All Fabric is NOT Created Equal

Don't get me wrong I am not a fabric snob.  I am not one of those people who feel that quilts can only be made from 100% quilt cotton.  Nor do I think it is a waste of time to sew a dress out of cotton poly blends.  I am one of the first to buy cheap fabric for beginners to sew on because I don't expect it to turn out perfect and won't be sad about wasted investments.  I am just saying there are fabrics and then there are fabrics.

While recovering from Bronchitis this week I grabbed some fabric scraps to play with.  These are fabric strips that I was given by a friend.  she bought them online thinking she would use them for a quilt.  Then she ended up moving out of state.  I had just thrown the bags of strips in a drawer and not given them much thought.  I thought I would do some chevron strips for a change of pace. 

Well it turns out that the 2"x 4" cotton strips were not actually cotton.  There was a mix of several types of fabrics.  It was not what I thought I was going to work with.  The problem is my friend paid good money for these strips so I am going to make them work.  I've got 5 - 60" Chevron strips pieced and will keep piecing until I use them up.  I just won't be putting a lot of money into the rest of the fabric for the quilt.

So Back to the Topic All Fabric is NOT Created Equal.  When purchasing fabric make sure it is suitable for your project.  I would not make a quilt of sheer fabric anymore that make a fancy dress out of Burlap.  If you are going to use scraps for a quilt use like weights and types of fabric.  My Dad has a quilt on his bed that My Mother in Law made from double knit squares.  That quilt is 23 yrs old.  So a quilt not made out of cotton can last.

Also Let the Buyer Beware,  When I mentioned the fabric strips to my friend, she told me that they had been listed as 100% cotton.  She bought them on EBay, and if they had been 100% quilt cotton and been cut accurately they might have been worth the money she paid for them.  She probably could have gotten her money back if she had even bothered to look at them when she received them.  

I have ordered pre-cut squares on eBay and gotten some good deals.  I've also paid too much for some as well.  But I was fortunate enough to only get good quilt cotton.  My Daughter was not as lucky but still had plenty of usable squares.  When buying online be sure to read descriptions and refund policies.  If using eBay or other auction sites check out the feed back.  It is easy to get taken if you don't do your homework.

Pay attention to what you are buying.  A yard of quilt cotton sells in a store for $7-$10.  Figuring you can get 90 4" square out of a Yard it is foolish to pay $10 for 40 squares.  I realize that the person cutting the fabric should get something for their time but twice the cost is not a deal.  You would be better off buy the fabric and cutting it yourself.  And that way you would know the cuts are accurate.

Remember your finished project will only be as good as your materials and prep work.