if it gives someone else joy so much better. I just found your channel from the "Ugly Quiltmas 2022" collaboration and I'm so glad I did. You make really good content that informs and inspires. Thanks for helping make my days a little better.❤️
Thank you for sharing J. I'm really glad that you found my channel. All 11 other quilters in the #12daysofquiltmas challenge are wonderful people too. Keep creating and making beautiful things as you are able to. The world needs more of your beautiful heart in it ♥♥♥🎄
I'm so glad I found this video and all the responses. My grandmother was a quilter and made some real beauties. I'm definitely not a "quilter" but I recently bought a sewing machine and decided to give it a whirl. I've started small with quilted casserole sized hot pads and matching pot holders. I live in a pretty small town and the closest Hobby Lobby is 30 miles 1 direction, the closest JoAnne, another Hobby Lobby and actual fabric shops are 50 miles the other direction. I have access to Walmart basically and was a little concerned about whether or not to buy from there. So, thank you all so much!
When I started, I would raid my grandmother's scrap bin (with permission of course 😊). Now that I'm on my own with a scrappy style, I purchase almost exclusively in fat quarters, and give myself a monthly budget. Once I have enough for a project, that's when I sew. I do have the ability to purchase from mom and pop quilt stores, so that's where I go primarily. I only purchase yardage for backing and white fabric. My sister, on the other hand, is a much more avid quilter than I am, and has many more limitations than I do. Namely, smaller budget and not as easy access to higher quality fabric. My sis will purchase in yardage on sale exclusively from Joann or Walmart for specific projects. Finally, my opinion: it doesn't matter where the fabric was procured, how much it cost, or the overall quality. The act of making a quilt alone is an immense act of love, and cost of materials doesn't add or subtract from that. I'll give what I can afford, and will be ecstatic for whatever I receive 🙏
I use Walmart fabric for quilts all the time. I made a quilt for my husbands double leather recliner. We live in Florida, so the quilt is really just for his back against the leather. This quilt get washed all the time. It has lasted for years. It wasn’t pre-washed. I never do that. It hasn’t shrunk or faded. It still looks great. I also made a beautiful quilt with Pioneer Woman’s, I think Sweet Rose, white and red. Love it. PW fabric is is very nice. Walmarts fabric seems to be a little better. I do buy the better fabric, but only if it’s something I really love. I buy what I like, regardless of the store. Thanks for the video.
I buy fabric that I love looking at but also that I love the “feel” of. Less expensive fabric can be great or not so great. I recently bought a strip set from Walmart and made a quilted bag for my daughter’s birthday. The whole project was under $20. The fabric “feels” pretty good and It is so cute! She loves it! And I have plenty of fabric left for another project. I also bought a charm and backing fabric from a quilt store and made a table runner that I love. Hand pieced hexagons, hand quilted and cost well over $20. I’m happy that people are quilting!We are all free to do it our own way with whatever fabric we choose without criticism from others! 💕❤️💕
I have to agree with many others here. Buy what you can afford, what makes you happy and gets the job done. You can find some good quality fabrics at Walmart and other discount outlets as well as bad. You'll know the bad stuff when you see it. people make quilts out of just about everything old sheets, thrift store finds, old curtains, tablecloths, old clothes. Sheets and clothes are usually made of good enough quality fabrics to hold up since they are designed for use. I'm not a big prewasher. If you are using differing fabric types, always prewash because of different shrink rates. If it's all the same type fabrics, I don't prewash unless I am worried about fading. Color Catchers are wonderful. There is no need to break the bank to make wonderful looking, good quality items. The Quilting Marine: "It's only fabric and it's only thread". Enjoy your quilting...that's why you started.
My budget is - have to buy on sale or with coupons - mostly purchase online discount/sale bins. Add purchases to my color bins and shop from my scrappy stash. Never spend more than $5-$6 /yard. Budget quilting can be done.
I was taught to hand piece and hand quilt from my ex mother In law and her mother and sister. So I've quilted with everything from feed sack fabric,muslin, old sheets, and old clothes. I was taught to use whatever fabric is available to me. I think the new quilt fabric is beautiful but I feel the industry has made it impossible for quilters who are low income like me make the quilts they would love to make because we can't afford the fabrics and notions. It has turned some people who make the quilts into fabric snobs.
Your so right, I stopped quilting for many years, I took it up again and I was amazed at prices of rulers and notions , material ?? Glad I’d bought a lot of rulers, cutting mats, etc., years ago when I could afford it, June Taylor and Friskars was my go to brand , now they are all coming out with theses new rulers and they are not cheap ! You have to shop around or like one lady said go to thrift store ….I’ve not done that yet !
@@margaretdevries8090 I shop thrift stores and yard sales. A couple of years ago a friend of mine found 2 tubs of fabric for me at a yard sale and it was $20 for both tubs. It was a fantastic deal!
Anything that gets popular tends to be more expensive. Fabric crafts, knitting etc have all enjoyed a resurgence of popularity and hence the price change. I feel like more and more you have to be creative to keep quilting ❤️
@@letscleanhouse that is so true! I have started stuffing the stuffed animals I make with our families clothes that have got holes in them. I cut it real small and it works fantastic. I piece my leftover batting so that I don't waste any of it for my quilts. I try to find more affordable ways to make quilts. My husband is an airbrush artist and it's got too expensive to buy his paints as well. We are trying to stretch our supplies as far as we can until we save up a little to buy more supplies. It's a shame that we have save up money just to buy fabrics and paints.
I love wal mart fabrics ❤️I’m still learning and I don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on one quilt. I have used quilt shop fabrics and Walmart fabrics in the same quilt and it worked fine. Old timers used worn out fabric for piecing and they are still around.
I was raised (and taught how to quilt) to use everything. Old shirts, jeans, sheets, blankets as batting, anything that was cotton was fair game. As an adult…I love buying expensive fabric…it feels so indulgent and luxurious…not the actual fabric but the idea of buying “new” fabric that didn’t come from someone’s rag bin. But I also sometimes feel like I am being wasteful and extravagant for buying something new.
I feel indulgent when I buy at the luxury fabric stores too. I think it's good to make beautiful things with it the way it was intended! 🥰 Thank you for sharing!
To me it's the pattern & color that gets me. I don't mind less expensive fabric, but some of those designs on $13/yd fabrics are exquisite. So I do a mixture of high end and low end fabrics, because of the color and pattern design. I was at the Dollar Tree this week and found a bundle of 5 fat quarters for $5.00, cheaper than most places. Why did I buy 2 bundles? Not because of the price, but because of having patterns that I liked and have been thinking about as a quilt project.
I love this topic. I have always prewashed my fabric but after this video and reading the comments I will be "set free" to not have to prewash. It will save time too by not having to starch everything afterward. Thank you.
First of all this is a great conversation topic! I really think Walmart has fun fabric! In the past, I have used flannels and 100% cotton Fabric from Walmart and had poor outcomes when making quilts. The flannels pilled up and the cottons faded quickly. I still purchase Walmart fabrics because they have some darling fabrics; however, I make things like mug rugs, placemats, table runners, or pillows. I don’t use these fabrics for quilts and I keep them separate from my higher quality quilt fabrics. I do realize not everyone can afford quilt shop quality fabric so I think you should sew with what makes you happy. Be cautious and use those color catchers! There are also ways you can test for the color fast in fabrics.
When I started quilting about a year and a half ago, I started with some holiday jelly rolls from Walmart. I was just starting so I didn’t want to invest a ton of money. My mother-in-law had a bunch of quilt squares her mother had made, a bunch of 9 patches that she had made using fabric from clothing she had made. There were cottons mixed with polyesters, all kinds of crazy 60s and 70s prints. We bought some white fabric to create borders and sashes and I sewed them up and quilted it. Her mom used to use whatever fabric she had on hand. Sometimes it was old sheets, there were squares made from her dad’s old work shirts that her mom cut up and sewed together. They didn’t have a lot of money, so her mom worked with what she had access to. Having worked with random fabrics as well as higher end quilting fabrics, yes the more expensive fabrics are lovely to work with. They cut easily, they hold creases really well and are just generally easier to sew with. That said, I think it all depends on what purpose the quilt will be used for. All fabrics will wear down eventually. I prefer to make sure I use good quality fabrics for the binding since that’s going to get grabbed and rubbed the most, especially by kids and I tend to see most well loved quilts wear out along the edges first. If it’s just going to be a wall hanging or used decoratively for the seasons, you are probably safe using less expensive fabrics as the quilt won’t be seeing a lot of wear and tear. Ultimately, you need to do what works for your pocketbook. I know there are some who get clothing and sheets from thrift stores to use for their quilts. If you have the budget for quilt shop prices, for for it. If you have to be more budget conscious, then get your fabric where you can afford it.
I just adore you! I buy whatever fabric makes me happy. There is fabric that has come from a range of prices. I really don't pay attention to the prices, only the colors and patterns. Now, if I were an expert at piecing and quilting a quilt and I wanted to put the quilt in a show, yes, I would buy the higher quality fabrics, but since I am an average quilter, and this is just something I love to do, I just get what makes me smile!
Very practical advice! Thank you so much. I never prewash either. When I give a quilt, I include instructions for the care of the quilt as well as several color catchers. I also mix different qualities of fabrics to make what I like. In the end, it's the creative process that I truly enjoy as well as the smiles of the recipients! Thank you so much. Looking forward to more of your videos!
Thank you for your video! Here in Canada, a local Walmart had fabrics and I was really excited! I have to say that the Walmart prices were higher than the fabric stores. I walked away. I recently met someone who found a large bag of fabric at a Value Village discount store for next to nothing; probably someone who didn't know the value of this fabric. Lots of places to look. Thanks again!
I have used denim to quilt when I was just starting. I also thrift cotton high end xxxl dress shirts, trim off the cuffs, collars, plackets and seams, i square up the remaining fabric and boom - 3/4 yard of useable scrap fabric for $1 on 50% off days at Sally's boutique!
Quilt with what makes you happy with any fabric available even cut up clothes. My Mother taught me to sew a blouse for myself by cutting up one of my Daddy’s shirts. I have used fabrics of all kinds , all prices, and the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy quilting . Love you videos
Yeah, most important is enjoying the love, joy and creativity we sew into each project. I think sometimes we can take ourselves, our "process" too seriously, but that is my opinion. 😊 I don't prewash, I buy whatever I am inspired to buy whether WalMart, Joanns or quilt shop. I do the same with sending color catchers with any quilts I gift. While I want to do my best on anything I make, I try not to focus on the perfection of it but the heart of giving. I just found your channel and I appreciate you opening up the discussion as I do think "quilters" can be a little judgmental and a bit of a pressure filled world. It took me a while to feel comfortable in my own quilting skin, if you will and figure out what works for me! And it's so fun and my fave thing to do❣
I discovered your videos a couple of days ago. I'm an experienced sewist, so most of your tips are more like reminders for me than new information. But your tips and suggestions are great! I especially like the way that you encourage people to use what they can afford. Your suggestion in another video that the person find the method that works for them and that is the best method is super. Your enthusiasm and encouragement for people starting on a new sewing/quilting adventure is wonderful. Keep up the good work.
Really beautiful line of fabrics, you picked up. My mom sewed summer shorts and halter tops for my sister and I, out of necessity. She picked out a lot of bright 1970s calicos (100% cotton). I'd say most were VIP/Cranston. She made her own patterns out of brown paper sacks so she was able to custom fit them to my sister and I. (I was chunky and they always fit comfortably). She made quilts, doll clothes, stuffed animals, and little matching purses with the leftovers. She also used the scraps for patches or as a lining for hems to extend our dresses/ coats/sleeves/pants, etc. So I don't mind the cheap stuff. I'm very tactile so, of course I love the thick yummy stuff too What I don't like, is any quilting/calicos that have a cotton/polyester blend. I hate the stuff with a lot of factory sizing in them, to beef them up/make them feel like they're quality, but obviously aren't.
I made a quilt from this fabric and it came out beautiful. The fabric was one of the best fabrics I've ever used. I actually went back to the store to buy more and they were out. I say use what you can afford. I have gotten fabric from thrift stores yard sales, giveaways. Where ever I can. Quilting is my happy place. Life is hard. Everyone needs a de-stresser without the guilt of going into debt. Do what you love and love what you do.
I spent many many years using Joanns and walmart fabric bc that was all I could afford. And yet, everyone loved my quilts and was always asking me to make more. I had to take a break from quilting for a couple years due to life circumstances. And when i went to start up again, oh boy had prices gone up!! I found that shop fabric was only about $2yd more than JoAnns. So I started buying shop. I didnt get rid of my older cheaper fabric though. I used it up. I definitely prefer shop fabric, I think its higher quality and easier to work with. But I will buy Joanns or walmart if I the recipient requests a specific theme I cant find in a shop quality. I also buy vintage fabrics and repurpose things like shirts and pants. I also get scraps from my quilting friends and use those. And I typically dont know the origin of those scraps. I make quilts to be used and loved. I tell people, use them, wash them, love them. If they wear out, I will make another one. Do what you can afford. Quilting is a labor of love. Anyone that calculates the cost of the quilt you give them, does not appreciate all the love behind it.
I just bought some of that fabric a couple of weeks ago. I love it too. I usually shop Hobby Lobby fabric when they have it 30% off. I sew a little bit of everything. I have made several quilts for my children and grandchildren. I might make a throw blanket for my daughter with these fabric as she love the pattern. Thanks for your advice.
20 years ago I went into the quilt store and bought enough for a scrappy bedspread. Some fell apart within 5 years like I had to patch in new fabrics. So when our child was ready for his quilt, I was super selective on quality well in the line I chose they were out of one color after searching for it I found it at Joann's. This blanket has lasted 15 years with no issues. Fabric quality is not rated by location or price when purchased. All levels are available in many locations.
I love this line and bought some at Walmart. I like to wash my fabric before sewing. I do put white vinegar and the shout color catchers. Then starch and iron. It’s part of the experience and I like how the fabric feels when working with it. I tend to shoot for the $3.00~$4.00 range per yard. Be Well
I agree with you 100%. It’s more important to actually be sewing and creating than not because you have to save up to buy fabric. My entire kitchen is Pioneer Woman and it’s so pretty and cheerful. I even made valances out of her table runners years ago before she offered fabric. I also love Tilda and Liberty of London but those fabrics are expensive so I can’t always have them. Sew what you love and the love will come back to you!
I am comfortable spending $6 - $9 a yard. I lived the topic but you did not address the subject of shrinkage after washing, which is half the reason I always hot-water precast. Am I wrong tp worry about that? Also, do you need to use many Color Grab sheets each time you wash it?
I know, a year later, but I just stumbled upon your channel, and I love your videos thus far. I started sewing when I was broke and pregnant. Walmart was all I could afford, (honestly, the remnant bin) was all I could afford, and I sewed on a machine purchased from a Walmart shelf. I got gift cards from Walmart as baby shower gifts and I made my crib bedding from a Walmart collection, it lasted through 3 babies and the bedding is still in good shape. I plan on passing it on to my boys when they have kids. It is about the love of the craft.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! for bringing up the topic of pre-washing fabrics and using cheaper fabrics. I don't know why, but so many other experienced quilters refuse to talk about these things. I have posed the questions to many and I am ignored. As a brand new quilter myself, #1: I don't want to spend a lot of money of high-dollar fabric until I see if I really want to get deeply involved in quilting and #2: I can't afford the high-dollar fabric right now. I've also been asking about pre-washing fabrics and no one addresses this. Ever! I just finished my first quilt and bought a box of the Color Catchers and was planning to use some of those in the first washing. Now, I think I'm going to use several to be on the safe side and will send some along with the quilt for the next washing. As for the PW fabrics. I love them! The colors are so bright and beautiful and I've really wanted to get some. A car quilt or picnic quilt would be a good use for these. Thank you again for sharing this valuable information/opinion with us. I'm sure all of us newer quilters appreciate it and maybe some of the more experienced quilters will too.
I'm so so happy that you enjoyed this video! I think most people don't answer your questions perhaps because they don't want to be judged or wrong or risk giving you bad advice. There are people with strong opinions and then there are the rest of us who just figure it out as we go 🤷♀️😂 I think adding a few color catchers and doing a comparison for your first quilt is a good idea. If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out! 🥰🥰
Thank you for the information it's valuable. The group(s) that I sew for is grateful just to receive a quilt, and they don't know or care about the quality of the material. Walmart and now the Dollar Tree is great for my quilting.
Though I've been sewing for 50 yrs I only started quilting at the start of the pandemic. At that point the only fabric available was from Walmart online or AliExpress - and I didn't even know if I'd like quilting! So I bought what I could and jumped in. I made a LOT of silly beginner mistakes but I refined my technique on the cheaper stuff by making quilted tote bags and hot pads. Now I am addicted and able to afford better quality fabric but my little beginner projects are worth 10X their price tag to me!
I've had red fabric bleed on rest of my quilt, and it wasn't cheap, it was Moda, so paying more doesn't guarantee no bleeding. I personally only use high quality cotton for quilting, usually moda or riley blake, but who is to say to others what to use? Especially with life being so expensive right now, not all want to spend a lot on a quilt, I've seen some beautiful quilts made with old shirts, all different quality fabrics. Everyone should do what they want, it's also a learning process and at different stages in our lives we might be able to spend a bit more. I'd say go for it, and I totally agree on using colour catchers, thanks for the video ❤️
My favorite line of quilting fabric is Kaffe Collective. The bright colors look amazing with black as the background color so just yesterday my order of 8 yards of solid black 100% cotton fabric from walmart arrived. If I remember correctly the total was only like $25 or so for the entire 8 yards! It is only slightly thinner than the Kona cotton, which makes it easy to needle when hand quilting (I do quite a bit of big stitch with perle cotton thread). I like it so well that next month I plan on buying more in white. The fat quarter bundle that you purchased is gorgeous and I am looking forward to seeing what you make with it. I have already blown through my monthly fabric budget for this month, but if they have more of those fat quarter bundles available next month then I plan on buying one too. Such pretty colors!
I have a budget too and have spent a good bit on Kaffe Fassett! Did you know he said his name is pronounced like Safe Asset? I was so thrilled to hear that because I had no idea how to say it!
This is a great video and let’s everyone know to spend what you want ! I’ve been sewing since I was 12 and started quilting 12 years ago when we retired and was amazed and saddened by the fabric snobs I ran into at Quilt Stores and even Joann’s ! The employees were great. I can buy what I want, so I do! It maybe Walmart , Joann’s, HobbyLobby, Goodwill or my local great quilt store! Hobby Lobby has some excellent 108 backing fabrics, I use on all the tshirt quilts I make, love it! 40% fabric sales makes it $7.20 a yard!! Buy what makes You Happy just be creative and your family will love your quilts for decades to come!! Snobs are going to be Snobs no matter what! Have fun and quilt!!❤️
Hey Kristin!!! Great conversation. When I started quilting, I bought fabric from Joann and Hancocks (over 20 years ago) because that was closest places near me. Then one day, I purchased some fabric from an actual quilt store… been hooked ever since. In regards to the quality of it, back then, I’ve learned hard lessons especially when it came to colors running…again before Color Catchers made their debut. Reds, Dark pinks, dark blues and blacks were the worst!!! I had no choice but to prewash back then. Nowadays, I do not prewash…but like you Kristin, I put in a ton of CC and can’t wait to feel that crinkle goodness. Thanks for such a great video, see ya next video! - Stephanie
I am just now reading other comments and as a newbie I want to say Thank You ladies for the wonderful advice you are giving other Quilters. You do not have to pay for the most expensive fabric out there, unless it is something you want.
I used to prewash until I'd amassed too much of a collection of fabrics. Then I stopped. There are some modern designers that I want to own all their fabrics. I think the pricing has gotten out of line but then, so has a lot of things the last couple of years. However, I do buy JoAnn's & Walmart. Not all of their fabrics are created equal. I've seen some of them that are every bit as nice as "quilt shop fabric" and I've seen some woven so loosely that you could read a newspaper through. And to be honest some quilt shop fabric is sometimes not the best IMO. But - if you think about the fabrics that were used on quilts made in the 1890s or earlier that have survived, well - they SURVIVED!! So it's most likely that quilts even made from inferior modern fabrics will stand the test of time as well. Quilters should be able to buy what they like or feel like they can afford without any shaming. I will have to live to 100 about 4-5 times to get through my stash (at the rate I'm going) but I still buy everything from precuts to yardage if it's something I really like/want. I invested in an Accuquilt system to help me make my own precuts from my stash. I got some of the PW fabric but I haven't used it yet either. And my last thought is, when you die and none of your children or whomever you leave in your will aren't quilters, it's all still going to end up at the Goodwill - so does it really matter?
My grandmother used all kinds of fabrics, cotton, blends, polyester, etc. She was given bags of scraps from a local sewing factory. I loved every stitch!! Quilt with what you can afford thrift store, sheets, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, it matters that you create!
My grandmother made all her quilts out of clothes they outgrew or that was in my grandpa’s old overalls. They are still around and still look amazing- now, that’s cheap quilting.
Over the past 3 years my sewing projects have taken many twists and turns! I started making masks for friends and family who needed them to return to the work place...mask making morphed into making designer masks and color/pattern matching for single clients and businesses. Walmart was the one place that was open during covid to buy fabric in my area. After making 3000 masks I moved on to making aprons, pot holders, place mats and bags to use up scraps. I now shop quilt stores, amazon, etsy and Walmart to purchase fabric, matching the quality to the project I am working on. I do not pre wash. My all time favorite project is make twined strips for potholders and placemats. I enjoyed your video and agree the Pioneer Woman has so many lovely prints at an affordable price!😊
I am fifty years old and also a Texan. I have been sewing since I first got into my mom's stash when I was 3 years old. A desire and talent God put inside me. My maternal family were primarily dressmakers and my paternal family were primarily quilters. I have literally been immersed in sewing my whole life and even worked in fabric stores in college. And I am now in a comfortable place in my life where I can buy any fabric I want. In fact, my stash/hoard testifies to this. Do you know how I buy fabrics? By how they look and feel. I consider myself first and foremost an artist and I am looking at the colors, textures, and prints. Furthermore, I tell recipients of my quilts to expect 50 washes out of their quilt. If they want an heirloom, wash that quilt only once a year. If they want a daily use utilitarian quilt, wash it once a week and expect it to wear out in about a year or so. This is based on my lifetime experience of growing up surrounded by quilts and noting their longevity. The only advice about washing I will give is be consistent. It is best to make a quilt with all washed or all unwashed fabric. The reason why is you will have various shrinkages otherwise, and that will pull and pucker your seams. As for quilt store only fabric snobs, I can testify they are deluded and/or full of crap. Happy quilting. (P.S. I do always wash or pre-steam my apparel fabric because I want clothes to fit the same after washing as it did before.)
I’ve all ready made 2 quilts from that fabric but I get a lot of my fabric from Walmart. The pioneer woman fabric is vary soft and comfy. I made the granny square quilt with mine. Love the fabric. It doesn’t bleed. At all. I do however mixed my fabric with. Scrap bags by Moda. And other fabric I get on Amazon. Cause who can resist. A scrappy quilt And the 1.00 a yard sale are awesome. But not all ways a dollar have a lot of thanks giving. Fat quarter that I got for a quarter. Haven’t seen any more fabric. That’s on sale. Maybe fourth of July weekend sale will be here soon , but I use that for the back of my quilts. Just finished making 2 more scrap quilts tops. And I practice my quilting. All of you have a wonderful rest of this glorious day and happy quilting. 🤞
Thank you for your knowledge. My preference is to feel the fabric for a nice weight. When I put so much time into an assembly of a quilt, I want quality weight used in my project.
Where I live we don't have a lot of quilting shops. So all my fabric is bought at walmart. I will definitely not pay more than $9 or $10 a yard. To me $12 a yard is crazy. I used to live in San Diego and bought fabric at joanns, love the remnant sections. Have not had any problems with Wal-Mart fabric so far and I too am not a pre-washer. I like the look if it shrinks a little. That puckered look.
I love a deal too BUT my daughter had the same dilemma couldn't afford quilt shop fabric. I went for a visit and we mapped out lots of quilt shops near her. We went in and asked where bargain basement was. We found some amazing buys. I shop online at pineapple fabrics when they have free or 2 dollar shipping and shop clearance. I have a list of amazing shops 5 bucks 2 bucks. You just have to shop. I'm in houston and my daughter is in Ogden utah.
Years ago, when we were pinching pennies I wanted to make a nice throw quilt for my husband for Christmas. I had put some of his old flannel shirts and jeans in a bag to go to Goodwill and it occurred to me that I could just cut them up and use the fabric to make his quilt. It came out very nice and he still loves and uses it to this day. I personalized it by hand embroidering "Love You Forever 12-25-2005" and by also incorporating one of the pockets off a flannel shirt into the quilt and I put a letter inside for him to read. :) I think the quilt means even more to him because I did that.
I am fortunate enough to work at a quilt shop so I can get good quality material but I will still buy cheaper material if I like it. I also bought some of the pioneer woman material and plan on making a outdoor quilt and backing it with a Target sheet. Trust me I have given coworkers heart failure when I tell them I do that. They tell me I’m wasting my time but I disagree.
I'm making a men's dress shirt quilt. There's a thrift store that occasionally has 25 cent sales. So I buy up large 100% cotton shirts. So, cheap fabric that's prewashed but the weave may be a little wonky and inconsistent textures.
I love using men’s cotton dress shirts in quilts! My grandbabies get a baby quilt made from men’s shirts when they are born, because the quilt is soft, has a homespun look, and will get washed many times. (I will make them other quilts with themed fabric when they get older). My favorite one was a pinwheel quilt made with pastel plaid shirts for my grand daughter.
Thank you. You made me realize when I can use lower quality fabrics and when to use higher quality fabrics. I try to use higher quality fabrics but they are expensive, and I would feel guilty when using lower quality fabrics. Now, I can stop feeling guilty. I can use higher quality fabrics when I make a quilt that is important to me, and a lower quality fabric for quilts that are not as important. Thanks again.
Do what you love with what you can afford. I have used all Walmart, Joann’s and quilt store fabric. I think it can also depend on what is the intended use. I for one think the kid who will drag that quilt everywhere will wear it out no matter what but what a wonderful way to have been loved. Better you quilt with Walmart fabric than to not quilt at all. These days everything’s so expensive just do you and enjoy yourself
I'm 73 and can't afford "the good stuff." I have 2 projects right now: a quilted throw for my favorite chair; and another for a quilting class. I bought pretty Waverly fabrics at Walmart for $6.49 a yard and prewashed them on gentle to get uniform shrinkage. It's sort of mid-quality & fine for my throw. The colors match & are gorgeous. I chose quality Robert Kaufman yardage for the quilting class project at a trusted fabric store, but was able to find a lot of it in the clearance room at half price. All definitely affordable for me. Love your vids. Kalamazoo, Michigan
I buy what I like, & what I can afford! I haven’t seen her fabric line in person, but it looks very pretty! If I was doing a quilt for a competition, of course I would use quilt shop fabric. However, other quilts or projects may not require that big of an investment. I would rather have the less expensive fabric than no fabric at all. The prices are creeping up, just like food, gas, & everything else!
I had a freind who had a rummage sale of all of her fabric and I got 50 dollars and got 15 bags of lovely fabric -- she was a quilter for many years and she now cannot due to her arthritis. She gave me lots of tips and I am so excited to start quilting. I have sewed on and off for years. Now I have a new simple brother sewing machine, but I am thrilled to start sewing again and quilts are my new project.
I love the Waverly fabrics at Walmart. They are BEAUTIFUL! I have a set of aqua that I need to find the perfect pattern for so I can start sewing with it. I agree that people should buy what they can afford. A beautiful quilt can be made from just about any fabric. My sister and I have several quilts made out of polyester fabric that my mother made and a couple of my mother's friends made and we love them just as much as the cotton quilts because it's all about remembering who gave you the quilt. We laugh about the polyester fabric from the 70's but it doesn't make us not love those quilts. They are great conversation starters and we love them regardless. So it really is the thought that counts. If you put your heart and soul into it and spend time on it, people will cherish it - regardless of the fabric.
Your comment brought back memories. My grandmother also used to make quilts out of used polyester pants. They were usually brightly colored and I remember helping her finish the quilts by tying knots in them with yarn. Sadly I don't know what happened to those quilts when she died. I think it's more important that we be creative with whatever we have on hand and can afford than it is to get snobbish about where we buy our fabric. I also like Waverly at Walmart and have other inexpensive fabrics from various places as well. If I like the feel and the pattern that's what matters.
I think it all depends on what you're wanting to make. If I were making an heirloom quilt that I wanted to last for generations to come, I'd save up to invest in high quality fabrics. But not everything needs to be an heirloom. Most of the time I'm fine with the possibility of it not lasting forever (or willing to repair it), testing a pattern, practicing a new skill, or the final product will not see high use/washing (like decorative or seasonal items). In those cases, I use whatever I can find: old bedsheets and shirts, big box store sales, and fleece blankets for batting. I began quilting simply as a way to use up scraps that I had from other projects so that nothing would go to waste, and that's primarily my main intent in quilting - giving a new life to old things and scraps.
Worth also noting. On my bed a quilt my grandmothers made in her 20s lives. Daily. It’s scrappy. She was poor . I can see clothes, curtains and flour sac cloth. It’s survived her life time and now mine into my 50s. Having her work means everything to me. I’d never consider passing judgment on the quality of cloth used before considering the love and work put into this. Quilts are unconditional in their giving of warmth, consoling year catchers when appropriate, crumb catchers of tiny hands and love. I just think they along with any quilt maker deserves the same unconditional respect.
I don't ever prewash my fabric. When I first started quilting, I bought quite a lot of lower-priced fabric, especially from JoAnn's, and looking back, I have to say that it didn't perform as well as the quilting cotton that I use now, especially due to shrinkage after I washed the completed quilts. But I will say that the fabric that I bought initially was a big part of my quilting journey and it helped me gain experience, so in the long run it was worth it. I do feel there can be a big difference in quality, so I try to watch for sales and specials at my local quilt shop, and online, because as we all know, that fabric is pricier. But everyone should use what fits their budget, and what works for them. That's what our hobby is all about - don't let it break the bank, and be sure it makes you happy!
Hi: I just found your video this morning & subscribed. To answer your question, I wash ALL my fabric not once but twice & dry them twice then press them before I cut them. If they are going to bleed, shrink, fade, or tent I will know this before I choose to use them in my quilt top or whatever I am sewing. Yes, I use the cheap when I can get it. lol. Nice video!
Great video. Full disclosure I work for Walmart at the HQ- I am a skilled quilter and trained in garment construction and textiles (BFA in Fashion Design.) i am also a fabric snob but have ordered 81 fat quarters and a bolt of backing to go on this adventure with you. I have worked with some amazing companies and have to say That between Ree and Walmart there are some pretty high quality standards. I was going to get Waverly white for my background and it was not bright white so am going to use kona white and give this a go. I am 100% confident it will compare and measure up to my quilts made with moda and free spirit (quilt shop quality).
Hi Bryan. Thanks so much for your comment! I'm excited to have another skilled artist to do this test with me. I'd love to chat more with you - please email me christen@iseestarsquilting.com
Great video! I use all kinds of fabric. The quilts don’t seem to care. Perhaps they argue when I’m sleeping about who is better. Since I’m asleep, I don’t care. However, I do have a family group project quilt (one of those flower of the month embroidery squares) that I wish we had used “better material”. So I really think your idea of think about the use before you sew is smart. The quilts have said they like us thinking about them😉
Liberty Fabrics from Engand are very thin, but so soft and silky, lovely prints. At JoAnns for $35/yd, OOH LA LA! Even with a 50% off coupon. I'll pass.
Thank you for making this UA-cam. I’ve been only quilting a year but have made over 40 quilts ( I’m retired and have the time now). But I love my quilt shop but like you it depends on the type of quilt I’m making. I like Walmart, Joann’s (on sale) fabrics and I love Michaels fabrics. In Ohio Michaels has four stores which sell fabric by the yard. The sales are amazing.. character fleece was $0.50/yd, cottons and batiks were as low as $2/yd and my favorite 108” premium cotton was $2yd reg price 18.99/ yard. I have not had any issues with Walmart or Michaels fabric. I don’t prewash either. If I have any concerns about a piece of fabric, I cut a quarter and wash it. Thanks again for positing this video.
I’ve been a quilter for over 30 years, as my hobby. I will buy more expensive fabric if it’s meant to last generations (only twice) or the customer pays for it. Most of the hundreds of quilts I’ve made were baby gifts, I love you, thank you, quilts of valor, tons of charity quilts. I save everything from a crumb on up. If I didn’t buy fabric from Walmart or on sale, even thrifted, there would a LOT of people not snuggling with a quilt right now. My first king size in year 2 of quilting was made by hand for my moms 50th birthday and was cheap fabric because I didn’t know any better nor could I have afforded expensive stuff. She used it on her bed every day for 25 years before she passed, it only has one hole in it and it was from her dang cat clawing at it. I don’t make quilts so their grandkids have it generations later. If they do, that’s nice. But I make them for that person to have it now, and use it now. Not out it away because it’s too precious to use. So for me, I guess it depends on why you are making a particular quilt. There are no wrong answers. I wish people would stop thinking that. I understand people want guidance, but some answers are so absolute and can be condescending or snotty. Which is not nice. First world problems and all, put it into perspective people. I made NINETY stuffed animals with zipper pocket mouths (monsters, cats, dogs) for 90 kids in cancer hospital. 90% from my crumbs and the other 10% from scraps larger than 2.5” even the stuffing was from my bags of thread clippings and tiny things. I used selvedge edges braided into crazy hair, yarn brushed out as silly mohawks, you name it. They were such happy things. My profile pics is a closeup of a few of them. I guess if I had not used scraps those kids wouldn’t have smiled that day. Wanna know what an anonymous comment was? “Didn’t they deserve new fabric?” So when we use cheap fabric, we might be making the same salary. Or we aren’t wasteful and see something fun and happy in even the small pieces. So be proud. Use what you want and don’t let nay sayers get you down. They may look down their nose at you, but just picture the smile on the face of the person you gave that quilt to. @QuiltsByPamela over and out 🤐 ha, I found an emoji with a zipper mouth too lol
I agree with you!! Dealing with quilt snobs is never I nice experience. Ppl can be ugly. Buy what you like & can afford. Finding creative ways to use left overs & scraps is an amazing thing & very environmentally responsible as well!! Kudos! I see some people online who hate to use fabric left over from other projects but they then choose to donate the left fabric & that’s great too!
Quilting is a precious art born of frugality! We SHOULD feel uncomfortable cutting into a large piece of expensive fabric...quilting is about providing a cozy feeling from found fabric, it is more interesting to make too.
I am a beginner quilter. Still have not made my first one yet. But I've been buying fabric. I buy based on how much I love the fabric. So I have cheap and expensive fabric. Started my first project with cheap fabric for sure. Will use the better fabric when I get better. Love your channel!
My Grandmother quilted over 100 years ago, yes I'm old. She live on a farm and didn't have expensive fabrics to use, I still have two of her quilts and I love them. One was less used and looks almost new the other one shows it's been loved. I started quilting last November and have used fabric from Amazon, Fabricland and the wonderful quilt shops that are in this area as well as Jordans and other online shops.
I knew an older lady in Oklahoma (she's gone now) who waited until Spring and bought the floral blankets from Walmart when they went on sale. She used them as her batting and backing to create really warm quilts. I may give that a try.
Glad to know that there are others who do t wash their fabrics first. I feel like it handles better during construction. I have not had a problem with colors bleeding and I usually wash them after finished…gently.
My quilts are not for sale, so I use scraps and sheets and love Walmart price range. If my talent was great, I might feel different. Also, my income is only soc security.
I just joined your website and love your comments.I’m 80yrs old quilting a long time before rotary cutters. Basically I bought fabric wherever I could get it. Walmart,Joanne’s,Hobby Lobby etc. always prewashed fabric not anymore. Depending on for whom or what event I am quilting for is how much I will pay for my fabric. I do use color catcher when washing my quilts and woolite or quilt soap. Where in TX do you live I ‘m in Austin. Hope to see you at a quilt show. Happy Quilting, Gloria
I like Moda and Michael Miller fabrics but usually only buy when they are on sale I habe no issue with people using walmart fabric or any other I'm not the quilting police . Quilting is suppose to make you happy so use whatever you want
Hello!!! I too, fell in love with the pioneer woman fabrics at Walmart. I had to have them!!! Not sure what type of quilt I will make with them. I usually integrate all kinds of scraps in my quilts. I don't do pattern quilts. So there can be all different types and colors of fabric scraps in my quilts. But I will say this, most folks have no clue as to the amount of work that goes into making a quilt. I have been making quilts, mainly baby quilts, for decades. I am elderly now and my hands don't always work, so I am slowing down with the quilt making. Ty for your very helpful information!!!
I would love to see what you do with the Pioneer woman fabrics! I'm having a hard time deciding because I see so many possibilities for a beautiful quilt!
I had a friend that used Walmart fabric for her back ground in a king size quilt. After she quilted it on her home machine, she washed it. The Walmart fabric deteriorated. She was devastated. The quilt wasn’t salvageable.
Thank you for such good information. My first ever quilt was at a time in our lives that we had no home, (lived w/my brother-in-law’s family). My husband worked on his book writing n odd jobs. Now mind you, we sold our very nice home and quit jobs in a profession w/the thoughts of “he has 2.5 degrees under his belt” and a little savings. I decided to lose myself in my first experience of quilting. I called it “MyDollar quilt”. It grew on me as my inexperience revealed itself so when I say large, it was quite large. I still have it to this day, 20 yrs later. Everything was done by hand and I love it so much. Haha, it’s the kind you take to the beach. 🥰
I wasn't quilting because I couldn't afford "quilting fabric" from a quilt shop - single mom/4 kids. A friend of mine went to Wal Mart, bought fabric, made a quilt, and brought it to me to show me I could quilt with what I could afford. She told me, "It's more important to be creative and QUILT" than it is to not quilt because I couldnt afford expensive "quilting" fabric. 😁
Aw I love this Allie! Thank you for sharing. I am so glad that you are quilting. single mom and 4 kids. You are a beautiful and wonderful person. ❤❤
@@ISeeStarsQuilting thank you. God Bless you!
If you have thrift stores in your area you can also look there. Vintage sheets, men’s shirts, interesting skirts can all be used as well as the second hand fabrics some really good quality. My criteria is it’s got to be cotton. Cotton sheets make great quilt backs. Quilters gotta quilt😂😂😂
Good for you! Go for it!
I started quilting when my kids were little too. My kids are all grown and on their own. The excitement in their faces when I would finish their quilt was priceless. They each still have and use their quilts. All are made from Walmart and Joann's fabrics. Honestly, when I quilt with more expensive fabrics, I tend to have a higher level of anxiety of making mistakes. I almost hate cutting the expensive fabrics. When I use Walmart and Joann's fabrics I feel free to enjoy what I'm creating and I have more fun through the whole process. 😁
Like others, I was once intimidated by quilt police. However, as I have gradually become a more confident quilter over the past five years, I realized that it isn’t the fabric, it isn’t the machine vs. hand-quilting, and it sure isn’t about size and patterns. Quilting is about love of the craft. It is art. Whether it is cut up shirts from thrift stores and using sheets from yards sales or using hand-dyed fabric that is $30 a yard, enjoy the craft. Let no one intimidate you from that enjoyment.
I firmly believe there is no wrong way to quilt! As long as you are happy and happy with the end product, that is all that matters!
That is the perfect welcoming advice for all beginner quilters 🙏🏼🥰
I met a woman in Walmart (in the fabric dept) that invited me to join her quilt club. It's more of a show and tell club where everyone just shares what they are working on. I went and was ashamed to take my first WIP but the rave reviews, encouragement and advice I got was just amazing. Some of those women had been quilting for 30+ years and all said the same thing...just do what makes you happy. If your work is disappointing, it's a great car quilt, dog quilt or picnic quilt. LOL
@@donn6908 The fix for that is to start your own quilt club! No one says you have to attend or join the snotty club. Put out a call on Facebook, on your local Neighborhood platform, any social media you belong to and start a new club. Post ads in your local quilt shops or fabric stores and, if you attend church, post it there too. Make it a "show and tell and share" type club. Start small with just a few people willing to try it out and it will expand in time as the word gets out. The club I joined started years ago with just 3 people. There are now about 25 of us. A local church donates the meeting room, so no charges of any kind. Snacks are brought voluntarily during the holidays only so no one has to feel any pressure.
Make your own rules. Our meetings start with a simple prayer, then we go around all the tables and each lady shows what she has been working on, asks questions or gets advice and tips from others and, of course, we gab about family and work, etc. One lady got a pattern book of "Women of the Bible" quilt blocks several months ago and she passes out copies of a new block each month. Everyone shows the blocks they made from the month before and talks about them. That would be a really good place for you to start. Find a free pattern of several quilt blocks and share them, one at a time.
Be sure to make a master list of names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and share it with everyone so all can stay connected and informed. It really is very simple and it's so much fun. Good luck to you and I hope you can find a club or create your own where you can feel comfortable and enjoy your time together.
@@shelleyriley9130 thank you!
I don’t consider myself a quilter even though I do make the occasional quilt. I have several friends who are quilters and they create beautiful works of art. I can’t be bothered to follow all the rules they set for themselves. I often use fabric from rummage sale or thrift store garments. I love that it’s usually been washed multiple times and you can really tell how it’s gonna hold up … no worries about fading, bleeding, shrinking etc.
I think it’s a shame that quilting has become a hobby where only the finest cottons and threads are acceptable. Traditionally it wasn’t like that at all and I hate that many new quilters may feel shut out because they can’t afford to follow the “rules”
Any fabric you can afford is a good fabric.
Hi! I agree with your comments! The Quilt Police can sometimes be in force, so I ignore them. I like the inspiration I seek and my own techniques.
You absolutely SHOULD consider yourself a quilter, the origins of quilting are based around using old fabrics, from garments and items that are worn out, and are no longer useable for their original purpose. Nobody made rules for the "Gees Bend" Quilters, and now their quilts are the most sought after, so be proud to call yourself a quilter - them quilt police are the ones missing out on all the fun 😂
One of my favorite patchwork projects are the texture quilts I made for my grandkids when they were babies. When the first was about 9 months old, he started feeling our shirts. It was obvious that he was interested in how the different fabrics felt so I decided to make him something with lots of different textures he could feel. I stuck to simple squares and a simple diagonal repeat and backed every piece with a plain cotton square for a bit of stabilization but no batting, interfacing or quilting as I felt like that would make the properties of the different fabrics too homogeneous.
I picked a color scheme and hit the rummage sales and thrift stores. Satin, yes. Waffle knit, yes. Corduroy, yes. Fleece, yes. Silk charmeuse, yes. Ultra suede, yep. Cotton print that looks textured but isn’t, heck yes! Rayon, polyester, cotton, nylon, wool, linen, duck, twill, velvet, velour, jacquard…. The crazier, the better.
A lot of the squidgy fabrics had to be hand basted to the backing cotton but then I serged it all together so no backing needed. Then I made the whole thing into one of those 4 pillow floor pads because I didn’t want to do all that work for something he would outgrow in a few months. It turned out really cool … but is it a quilt🤣. Pretty sure I broke every rule set by the “quilt police” 🤣
Agreed! In fact my grandma made an awesome crazy quilt out of old fabrics. It even included bits of her wedding dress which was brown velvet. That’s what you wore in that era, and my other grandma made quilts out of grandpa’s old shirts and pajamas. These are what we treasure.
Your right, I started by making a lap quilt for a family member who was gravely ill 4 or 5 years ago I found that this really helped me with anxiety n helped keep other issues at bay so I've watched the videos with so much info n so many ways to create anything you want so I too don't call my self quilter if thstz a term, mine are so random the ok nly math I use is length n width very little in-between but there my creations I've gifted most of them n everyone luvs them with no clue on their value so its good enough for me.
I started quilting when my kids were little over 20 years ago. My kids are all grown and on their own. The excitement on their faces when I would finish their quilt was priceless. They each still have and use their quilts. All are made from Walmart and Joann's fabrics. Honestly, when I quilt with more expensive fabrics, I tend to have a higher level of anxiety of making mistakes. I almost hate cutting the expensive fabrics for fear of messing up. When I use Walmart and Joann's fabrics I feel free to enjoy what I'm creating and I have more fun through the whole process. 😁
Agreed with that!! I started quilting when my youngest was 1. Good prices on fabric are a must, especially now that they have started sewing too!
I get the anxiety over cutting fabric that is expensive. I have a kimberbell Bella box unused because I’m afraid to cut the supplied fabrics knowing if I mess it up I’m unable to finish which means more anxiety.?!!!?.. oh well
I made a Walmart-fabric quilt for my grandson who sleeps with his beloved dog in his bed. If I made the quilt from very expensive fabrics all I could think about was… 0:02 0:02 is the dog going to destroy the quilt with his nails while jumping up and down from bed ?
Sometimes, expensive things expected to last forever take the joy from using them in a regular basis. It’s enough stress in this world, let’s just enjoy our days !
I bought some of the Pioneer Woman's fabric from Walmart and am almost done with a dresden quilt. While it seems to have lower thread count than fabric from a quilt shop, it seems to be adequately thick and I'm confident it will be a sturdy quilt. I am a little concerned about the one red fabric bleeding when washed, so I will use the color catchers to be safe. I never, ever, ever prewash my fabric and I probably never will.
I have purchases a lot of fabric from Walmart and Hobby Lobby and never have I had any issues with the quality. However, Joann's' fabric sometimes seems to be very thin. I still use it on occasion if I need certain colors to go with whatever I am making.
No rules and no judgment. Everyone should do what ever makes them happy!!:)
oOoOOh! I would love to see your quilt! I bet it's so beautiful 🥰
You can test your questionable fabric by taking a scrap, wetting it and laying it with warm water and laying it on a white paper towel. See if the color transfers.
I had a sad betrayal of fading fabric from Hobby Lobby. Never again!
That quilt will be beautiful. The perfect assortment for a Dresden plate. I wish we could see it.❤️
@@debkimpel3427 Iron it while it still wet and see how much it shrinks
I never prewash . I always before giving away a quilt wash it when it is done. I like the look and feel of a quilt that has been softened when it is washed. Another way to avoid the colors running when you do wash fabric is to add some vinegar to your wash cycle to set the dyes. I use a lot of cheaper fabrics because I live on a very limited income as a widow. So not afraid to buy from the discount stores always shop the bargain bins and buy from where ever I can. I scrap batting together and also use Walmart batting. I make quilts that are pretty and I make them to use. Nothing here gets wasted making scrap quilts now with all types of fabric in them. If something happens to a quilt I usually make an applique to cover what ever the problem might be and incorporate the design all over. Make it fun. Make it quick and enjoy the journey! Quilt on ladies at my age it is getting harder and harder to do. I will be 69 this year and hope to still be making until I just not able at all and you know if my seams are not as straight as they were once upon a time or my points not as exact if you get one of mine I think do what you want with it ...it is in the giving that gives me joy.
I love your attitude 🥰🥰 keep making quilts! The world needs more beautiful things from happy joyful women!
You sound a lot like me. I started quilting after years of garment sewing. I needed another creative outlet. I bought what I could afford and I used garment scraps, mostly cotton. Years later I joined a guild and we got a quilt shop. My quilts looked different. I felt a little sheepish because I couldn't always afford fabric and supplies from the quilt shop. I went through a time where it wasn't as fun for me because I thought I had to buy all quilt shop fabric. I have nothing against quilt shops. Their fabric is beautiful and much of it high quality
But it's not realistic that everyone can always afford to make quilts that way. I'm encouraging my grandchildren to use what they want and have. That's what women did when they started quilting. I want my quilts to be loved and used, not in a museum. There's nothing wrong with people aspiring to that, it's just not what matters to me. The other thing I teach my grandchildren is do your best work, because that is what really counts in longevity next to quality. Not all fabric has to cost an arm and a leg in order to last. Discern what's decent
I've heard of that trick and had forgotten about it. So handy to just cover the blemish and embrace it by making it part of the design. If only we did that in more areas of our lives!! Brava.
I have never heard of color catchers before I learn something new every time I watch your videos thank you! You are really one of my favorites quilters to learn from! Thank you for being you!
You are so welcome! That makes me so so happy!
I’m a 67 yr old women that has been sewing since I was 12, but only been quilting for a few years now. I’ve have used from cheep fabric to expensive fabric and have never had a problem. I never pre-wash any fabric but before gifting my quilts I always wash and dry. I do use the sheets in the wash to catch any running and so far so good. Buy what you can afford, and be proud of what you’ve made. There’s a lot of love and time poured into these quilts.
I’m a scrap quilter and I only use what I find at yard sales or thrift shops. I wash all my fabrics. thank you for sharing,I love your channel. 🌸
Thank you for watching 🥰🥰
I get most of my fabric from thrift stores or someone has fabric that’s been sitting in less than ideal storage conditions, I also prewash my fabric because it needs to be clean : )
I use Walmart fabric and it does a great job. I have a quilt I made over 10 years ago from Walmart fabrics and it is in great shape even with dogs and kids. They are still beautiful and holding up great.
Thanks for sharing! That is so so great to know!!
Great conversation! Becoming a quilter should not be limited to “those that can afford”. There are enough prejudices in this world! Having been a quilter for only a few years, I’ve experienced all the “quilt police”, and negative judgmental (insert preferred name) in the quilt community. I’ve taught a group of ladies (on various economic levels) how to piece a quilt. Never did I make them feel “less than” because their fabric came from a bargain store, or thrift shop. As a quilter, the last thing I ever want to do, is become a quilt snob…. because “they” are who drove me away from a quilt guild I had joined as a new quilter.
You're exactly right. I'm sorry you experiences a negative portion of the community. I find for the most part, quilters are the most wonderful group of people 🥰 I hope you've found a good group now!
Oh my goodness! No! I'm glad you did not stop. Quilters can get a rag and make a beautiful quilt, throw rug, and we fine a way to add or change it to look beautiful. And when you get a compliment, you say, oh I made it from a ray. No one believes you anyway. I bought a QUILT at a garage sale and my daughter and her granddaughter were fighting over it, lol
Sorry thar happened to you,, Diane. Too many of us have been in similar situations. I have vision issues that cause me to have problems getting my points perfect everytime. And, did I ever hear it at the Guild! I went back once only to be subjected to even more criticism. So when the Pres asked if any "New Business" I stood up and said I resigned from the Guild and would never come back. She was very concerned and asked why? Told her and the Guild of my vision issues and comments from more than 5 of those present. Told her since my points will never fit the Guilds standards, I would not be back and I walked out. One lady followed me and asked for my name and number. She called the next day and invited me to go to a different Guild mtg with her. Totally different group and have made numerous friends there!
Diane, like you, I was once a member of our local quilt guild, but unfortunately it was not the encouraging, supportive experience I was seeking, so I chose not to renew and have membership obligations to fulfill, which took away from what little quilting time I have. I am retired and have limited disposable income for quilting, but having just gone through my scraps, sorting, pressing and cutting into strips and squares, I realize that I have enough "leftover" fabric for several scrap quilts!
Diane, I am sorry people can be so judgmental. I hate that that happened to you. I am so thankful you have overcome the nay slayers. You are helping people! I like to tell my ladies in my quilting classes that the flour sacks my Grandmother made her quilts out of was better quality materials than you can purchase at an high end fabric shop. I can prove it. Then I pull out 4 of my Grandmothers handmade quilts, quilter on her Treadle. I am 63! These quilts have been used for over 100 years! Still use them & wash them. I had to rebind only one of them!
People that can spend money on fabric will, people that can’t can make absolutely beautiful quilts out of out grown clothes!
Life is what you make it!
Thank you for opening Pandora's Box with this topic. I have sewn 67 years, doubt I will sew another 67, but that's another topic. Years ago I did sewing for others. I was so poor that I used the scraps from my sewing to make clothing for my young children. Sew, lol, this topic I understand. What ever fabric you use, you will make a beautiful quilt. The beginning of quilting was to use up worn out clothing and house old items. Those quilts are cherished now. I believe that a quilter should use their fabric of choice. I am a place I can afford to purchase the expensive fabrics, but I seldom throw away any of it, using the small pieces for scraps. The color catchers you mention work perfectly, as I do not prewash my fabrics. I want every thing to shrink up and look old. I hope this post clears up any controversy. PS, I also thrift and go to yard sales for my fabric. Do what works for you!
I love your wisdom and experiences advice. Thank you for sharing, Faith 😘😘
Loved your post! I haven’t sewn for 67 years however I can go back to where I bought fabric from Payless stores for 3 yards for a dollar. The year was 1971. Times and fabric prices have really changed. I’m 69 years old now and still love to sew ALL the time since I have retired. Hopefully I can keep up with the new technology .
I always prewash. I can’t stand the feel of the chemicals on the surface of new cottons.
I love the look of the shrunk up quilts also!! I never prewash my fabric and it works great for me. If I washed all my fabric, I would never have time to sew
'Prewash' is never a concern for me because I generally create my quilts from salvaged recycled old clothes. Discarded sheets and duvet covers are high on my search list when I scout in the Charity Stores in UK. I make up the quilt then wash and another problem avoided is shrinkage. On the rarer occasions when I buy new fabrics I usually have chances to attend sales at production mills where they dispose of discontinued stock piles quite cheaply. I would consider it the ultimate luxury to go into a high class fabric store and spend hours choosing the high priced purest cotton and linens. I'd be terrified to cut these, once I brought them home. I think that I will just blissfully play with my rag bags and be happy to know that I have saved another heap from landing in the community landfill dump. OOPS! Let me adjust my tilting Halo !
I love second hand anything. My fabric has largely come from garage sales, Facebook market place or was given to me by family that over bought. I love that I don’t have any fabric lines or few matching prints. It pushes me creatively to work with the odd sizes, shapes, and colors of the fabric I have on hand all while acquiring quality fabric for crazy cheap.
Ive made MANY quilts with fabric Ive bought at Walmart and never had a problem. First of all most Walmart fabrics are by Waverly, a very old and credable brand. Theyre known for their bed linens and clothing. Just because its at Walmart doesnt mean its "cheap" or 2nd rate. Is fabric that costs $15.00 a yard better? Because you paid an inflated price? i think thats silly. How about some of the oldest quilts that still survive that were made from old grain sacks?? That kinda shoots a ton of holes in the $$$ theory. Buy what you like, wherever you like to shop. i do. 😉
I'll have to read more about Waverly. I didn't realize they were an older/established brand. Thanks for sharing! 🥰
I agree; Waverly has been around as long as I can remember and I am 64. I remember them mostly for home interior fabrics. I make mostly cosmetic-type bags and I love their cottons for these.
I shop at Walmart also but the material does not say it is made by Waverly but it says it is based on Waverly patterns.
Exactly! I agree
Feed sacks were made of tighter woven fabric to withstand the strain put on the cloth bag and if made for flour, the weave had to keep the four inside the sack. Remember, these bags were stacked on top of the other, pressed together and they held up so the grain, feed, flour or sugar were not spilled. Spillage means less profit. That shoots holes, and lots of large ones in your old grain sacks idea. Heavy bags were not gently laid one on top of the other, they were tightly stacked by hand,quickly, firmly. The same for when they were transported from warehouse to shops. I taught agriculture, I base
my information on packaging requirements to maximize grain profits.
Use what you have, use what you can afford, use what makes you happy. I have a mixture of both kinds of fabrics. I often use cheaper fabrics to experiment techniques or try something for the first time. I save my pricey fabrics for something extra special. That being said, some of my most beloved quilts were made by my Mama from sheets, her old dresses, curtain scraps, you name it. I would not trade those for a whole quilt shop full of fabric!
When you are suspicious of a fabrics - test it! Hot water on a corner small piece and press against white fabric (I use old tshirts) and see if the color bleeds.
Also - because it's notorious for shrinking, I always prewash flannels.
That's a great rest! I'm totally trying this one. Thank you for sharing! 🥰
The last baby quilt I made, for a boy, I used flannel for the first time. I knew it would shrink, and I thought I was prepared for how much it would, but the biggest problem was the color bleeding. I have never prewashed fabric before, and I did not use a color catcher, but I was in tears because the dark grays bled and made the whole thing look DIRTY! I had not dried it, so washed again multiple times, used OXY, color catcher, everything I could think of, and finally got it better. I gifted it, but kept apologizing. I will never forget that agony, and will have to prewash in future. I will also use color catchers.
I forgot about flannels! I’m right there with you. No prewashing unless they are flannels!
I learned the hard way about flannel and shrinkage. Even though it’s a mess, I always wash and dry flannel that I use for a quilt.
I love the Pioneer Woman fabric. I have made two quilts. None of my fabrics bled at all. Walmart fabrics are less expensive but work wonderful. Happy quilting.
Awesome! Thanks Lona! 🤞 Hoping I have the same good luck with mine!
I love the Pioneer Woman fabric as well. My only complaint is that the fat quarter cuts are not consistent. A few of the cuts were so far off I had to buy extra packs….not that I really mind buying extra fabric. 😂
I have bought the pioneer woman fabrics and have used them in a few projects they wash up beautifully and the projects look absolutely great. I wouldn’t hesitate to use those fabrics.
So good to hear! I cant wait to use these 🥰
This is a great conversation! I’m very new to sewing in general and quilting in particular. Saying that, I generally have used lower priced fabrics to “learn on”. Takes a lot of financial pressure off! When I get better at this skill set, my budget will take a hit.
Great plan Sandra! I'm glad this video was helpful for you 🥰
Great idea! Did the same thing & so glad for it 😁
Disabled quilter/sewist living on less than $700 a month who never knows if my body will allow any activity and who loves all things fabric creating. That's the background for I use whatever fabric I can get my hands on when I can create. Sometimes I'll save to buy specific fabric from a small online or local quilt shop for a special quilt like a friend with cancer or a new grandbaby. Sometimes it's fabric from old sheets, or clothes that I deconstruct when I can't get to the machines. Sometimes it's fabric someone gave me or scraps from garments and accessories I made and of course there's the "cheap" fabric from the big box stores.
Honestly, I usually don't care as much about the where, when or who as I do the creating something and if it gives someone else joy so much better.
I just found your channel from the "Ugly Quiltmas 2022" collaboration and I'm so glad I did. You make really good content that informs and inspires. Thanks for helping make my days a little better.❤️
Thank you for sharing J. I'm really glad that you found my channel. All 11 other quilters in the #12daysofquiltmas challenge are wonderful people too. Keep creating and making beautiful things as you are able to. The world needs more of your beautiful heart in it ♥♥♥🎄
Thank you.
I'm so glad I found this video and all the responses. My grandmother was a quilter and made some real beauties. I'm definitely not a "quilter" but I recently bought a sewing machine and decided to give it a whirl. I've started small with quilted casserole sized hot pads and matching pot holders. I live in a pretty small town and the closest Hobby Lobby is 30 miles 1 direction, the closest JoAnne, another Hobby Lobby and actual fabric shops are 50 miles the other direction. I have access to Walmart basically and was a little concerned about whether or not to buy from there. So, thank you all so much!
When I started, I would raid my grandmother's scrap bin (with permission of course 😊). Now that I'm on my own with a scrappy style, I purchase almost exclusively in fat quarters, and give myself a monthly budget. Once I have enough for a project, that's when I sew. I do have the ability to purchase from mom and pop quilt stores, so that's where I go primarily. I only purchase yardage for backing and white fabric.
My sister, on the other hand, is a much more avid quilter than I am, and has many more limitations than I do. Namely, smaller budget and not as easy access to higher quality fabric. My sis will purchase in yardage on sale exclusively from Joann or Walmart for specific projects.
Finally, my opinion: it doesn't matter where the fabric was procured, how much it cost, or the overall quality. The act of making a quilt alone is an immense act of love, and cost of materials doesn't add or subtract from that. I'll give what I can afford, and will be ecstatic for whatever I receive 🙏
I use Walmart fabric for quilts all the time. I made a quilt for my husbands double leather recliner. We live in Florida, so the quilt is really just for his back against the leather. This quilt get washed all the time. It has lasted for years. It wasn’t pre-washed. I never do that. It hasn’t shrunk or faded. It still looks great. I also made a beautiful quilt with Pioneer Woman’s, I think Sweet Rose, white and red. Love it. PW fabric is is very nice. Walmarts fabric seems to be a little better. I do buy the better fabric, but only if it’s something I really love. I buy what I like, regardless of the store. Thanks for the video.
I buy fabric that I love looking at but also that I love the “feel” of.
Less expensive fabric can be great or not so great. I recently bought a strip set from Walmart and made a quilted bag for my daughter’s birthday. The whole project was under $20. The fabric “feels” pretty good and It is so cute! She loves it! And I have plenty of fabric left for another project.
I also bought a charm and backing fabric from a quilt store and made a table runner that I love. Hand pieced hexagons, hand quilted and cost well over $20.
I’m happy that people are quilting!We are all free to do it our own way with whatever fabric we choose without criticism from others! 💕❤️💕
I have to agree with many others here. Buy what you can afford, what makes you happy and gets the job done. You can find some good quality fabrics at Walmart and other discount outlets as well as bad. You'll know the bad stuff when you see it. people make quilts out of just about everything old sheets, thrift store finds, old curtains, tablecloths, old clothes. Sheets and clothes are usually made of good enough quality fabrics to hold up since they are designed for use. I'm not a big prewasher. If you are using differing fabric types, always prewash because of different shrink rates. If it's all the same type fabrics, I don't prewash unless I am worried about fading. Color Catchers are wonderful. There is no need to break the bank to make wonderful looking, good quality items. The Quilting Marine: "It's only fabric and it's only thread". Enjoy your quilting...that's why you started.
My budget is - have to buy on sale or with coupons - mostly purchase online discount/sale bins. Add purchases to my color bins and shop from my scrappy stash. Never spend more than $5-$6 /yard. Budget quilting can be done.
Yes! I love the "shopping from my own stash" . It would do me some good to remember that more 🤪 thanks for sharing!
I was taught to hand piece and hand quilt from my ex mother In law and her mother and sister. So I've quilted with everything from feed sack fabric,muslin, old sheets, and old clothes. I was taught to use whatever fabric is available to me. I think the new quilt fabric is beautiful but I feel the industry has made it impossible for quilters who are low income like me make the quilts they would love to make because we can't afford the fabrics and notions. It has turned some people who make the quilts into fabric snobs.
There are snobs within any hobby... but you're right. I hope that no one turns you off of doing what you love and I'm glad you're still creating! 🥰🥰
Your so right, I stopped quilting for many years, I took it up again and I was amazed at prices of rulers and notions , material ?? Glad I’d bought a lot of rulers, cutting mats, etc., years ago when I could afford it, June Taylor and Friskars was my go to brand , now they are all coming out with theses new rulers and they are not cheap !
You have to shop around or like one lady said go to thrift store ….I’ve not done that yet !
@@margaretdevries8090 I shop thrift stores and yard sales. A couple of years ago a friend of mine found 2 tubs of fabric for me at a yard sale and it was $20 for both tubs. It was a fantastic deal!
Anything that gets popular tends to be more expensive. Fabric crafts, knitting etc have all enjoyed a resurgence of popularity and hence the price change. I feel like more and more you have to be creative to keep quilting ❤️
@@letscleanhouse that is so true! I have started stuffing the stuffed animals I make with our families clothes that have got holes in them. I cut it real small and it works fantastic. I piece my leftover batting so that I don't waste any of it for my quilts. I try to find more affordable ways to make quilts. My husband is an airbrush artist and it's got too expensive to buy his paints as well. We are trying to stretch our supplies as far as we can until we save up a little to buy more supplies. It's a shame that we have save up money just to buy fabrics and paints.
I love wal mart fabrics ❤️I’m still learning and I don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on one quilt. I have used quilt shop fabrics and Walmart fabrics in the same quilt and it worked fine. Old timers used worn out fabric for piecing and they are still around.
That's a very good point. I'm glad you've found a good balance to make it work! 🥰
One day when I create my “Magnum Opus” (thanks Charlottes Web) I will use some really great quilt shop fabrics. 😂😂😂
@@letscleanhouse ;) ;)
I was raised (and taught how to quilt) to use everything. Old shirts, jeans, sheets, blankets as batting, anything that was cotton was fair game. As an adult…I love buying expensive fabric…it feels so indulgent and luxurious…not the actual fabric but the idea of buying “new” fabric that didn’t come from someone’s rag bin. But I also sometimes feel like I am being wasteful and extravagant for buying something new.
I feel indulgent when I buy at the luxury fabric stores too. I think it's good to make beautiful things with it the way it was intended! 🥰 Thank you for sharing!
Someone has to buy it first!
Moderation is the key!
I've mixed brand new fabrics with cotton dress shirt material and an old cotton flat sheet for a backing! x
To me it's the pattern & color that gets me. I don't mind less expensive fabric, but some of those designs on $13/yd fabrics are exquisite. So I do a mixture of high end and low end fabrics, because of the color and pattern design. I was at the Dollar Tree this week and found a bundle of 5 fat quarters for $5.00, cheaper than most places. Why did I buy 2 bundles? Not because of the price, but because of having patterns that I liked and have been thinking about as a quilt project.
@@marinaabad4995 That “seams” like the best approach!
I love this topic. I have always prewashed my fabric but after this video and reading the comments I will be "set free" to not have to prewash. It will save time too by not having to starch everything afterward. Thank you.
I'm so glad you will be "free" Try it out on a quilt and let me know what you think! 🥰
First of all this is a great conversation topic! I really think Walmart has fun fabric! In the past, I have used flannels and 100% cotton Fabric from Walmart and had poor outcomes when making quilts. The flannels pilled up and the cottons faded quickly. I still purchase Walmart fabrics because they have some darling fabrics; however, I make things like mug rugs, placemats, table runners, or pillows. I don’t use these fabrics for quilts and I keep them separate from my higher quality quilt fabrics. I do realize not everyone can afford quilt shop quality fabric so I think you should sew with what makes you happy. Be cautious and use those color catchers! There are also ways you can test for the color fast in fabrics.
Yes! Do what makes you happy! Thank you for your feedback and sharing your experience 🥰
When I started quilting about a year and a half ago, I started with some holiday jelly rolls from Walmart. I was just starting so I didn’t want to invest a ton of money. My mother-in-law had a bunch of quilt squares her mother had made, a bunch of 9 patches that she had made using fabric from clothing she had made. There were cottons mixed with polyesters, all kinds of crazy 60s and 70s prints. We bought some white fabric to create borders and sashes and I sewed them up and quilted it. Her mom used to use whatever fabric she had on hand. Sometimes it was old sheets, there were squares made from her dad’s old work shirts that her mom cut up and sewed together. They didn’t have a lot of money, so her mom worked with what she had access to. Having worked with random fabrics as well as higher end quilting fabrics, yes the more expensive fabrics are lovely to work with. They cut easily, they hold creases really well and are just generally easier to sew with. That said, I think it all depends on what purpose the quilt will be used for. All fabrics will wear down eventually. I prefer to make sure I use good quality fabrics for the binding since that’s going to get grabbed and rubbed the most, especially by kids and I tend to see most well loved quilts wear out along the edges first. If it’s just going to be a wall hanging or used decoratively for the seasons, you are probably safe using less expensive fabrics as the quilt won’t be seeing a lot of wear and tear. Ultimately, you need to do what works for your pocketbook. I know there are some who get clothing and sheets from thrift stores to use for their quilts. If you have the budget for quilt shop prices, for for it. If you have to be more budget conscious, then get your fabric where you can afford it.
I just adore you! I buy whatever fabric makes me happy. There is fabric that has come from a range of prices. I really don't pay attention to the prices, only the colors and patterns. Now, if I were an expert at piecing and quilting a quilt and I wanted to put the quilt in a show, yes, I would buy the higher quality fabrics, but since I am an average quilter, and this is just something I love to do, I just get what makes me smile!
Love this Claudia. You've got the right attitude - to do what makes you happy 🥰🥰
Very practical advice! Thank you so much. I never prewash either. When I give a quilt, I include instructions for the care of the quilt as well as several color catchers. I also mix different qualities of fabrics to make what I like. In the end, it's the creative process that I truly enjoy as well as the smiles of the recipients! Thank you so much. Looking forward to more of your videos!
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!
I agree whole-heartedly with your entire philosophy! And Hallelujah for Shout Color Catchers!
Hallelujah indeed! 😂 Love those things!
Thank you for your video! Here in Canada, a local Walmart had fabrics and I was really excited! I have to say that the Walmart prices were higher than the fabric stores. I walked away. I recently met someone who found a large bag of fabric at a Value Village discount store for next to nothing; probably someone who didn't know the value of this fabric. Lots of places to look. Thanks again!
I have used denim to quilt when I was just starting.
I also thrift cotton high end xxxl dress shirts, trim off the cuffs, collars, plackets and seams, i square up the remaining fabric and boom - 3/4 yard of useable scrap fabric for $1 on 50% off days at Sally's boutique!
Quilt with what makes you happy with any fabric available even cut up clothes. My Mother taught me to sew a blouse for myself by cutting up one of my Daddy’s shirts. I have used fabrics of all kinds , all prices, and the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy quilting . Love you videos
Thank you! I'm so glad you like the videos. I love fabrics too 🥳🥳
Yeah, most important is enjoying the love, joy and creativity we sew into each project. I think sometimes we can take ourselves, our "process" too seriously, but that is my opinion. 😊 I don't prewash, I buy whatever I am inspired to buy whether WalMart, Joanns or quilt shop. I do the same with sending color catchers with any quilts I gift. While I want to do my best on anything I make, I try not to focus on the perfection of it but the heart of giving. I just found your channel and I appreciate you opening up the discussion as I do think "quilters" can be a little judgmental and a bit of a pressure filled world. It took me a while to feel comfortable in my own quilting skin, if you will and figure out what works for me! And it's so fun and my fave thing to do❣
I discovered your videos a couple of days ago. I'm an experienced sewist, so most of your tips are more like reminders for me than new information. But your tips and suggestions are great! I especially like the way that you encourage people to use what they can afford. Your suggestion in another video that the person find the method that works for them and that is the best method is super. Your enthusiasm and encouragement for people starting on a new sewing/quilting adventure is wonderful. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Debra! I appreciate you watching the videos. Quilting should always be a fun, accepting and positive environment!
Really beautiful line of fabrics, you picked up.
My mom sewed summer shorts and halter tops for my sister and I, out of necessity.
She picked out a lot of bright 1970s calicos (100% cotton).
I'd say most were VIP/Cranston.
She made her own patterns out of brown paper sacks so she was able to custom fit them to my sister and I.
(I was chunky and they always fit comfortably).
She made quilts, doll clothes, stuffed animals, and little matching purses with the leftovers.
She also used the scraps for patches or as a lining for hems to extend our dresses/ coats/sleeves/pants, etc.
So I don't mind the cheap stuff.
I'm very tactile so, of course I love the thick yummy stuff too
What I don't like, is any quilting/calicos that have a cotton/polyester blend.
I hate the stuff with a lot of factory sizing in them, to beef them up/make them feel like they're quality, but obviously aren't.
I love that your mom made so much for you! That's the makings of really good memories 🥰 thank you for sharing!
I made a quilt from this fabric and it came out beautiful. The fabric was one of the best fabrics I've ever used. I actually went back to the store to buy more and they were out. I say use what you can afford. I have gotten fabric from thrift stores yard sales, giveaways. Where ever I can. Quilting is my happy place. Life is hard. Everyone needs a de-stresser without the guilt of going into debt. Do what you love and love what you do.
Oh I would love to see what you created with it! 🥰🥰
I spent many many years using Joanns and walmart fabric bc that was all I could afford. And yet, everyone loved my quilts and was always asking me to make more. I had to take a break from quilting for a couple years due to life circumstances. And when i went to start up again, oh boy had prices gone up!! I found that shop fabric was only about $2yd more than JoAnns. So I started buying shop. I didnt get rid of my older cheaper fabric though. I used it up. I definitely prefer shop fabric, I think its higher quality and easier to work with. But I will buy Joanns or walmart if I the recipient requests a specific theme I cant find in a shop quality. I also buy vintage fabrics and repurpose things like shirts and pants. I also get scraps from my quilting friends and use those. And I typically dont know the origin of those scraps. I make quilts to be used and loved. I tell people, use them, wash them, love them. If they wear out, I will make another one. Do what you can afford. Quilting is a labor of love. Anyone that calculates the cost of the quilt you give them, does not appreciate all the love behind it.
You're so right with this! Thank you for sharing. I do want my quilts to be used
I just bought some of that fabric a couple of weeks ago. I love it too. I usually shop Hobby Lobby fabric when they have it 30% off. I sew a little bit of everything. I have made several quilts for my children and grandchildren. I might make a throw blanket for my daughter with these fabric as she love the pattern. Thanks for your advice.
20 years ago I went into the quilt store and bought enough for a scrappy bedspread. Some fell apart within 5 years like I had to patch in new fabrics. So when our child was ready for his quilt, I was super selective on quality well in the line I chose they were out of one color after searching for it I found it at Joann's. This blanket has lasted 15 years with no issues. Fabric quality is not rated by location or price when purchased. All levels are available in many locations.
I love this line and bought some at Walmart. I like to wash my fabric before sewing. I do put white vinegar and the shout color catchers. Then starch and iron. It’s part of the experience and I like how the fabric feels when working with it. I tend to shoot for the $3.00~$4.00 range per yard. Be Well
I agree with you 100%. It’s more important to actually be sewing and creating than not because you have to save up to buy fabric. My entire kitchen is Pioneer Woman and it’s so pretty and cheerful. I even made valances out of her table runners years ago before she offered fabric. I also love Tilda and Liberty of London but those fabrics are expensive so I can’t always have them. Sew what you love and the love will come back to you!
I am comfortable spending $6 - $9 a yard. I lived the topic but you did not address the subject of shrinkage after washing, which is half the reason I always hot-water precast. Am I wrong tp worry about that? Also, do you need to use many Color Grab sheets each time you wash it?
I know, a year later, but I just stumbled upon your channel, and I love your videos thus far.
I started sewing when I was broke and pregnant. Walmart was all I could afford, (honestly, the remnant bin) was all I could afford, and I sewed on a machine purchased from a Walmart shelf. I got gift cards from Walmart as baby shower gifts and I made my crib bedding from a Walmart collection, it lasted through 3 babies and the bedding is still in good shape. I plan on passing it on to my boys when they have kids. It is about the love of the craft.
You are so so right about that. I love that you used what you had and made precious memories. Those are the best.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! for bringing up the topic of pre-washing fabrics and using cheaper fabrics. I don't know why, but so many other experienced quilters refuse to talk about these things. I have posed the questions to many and I am ignored. As a brand new quilter myself, #1: I don't want to spend a lot of money of high-dollar fabric until I see if I really want to get deeply involved in quilting and #2: I can't afford the high-dollar fabric right now. I've also been asking about pre-washing fabrics and no one addresses this. Ever! I just finished my first quilt and bought a box of the Color Catchers and was planning to use some of those in the first washing. Now, I think I'm going to use several to be on the safe side and will send some along with the quilt for the next washing.
As for the PW fabrics. I love them! The colors are so bright and beautiful and I've really wanted to get some. A car quilt or picnic quilt would be a good use for these. Thank you again for sharing this valuable information/opinion with us. I'm sure all of us newer quilters appreciate it and maybe some of the more experienced quilters will too.
I'm so so happy that you enjoyed this video! I think most people don't answer your questions perhaps because they don't want to be judged or wrong or risk giving you bad advice. There are people with strong opinions and then there are the rest of us who just figure it out as we go 🤷♀️😂 I think adding a few color catchers and doing a comparison for your first quilt is a good idea. If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out! 🥰🥰
Thank you for the information it's valuable. The group(s) that I sew for is grateful just to receive a quilt, and they don't know or care about the quality of the material. Walmart and now the Dollar Tree is great for my quilting.
You are so welcome! I'm really glad you found it useful and yes.... when sewn with love... its all wonderful 😘😘
Though I've been sewing for 50 yrs I only started quilting at the start of the pandemic. At that point the only fabric available was from Walmart online or AliExpress - and I didn't even know if I'd like quilting! So I bought what I could and jumped in. I made a LOT of silly beginner mistakes but I refined my technique on the cheaper stuff by making quilted tote bags and hot pads. Now I am addicted and able to afford better quality fabric but my little beginner projects are worth 10X their price tag to me!
Welcome to the quilting world! I'm so glad you're quilting now too! 😘😘
I've had red fabric bleed on rest of my quilt, and it wasn't cheap, it was Moda, so paying more doesn't guarantee no bleeding. I personally only use high quality cotton for quilting, usually moda or riley blake, but who is to say to others what to use? Especially with life being so expensive right now, not all want to spend a lot on a quilt, I've seen some beautiful quilts made with old shirts, all different quality fabrics. Everyone should do what they want, it's also a learning process and at different stages in our lives we might be able to spend a bit more. I'd say go for it, and I totally agree on using colour catchers, thanks for the video ❤️
Thanks for sharing your experience! I think we become really good at problem solving with more experience!
My favorite line of quilting fabric is Kaffe Collective. The bright colors look amazing with black as the background color so just yesterday my order of 8 yards of solid black 100% cotton fabric from walmart arrived. If I remember correctly the total was only like $25 or so for the entire 8 yards! It is only slightly thinner than the Kona cotton, which makes it easy to needle when hand quilting (I do quite a bit of big stitch with perle cotton thread). I like it so well that next month I plan on buying more in white. The fat quarter bundle that you purchased is gorgeous and I am looking forward to seeing what you make with it. I have already blown through my monthly fabric budget for this month, but if they have more of those fat quarter bundles available next month then I plan on buying one too. Such pretty colors!
Ooh what a great deal!
I have a budget too and have spent a good bit on Kaffe Fassett! Did you know he said his name is pronounced like Safe Asset? I was so thrilled to hear that because I had no idea how to say it!
This is a great video and let’s everyone know to spend what you want ! I’ve been sewing since I was 12 and started quilting 12 years ago when we retired and was amazed and saddened by the fabric snobs I ran into at Quilt Stores and even Joann’s ! The employees were great. I can buy what I want, so I do! It maybe Walmart , Joann’s, HobbyLobby, Goodwill or my local great quilt store! Hobby Lobby has some excellent 108 backing fabrics, I use on all the tshirt quilts I make, love it! 40% fabric sales makes it $7.20 a yard!! Buy what makes You Happy just be creative and your family will love your quilts for decades to come!! Snobs are going to be Snobs no matter what! Have fun and quilt!!❤️
Love that my friend. We will quilt no matter what!! I love that you go to ALL the places!!❤️
Hey Kristin!!! Great conversation. When I started quilting, I bought fabric from Joann and Hancocks (over 20 years ago) because that was closest places near me. Then one day, I purchased some fabric from an actual quilt store… been hooked ever since.
In regards to the quality of it, back then, I’ve learned hard lessons especially when it came to colors running…again before Color Catchers made their debut. Reds, Dark pinks, dark blues and blacks were the worst!!! I had no choice but to prewash back then.
Nowadays, I do not prewash…but like you Kristin, I put in a ton of CC and can’t wait to feel that crinkle goodness.
Thanks for such a great video, see ya next video! - Stephanie
Thanks Stephanie! So glad I'm finding more girls that don't have time for prewashing 😂😂 I was nervous to admit that to the world lol
I am just now reading other comments and as a newbie I want to say Thank You ladies for the wonderful advice you are giving other Quilters. You do not have to pay for the most expensive fabric out there, unless it is something you want.
Do what makes your happy and create beautiful things!
I used to prewash until I'd amassed too much of a collection of fabrics. Then I stopped. There are some modern designers that I want to own all their fabrics. I think the pricing has gotten out of line but then, so has a lot of things the last couple of years. However, I do buy JoAnn's & Walmart. Not all of their fabrics are created equal. I've seen some of them that are every bit as nice as "quilt shop fabric" and I've seen some woven so loosely that you could read a newspaper through. And to be honest some quilt shop fabric is sometimes not the best IMO. But - if you think about the fabrics that were used on quilts made in the 1890s or earlier that have survived, well - they SURVIVED!! So it's most likely that quilts even made from inferior modern fabrics will stand the test of time as well. Quilters should be able to buy what they like or feel like they can afford without any shaming. I will have to live to 100 about 4-5 times to get through my stash (at the rate I'm going) but I still buy everything from precuts to yardage if it's something I really like/want. I invested in an Accuquilt system to help me make my own precuts from my stash. I got some of the PW fabric but I haven't used it yet either. And my last thought is, when you die and none of your children or whomever you leave in your will aren't quilters, it's all still going to end up at the Goodwill - so does it really matter?
I appreciate you sharing your experience. Buying and creating what inspired you is what this craft is all about! 🥰
My grandmother used all kinds of fabrics, cotton, blends, polyester, etc. She was given bags of scraps from a local sewing factory. I loved every stitch!! Quilt with what you can afford thrift store, sheets, Walmart, Hobby Lobby, it matters that you create!
That is awesome!
My grandmother made all her quilts out of clothes they outgrew or that was in my grandpa’s old overalls. They are still around and still look amazing- now, that’s cheap quilting.
Over the past 3 years my sewing projects have taken many twists and turns! I started making masks for friends and family who needed them to return to the work place...mask making morphed into making designer masks and color/pattern matching for single clients and businesses. Walmart was the one place that was open during covid to buy fabric in my area. After making 3000 masks I moved on to making aprons, pot holders, place mats and bags to use up scraps.
I now shop quilt stores, amazon, etsy and Walmart to purchase fabric, matching the quality to the project I am working on. I do not pre wash. My all time favorite project is make twined strips for potholders and placemats.
I enjoyed your video and agree the Pioneer Woman has so many lovely prints at an affordable price!😊
I am fifty years old and also a Texan. I have been sewing since I first got into my mom's stash when I was 3 years old. A desire and talent God put inside me. My maternal family were primarily dressmakers and my paternal family were primarily quilters. I have literally been immersed in sewing my whole life and even worked in fabric stores in college. And I am now in a comfortable place in my life where I can buy any fabric I want. In fact, my stash/hoard testifies to this. Do you know how I buy fabrics? By how they look and feel. I consider myself first and foremost an artist and I am looking at the colors, textures, and prints. Furthermore, I tell recipients of my quilts to expect 50 washes out of their quilt. If they want an heirloom, wash that quilt only once a year. If they want a daily use utilitarian quilt, wash it once a week and expect it to wear out in about a year or so. This is based on my lifetime experience of growing up surrounded by quilts and noting their longevity. The only advice about washing I will give is be consistent. It is best to make a quilt with all washed or all unwashed fabric. The reason why is you will have various shrinkages otherwise, and that will pull and pucker your seams. As for quilt store only fabric snobs, I can testify they are deluded and/or full of crap. Happy quilting. (P.S. I do always wash or pre-steam my apparel fabric because I want clothes to fit the same after washing as it did before.)
I’ve all ready made 2 quilts from that fabric but I get a lot of my fabric from Walmart. The pioneer woman fabric is vary soft and comfy. I made the granny square quilt with mine. Love the fabric. It doesn’t bleed. At all. I do however mixed my fabric with. Scrap bags by Moda. And other fabric I get on Amazon. Cause who can resist. A scrappy quilt
And the 1.00 a yard sale are awesome. But not all ways a dollar have a lot of thanks giving. Fat quarter that I got for a quarter. Haven’t seen any more fabric. That’s on sale. Maybe fourth of July weekend sale will be here soon , but I use that for the back of my quilts. Just finished making 2 more scrap quilts tops. And I practice my quilting. All of you have a wonderful rest of this glorious day and happy quilting.
🤞
So good to hear! Thanks for sharing 🥰
Thank you for your knowledge. My preference is to feel the fabric for a nice weight. When I put so much time into an assembly of a quilt, I want quality weight used in my project.
Yes! That's a really good gauge at fabric quality 🥰 thanks for sharing
Bought some of this Pioneer Woman fabric. I made a table runner. Just love it. I agree with using it on items that won’t be heirloom pieces.
Wonderful! I bet it turned out so so cute!
Where I live we don't have a lot of quilting shops. So all my fabric is bought at walmart. I will definitely not pay more than $9 or $10 a yard. To me $12 a yard is crazy. I used to live in San Diego and bought fabric at joanns, love the remnant sections. Have not had any problems with Wal-Mart fabric so far and I too am not a pre-washer. I like the look if it shrinks a little. That puckered look.
I love the crinkly quilt look too! Thank you for taking the time to weigh in. I'm glad you haven't had any issues!
Hi 👋 I agree and I make quilts with walmart fabric and JoAanns, hobby lobby, michaels whererver I see clearance.
I love a deal too BUT my daughter had the same dilemma couldn't afford quilt shop fabric. I went for a visit and we mapped out lots of quilt shops near her. We went in and asked where bargain basement was. We found some amazing buys. I shop online at pineapple fabrics when they have free or 2 dollar shipping and shop clearance. I have a list of amazing shops 5 bucks 2 bucks. You just have to shop. I'm in houston and my daughter is in Ogden utah.
Years ago, when we were pinching pennies I wanted to make a nice throw quilt for my husband for Christmas. I had put some of his old flannel shirts and jeans in a bag to go to Goodwill and it occurred to me that I could just cut them up and use the fabric to make his quilt. It came out very nice and he still loves and uses it to this day. I personalized it by hand embroidering "Love You Forever 12-25-2005" and by also incorporating one of the pockets off a flannel shirt into the quilt and I put a letter inside for him to read. :) I think the quilt means even more to him because I did that.
This might be the sweetest gift ever. What an amazing idea and a treasure to keep forever.
I am fortunate enough to work at a quilt shop so I can get good quality material but I will still buy cheaper material if I like it. I also bought some of the pioneer woman material and plan on making a outdoor quilt and backing it with a Target sheet. Trust me I have given coworkers heart failure when I tell them I do that. They tell me I’m wasting my time but I disagree.
It isn't time wasted if you enjoy doing it and you love using it. 🥰
I love using sheets as backing fabric ❤️😂
I bought the yardage for a Poppins Bag to match my PW luggage. I get compliments ALL THE TIME!!!!
Ooh I bet that's so so adorable!! 🥰
I'm making a men's dress shirt quilt. There's a thrift store that occasionally has 25 cent sales. So I buy up large 100% cotton shirts. So, cheap fabric that's prewashed but the weave may be a little wonky and inconsistent textures.
Thats a great idea! What a bargain 🥰 Do you find that the quilts hold up over time and wash well?
I love using men’s cotton dress shirts in quilts! My grandbabies get a baby quilt made from men’s shirts when they are born, because the quilt is soft, has a homespun look, and will get washed many times. (I will make them other quilts with themed fabric when they get older). My favorite one was a pinwheel quilt made with pastel plaid shirts for my grand daughter.
I cut out the good parts of the shirts. I think they do fine.
I buy extra large mens shirts in fabric I like to deconstruct and make blouses out of.
Well,🙄🙄 I feel as dumb as a box of rocks, I know where my next fabric shopping will be.
Thank you. You made me realize when I can use lower quality fabrics and when to use higher quality fabrics. I try to use higher quality fabrics but they are expensive, and I would feel guilty when using lower quality fabrics. Now, I can stop feeling guilty. I can use higher quality fabrics when I make a quilt that is important to me, and a lower quality fabric for quilts that are not as important. Thanks again.
Glad it was helpful, Gina! Do what feels good in your heart and don't worry about it. We're all here in the quilting world for a good time! 🤩🤩
Do what you love with what you can afford. I have used all Walmart, Joann’s and quilt store fabric. I think it can also depend on what is the intended use. I for one think the kid who will drag that quilt everywhere will wear it out no matter what but what a wonderful way to have been loved. Better you quilt with Walmart fabric than to not quilt at all. These days everything’s so expensive just do you and enjoy yourself
"just do you and enjoy yourself" - absolutely well said! Thank you for watching and commenting!
I'm 73 and can't afford "the good stuff." I have 2 projects right now: a quilted throw for my favorite chair; and another for a quilting class. I bought pretty Waverly fabrics at Walmart for $6.49 a yard and prewashed them on gentle to get uniform shrinkage. It's sort of mid-quality & fine for my throw. The colors match & are gorgeous. I chose quality Robert Kaufman yardage for the quilting class project at a trusted fabric store, but was able to find a lot of it in the clearance room at half price. All definitely affordable for me. Love your vids. Kalamazoo, Michigan
Thank you! 😘 Sounds like your 2 projects are both going to be lovely!
I buy what I like, & what I can afford! I haven’t seen her fabric line in person, but it looks very pretty! If I was doing a quilt for a competition, of course I would use quilt shop fabric. However, other quilts or projects may not require that big of an investment. I would rather have the less expensive fabric than no fabric at all. The prices are creeping up, just like food, gas, & everything else!
Love your reasoning. Very true! 🥰
I had a freind who had a rummage sale of all of her fabric and I got 50 dollars and got 15 bags of lovely fabric -- she was a quilter for many years and she now cannot due to her arthritis. She gave me lots of tips and I am so excited to start quilting. I have sewed on and off for years. Now I have a new simple brother sewing machine, but I am thrilled to start sewing again and quilts are my new project.
That is awesome! wow oh wow! I bet she was so happy to see it go to a great home 😘 If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!
I love the Waverly fabrics at Walmart. They are BEAUTIFUL! I have a set of aqua that I need to find the perfect pattern for so I can start sewing with it. I agree that people should buy what they can afford. A beautiful quilt can be made from just about any fabric. My sister and I have several quilts made out of polyester fabric that my mother made and a couple of my mother's friends made and we love them just as much as the cotton quilts because it's all about remembering who gave you the quilt. We laugh about the polyester fabric from the 70's but it doesn't make us not love those quilts. They are great conversation starters and we love them regardless. So it really is the thought that counts. If you put your heart and soul into it and spend time on it, people will cherish it - regardless of the fabric.
I agree with you on the Waverly Inspirations. I cannot tell the difference between WI and Kaufman Kona side by side by feel, sight they are identical.
Aw! This is so special! I love the memories you have in the quilts you own and the stories they carry with them! 😍😍
Your comment brought back memories. My grandmother also used to make quilts out of used polyester pants. They were usually brightly colored and I remember helping her finish the quilts by tying knots in them with yarn. Sadly I don't know what happened to those quilts when she died. I think it's more important that we be creative with whatever we have on hand and can afford than it is to get snobbish about where we buy our fabric. I also like Waverly at Walmart and have other inexpensive fabrics from various places as well. If I like the feel and the pattern that's what matters.
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First of all I think you are really brave to tackle this subject! You did a good job of explaining why it’s OK to use what you like and can afford.
Thank you. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little afraid 🤣 but it's a good discussion to have and be encouraging 😉
I think it all depends on what you're wanting to make. If I were making an heirloom quilt that I wanted to last for generations to come, I'd save up to invest in high quality fabrics. But not everything needs to be an heirloom. Most of the time I'm fine with the possibility of it not lasting forever (or willing to repair it), testing a pattern, practicing a new skill, or the final product will not see high use/washing (like decorative or seasonal items). In those cases, I use whatever I can find: old bedsheets and shirts, big box store sales, and fleece blankets for batting. I began quilting simply as a way to use up scraps that I had from other projects so that nothing would go to waste, and that's primarily my main intent in quilting - giving a new life to old things and scraps.
I love this. Thank you for sharing 🥰🥰
Worth also noting. On my bed a quilt my grandmothers made in her 20s lives. Daily. It’s scrappy. She was poor . I can see clothes, curtains and flour sac cloth. It’s survived her life time and now mine into my 50s. Having her work means everything to me. I’d never consider passing judgment on the quality of cloth used before considering the love and work put into this. Quilts are unconditional in their giving of warmth, consoling year catchers when appropriate, crumb catchers of tiny hands and love. I just think they along with any quilt maker deserves the same unconditional respect.
I agree! I love that you have your grandmother's quilts to cherish 🥰🥰
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I don't ever prewash my fabric. When I first started quilting, I bought quite a lot of lower-priced fabric, especially from JoAnn's, and looking back, I have to say that it didn't perform as well as the quilting cotton that I use now, especially due to shrinkage after I washed the completed quilts. But I will say that the fabric that I bought initially was a big part of my quilting journey and it helped me gain experience, so in the long run it was worth it. I do feel there can be a big difference in quality, so I try to watch for sales and specials at my local quilt shop, and online, because as we all know, that fabric is pricier. But everyone should use what fits their budget, and what works for them. That's what our hobby is all about - don't let it break the bank, and be sure it makes you happy!
Wonderful advice 🥰🥰 I love your attitude!
I bought a bunch of them myself for my vintage rv. Im making curtains and etc. They are beautiful. Love pioneer woman
I bet your rv is adorable! 🥰 I could totally see myself in one in another life without kids and a collection if fabric like I have 🤣🤣
As for me I shoot for seven to twelve dollars a yard. If I find a sale, then I buy. Lol. I do like how you do your show, lots of good information.❤️
Thank you for watching 🥰 I'm glad you like my videos
Hi: I just found your video this morning & subscribed. To answer your question, I wash ALL my fabric not once but twice & dry them twice then press them before I cut them. If they are going to bleed, shrink, fade, or tent I will know this before I choose to use them in my quilt top or whatever I am sewing. Yes, I use the cheap when I can get it. lol. Nice video!
How.... How do you do that much laundry?! I must know your secrets lol I can't 😂
Great video. Full disclosure I work for Walmart at the HQ- I am a skilled quilter and trained in garment construction and textiles (BFA in Fashion Design.) i am also a fabric snob but have ordered 81 fat quarters and a bolt of backing to go on this adventure with you. I have worked with some amazing companies and have to say That between Ree and Walmart there are some pretty high quality standards. I was going to get Waverly white for my background and it was not bright white so am going to use kona white and give this a go. I am 100% confident it will compare and measure up to my quilts made with moda and free spirit (quilt shop quality).
Hi Bryan. Thanks so much for your comment! I'm excited to have another skilled artist to do this test with me. I'd love to chat more with you - please email me christen@iseestarsquilting.com
Great video! I use all kinds of fabric. The quilts don’t seem to care. Perhaps they argue when I’m sleeping about who is better. Since I’m asleep, I don’t care. However, I do have a family group project quilt (one of those flower of the month embroidery squares) that I wish we had used “better material”. So I really think your idea of think about the use before you sew is smart. The quilts have said they like us thinking about them😉
Personally, I tend to go by how thick the fabric is. Some of the cheaper fabrics are too thin. But some of them are fine.. So I have used both.
That's a really good gauge to go by! 🥰
Liberty Fabrics from Engand are very thin, but so soft and silky, lovely prints. At JoAnns for $35/yd, OOH LA LA! Even with a 50% off coupon. I'll pass.
Thank you for making this UA-cam. I’ve been only quilting a year but have made over 40 quilts ( I’m retired and have the time now). But I love my quilt shop but like you it depends on the type of quilt I’m making. I like Walmart, Joann’s (on sale) fabrics and I love Michaels fabrics. In Ohio Michaels has four stores which sell fabric by the yard. The sales are amazing.. character fleece was $0.50/yd, cottons and batiks were as low as $2/yd and my favorite 108” premium cotton was $2yd reg price 18.99/ yard. I have not had any issues with Walmart or Michaels fabric. I don’t prewash either. If I have any concerns about a piece of fabric, I cut a quarter and wash it. Thanks again for positing this video.
.... I am amazed at the deals you find! That is incredible! - and so many quilts in your first year! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
I’ve been a quilter for over 30 years, as my hobby. I will buy more expensive fabric if it’s meant to last generations (only twice) or the customer pays for it. Most of the hundreds of quilts I’ve made were baby gifts, I love you, thank you, quilts of valor, tons of charity quilts. I save everything from a crumb on up. If I didn’t buy fabric from Walmart or on sale, even thrifted, there would a LOT of people not snuggling with a quilt right now. My first king size in year 2 of quilting was made by hand for my moms 50th birthday and was cheap fabric because I didn’t know any better nor could I have afforded expensive stuff. She used it on her bed every day for 25 years before she passed, it only has one hole in it and it was from her dang cat clawing at it.
I don’t make quilts so their grandkids have it generations later. If they do, that’s nice. But I make them for that person to have it now, and use it now. Not out it away because it’s too precious to use. So for me, I guess it depends on why you are making a particular quilt. There are no wrong answers. I wish people would stop thinking that. I understand people want guidance, but some answers are so absolute and can be condescending or snotty. Which is not nice. First world problems and all, put it into perspective people. I made NINETY stuffed animals with zipper pocket mouths (monsters, cats, dogs) for 90 kids in cancer hospital. 90% from my crumbs and the other 10% from scraps larger than 2.5” even the stuffing was from my bags of thread clippings and tiny things. I used selvedge edges braided into crazy hair, yarn brushed out as silly mohawks, you name it. They were such happy things. My profile pics is a closeup of a few of them. I guess if I had not used scraps those kids wouldn’t have smiled that day. Wanna know what an anonymous comment was? “Didn’t they deserve new fabric?” So when we use cheap fabric, we might be making the same salary. Or we aren’t wasteful and see something fun and happy in even the small pieces. So be proud. Use what you want and don’t let nay sayers get you down. They may look down their nose at you, but just picture the smile on the face of the person you gave that quilt to. @QuiltsByPamela over and out 🤐 ha, I found an emoji with a zipper mouth too lol
I agree with you!! Dealing with quilt snobs is never I nice experience. Ppl can be ugly. Buy what you like & can afford. Finding creative ways to use left overs & scraps is an amazing thing & very environmentally responsible as well!! Kudos! I see some people online who hate to use fabric left over from other projects but they then choose to donate the left fabric & that’s great too!
Quilting is a precious art born of frugality! We SHOULD feel uncomfortable cutting into a large piece of expensive fabric...quilting is about providing a cozy feeling from found fabric, it is more interesting to make too.
I am a beginner quilter. Still have not made my first one yet. But I've been buying fabric. I buy based on how much I love the fabric. So I have cheap and expensive fabric. Started my first project with cheap fabric for sure. Will use the better fabric when I get better. Love your channel!
Welcome to the quilting world! 🥳🥳 Thanks for watching the video. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!
My Grandmother quilted over 100 years ago, yes I'm old. She live on a farm and didn't have expensive fabrics to use, I still have two of her quilts and I love them. One was less used and looks almost new the other one shows it's been loved. I started quilting last November and have used fabric from Amazon, Fabricland and the wonderful quilt shops that are in this area as well as Jordans and other online shops.
What a treasure to sill have your grandmothers quilts! 🥰🥰
I knew an older lady in Oklahoma (she's gone now) who waited until Spring and bought the floral blankets from Walmart when they went on sale. She used them as her batting and backing to create really warm quilts. I may give that a try.
Glad to know that there are others who do t wash their fabrics first. I feel like it handles better during construction. I have not had a problem with colors bleeding and I usually wash them after finished…gently.
That is great to hear.
My quilts are not for sale, so I use scraps and sheets and love Walmart price range. If my talent was great, I might feel different. Also, my income is only soc security.
I just joined your website and love your comments.I’m 80yrs old quilting a long time before rotary cutters. Basically I bought fabric wherever I could get it. Walmart,Joanne’s,Hobby Lobby etc. always prewashed fabric not anymore. Depending on for whom or what event I am quilting for is how much I will pay for my fabric. I do use color catcher when washing my quilts and woolite or quilt soap. Where in TX do you live I ‘m in Austin. Hope to see you at a quilt show. Happy Quilting, Gloria
Hi Gloria. I'm in Houston. I would LOVE to see you at quilt show! 🥰
I like Moda and Michael Miller fabrics but usually only buy when they are on sale I habe no issue with people using walmart fabric or any other I'm not the quilting police . Quilting is suppose to make you happy so use whatever you want
Love this! Yes 🥰🥰
Hello!!! I too, fell in love with the pioneer woman fabrics at Walmart. I had to have them!!! Not sure what type of quilt I will make with them. I usually integrate all kinds of scraps in my quilts. I don't do pattern quilts. So there can be all different types and colors of fabric scraps in my quilts. But I will say this, most folks have no clue as to the amount of work that goes into making a quilt. I have been making quilts, mainly baby quilts, for decades. I am elderly now and my hands don't always work, so I am slowing down with the quilt making. Ty for your very helpful information!!!
I would love to see what you do with the Pioneer woman fabrics! I'm having a hard time deciding because I see so many possibilities for a beautiful quilt!
I had a friend that used Walmart fabric for her back ground in a king size quilt. After she quilted it on her home machine, she washed it. The Walmart fabric deteriorated. She was devastated. The quilt wasn’t salvageable.
oh no.... that is terrible! 😢😢
Oh...that is SO sad...all that work and it falls apart. I feel sorry for her. Use what you can. Enjoy making a quilt!
Thank you for such good information. My first ever quilt was at a time in our lives that we had no home, (lived w/my brother-in-law’s family). My husband worked on his book writing n odd jobs. Now mind you, we sold our very nice home and quit jobs in a profession w/the thoughts of “he has 2.5 degrees under his belt” and a little savings. I decided to lose myself in my first experience of quilting. I called it “MyDollar quilt”. It grew on me as my inexperience revealed itself so when I say large, it was quite large. I still have it to this day, 20 yrs later. Everything was done by hand and I love it so much. Haha, it’s the kind you take to the beach. 🥰
Thank you for sharing your story. This is absolutely beautiful and I love how you still have your first quilt! 😘