The Quality of the Quilting Fabric Matters

Posted by F&A TEXTILE on February 1st, 2021

About fabric, most beginning quilters have one of two mindsets that are competing: either they want to plan to use the least expensive fabric they can find and be frugal like thee quilting ancestors or they want to produce something that lasts for long like our ancestors used to do. Hence, most expensive fabric from jelly rolls fabric manufacturer is used by them.  Neither one should take hold of any quilter’s entire quilting career although both viewpoints are valid. On each quilt’s final destination, it is based. 

Quilting reduces drape adds bulk and structure. So for garments where structure is a plus, it generally works best. Think pants, coats, jackets, and bags as well as in some creative cases, it is used. But, in a more elegant garment, quilting can also work. These garments include the dress bodice or a corset having thinner batting, and it can even shine in a drapey garment such as a breezy dress or summer robe when you forgo the batting entirely.

What’s the difference between that sold in dedicated quilt stores and online catalogs and fabric sold in the big box stores? There really is a difference in the quality, and before the fabric was even designed, it starts out. With cloth called greige goods i.e. pronounced gray goods, all cotton quilt fabric begins. Untreated and unbleached, this is basic cotton fabric. The quality can vary greatly and it’s the very base on which every quilt fabric is built. On thread count, it is based.

Thread accounts

You can see threads running vertically and horizontally if you look at a piece of quilt fabric. The thread count is made by the number of threads per square inch. For quilting easy to needle, counts of close to 70 are ideal yet solid enough to bear normal usage. To get the needle through, higher thread counts make it difficult especially when quilting and hand sewing. This fact is discovered by anyone who’s tried to use a sheet for backing fabric from jelly rolls fabric supplier. A thread count lower than 60 must be bought, the fabric will be stretching out of shape even as you sew as well as falling apart and too loose easily.

They tend to be made with a lower thread count as Fabric in the big box stores is less expensive. On the end, Fabric bolts don’t usually carry the thread count along with the fabric width and content, so at the fabric surface, you have to estimate the count by looking carefully. To compare the bolt with, it helps if you carry a small fabric swatch of high quality quilt fabric. The fabric should be good for most projects if the thread count on the bolt looks similar to your swatch. This may be a good choice if you’re looking for an inexpensive way to produce something. The printed jelly rolls china is very qualitative.

a higher thread count is present in fabrics sold in online catalogs and quilt stores, as on selling high quality goods, these places pride themselves. You’ll find looks in the latest trendy color values and fabrics from major designers. As compared to other cost, you’ll also find prices about twice. You’ll pay for the difference although the fabric will work like a dream and will feel wonderful.