How to Buy Cotton Quilting Fabric – Part I

So you're thinking of starting a quilt, but you don't know where to begin. Whether the subject is an existing project or something entirely fresh, this is an important decision to make before going at it alone. That's why I've put together some helpful tips and resources for finding fabric at a reasonable price.

First off, let's get some terminology out of the way. While all quilters will give different definitions, cotton fabric can be split into two subgroups: woven and non-woven. Woven fabrics have multiple threads that are wrapped around each other in a pattern so that they are interlaced with each other in one direction (as seen in cross stitch). They are often referred to as plain weave fabrics because they are not especially "patterned." They can be cut with scissors and come in single color or multiple colors. Non-woven fabrics have one type of thread that is extruded and has a specific pattern to it. This makes then easier to cut, even with a rotary cutter (as seen in applique). They are typically printed with continuous lines of dye, so they almost always require a fabric marker to touch up the lines after cutting.

The biggest difference between these two types of fabric is that non-woven fabrics cannot be torn like woven fabrics can. For example, when you're stitching on linen or cotton canvas, you don't need scissors. The threads are woven together so that thread can pass through. If wearers were to tear it or cut off a piece of it, the threads would just unravel. Non-woven fabrics, however, don't have this structure in the material itself. For this reason, they are often called "fusible" fabrics because they can only be fused with heat.

Now on to where you'll find these fabrics! At first glance it may seem as though there are only two places to go: a fabric store and Amazon (or eBay). However, I've found fabric online for some of my most recent projects from both of these places.

Beginning Quilters often get overwhelmed by the selection at fabric stores. It can be difficult to tell what's good quality, what it looks like when pieced together, or even how much it costs. For this reason, I've taken a few of my favorite online sources for both cotton and non-woven fabrics and compiled them into one place for you.

Walmart sells several quilting fabric lines that are of high quality. It's best to go to their website ( www.walmart.com ) instead of searching for fabrics in the store because there are far fewer options online and the prices are often better from the site as well. They have an online inventory where you can look up the specific fabric you need.

On the other hand, if you prefer to see fabric in person before buying it, Joann Fabric's has a great selection of cotton and non-woven fabrics in store as well. Their prices are middle of the road, but I find their quality to be good for the price. Also, if you're ever planning on shopping at Joann's , be sure to print off a coupon from their website before going (www.joann.com) . It'll save you a few bucks!

If you're looking for vintage or unique prints, check out Etsy ! This site specializes in handmade goods, so most of what you'll find there is not available in stores. Many sellers have high quality photos of the fabric they're listing so you can see what it looks like before you buy it.

Ebay is a great place to find older fabric at a bargain price. In fact, the non-woven fabrics that I used for my "The Shining" quilt came from there (and I got two spools for less than $4.00 total). These fabrics are often one of a kind and the sellers generally do not have any specific recommendations so be sure to check the sales history on the seller before purchasing.

Now you should be armed with knowledge about where to find cotton/non-woven fabric online at an affordable price! If you have other resources or tips to include, please share them below! Happy quilting!

*We've put together a "Buyer's Guide" for Cotton and Non-Woven Fabric that we hope will help you navigate the world of hand-made fabric. You can print it out for reference or bookmark it for future reference!*

A big thank-you to all the wonderful bloggers who have shared their quilting fabric sources in the past! Below are some of my favorites:

For a more comprehensive list, check out this post from My Quilting Life ! You will find many great resources here and on her blog. Her article also includes links to resources outside of Etsy as well! For a full list, go to this page .

Another great resource is The Handmade Quilt Show on Facebook . I've seen a lot of the featured quilts there and they're all gorgeous! They're also great resources for figuring out how to use different techniques in your quilt.

Sew Backwards Blog has provided additional sourcing information as well. You can find it here .

http://sewdailytrends.blogspot.com/p/cotton-fabrics-for-quilting.html

http://watercolorquilter4you.blogspot.com/2012/02/a-few-sources-for-non-wovens_1523015316.html

http://watercolorquilter4you.blogspot.com/2012/02/where-to-buy-cotton-fabrics.html

http://sew4yourday.blogspot.com/2013/07/non-wovens-for-quilting.html

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf172965621.tip3?a=sources%20for%20latex%20fabrics&b=1&c=2

This guide is a work in progress and will be updated as new information becomes available. Please feel free to leave a comment with your own suggestions/resources and I'll add them as soon as possible. Be sure to share this with anyone you know who might benefit from it! If you want to suggest anything specific, please use the contact form below or email me at craftyquilter@gmail.com . Thanks!

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Conclusion: Is there anything to be nervous about when purchasing fabric online? While it can be a bit daunting at first, it can save you a lot of money and time. If you're looking for something specific, shop local and check out the fabric store before purchasing online. However, if you're looking for something unique or just need a little variety in your stash, give the Etsy or eBay option a shot! Happy quilting!

Sources:

https://www.etsy.com/hk-en/shops/OneQuirkShop

http://www.artsyfartsyquiltshop.

How to Buy Cotton Quilting Fabric – Part I

How to Buy Cotton Quilting Fabric – Part I

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