Ways To Tell the Difference in Quilting Fabric Quality

Sometimes, the quality of the fabric doesn’t matter. Halloween costumes? Go for the budget fabrics with our blessing. But a handmade quilt is different. You’re going to snuggle up with it. You’re going to wrap your loved ones in it like a burrito. It needs to be soft, long-lasting, and timeless, and that starts with the fabric. There are many ways to tell the difference in quilting fabric quality, so brush up on these signs before you go shopping.

Check the Content

You want 100 percent cotton. Whether you’re planning to sew by hand or machine, it’s far easier to work with than polyester, knits, or rayon. Before you start, you’ll be doing a good amount of ironing, and cotton will stay crisp while you work. Cotton stretches just the right amount. It’s also a natural, durable fiber that breathes.

Check the Thread Count

Your fabric store should have a section specifically dedicated to quilters’ cotton. Those fabrics have a higher thread count than the cotton used for clothes, though not as high as bedsheets. It’s a plain weave with low to medium density—but you’ll notice that the exact thread count isn’t mentioned anywhere on the bolt. Test it by holding it up to the light. Can you see through it? The weave may be too loose. If you use it for a quilt, it could fray and break. Keep looking.

Feel the Fabric

As you spend more time quilting, your fingers will be able to tell the difference in quilting fabric quality. We call the feel of the fabric - its "hand". A quality quilting cotton will feel silkier. The weave will be tighter and more even than other cottons.

Check the Price

You suspected as much, didn’t you? In most cases, higher-priced fabrics are higher in quality. It costs more to make quilting fabric according to the highest production standards. Good qulaity fabrics use premium greighe goods - or unprinted base fabrics. Quality fabrics feel better, resist fading and last longer than discount fabrics.

Can't afford the higher priced fabrics? Buy the best you can afford. If you need to economize fear not! Check the Sale Room of your local quilt shop - they will generally mark down quality fabrics that have been in the shop for a while to make room for newer fabrics. You can also shop garage sales or estate sales to find great bargains. 

At Patchwork Plus, we believe in fabrics with the potential to create heirloom quilts that will outlast you. We even offer vintage-looking 1930s style fabric that benefits from modern manufacturing techniques. Look over our selection and get inspired for your next project.