When I taught clothing classes in high school, I knew I had converted a student to the of love of sewing when the student walked around the classroom (we were a considered a lab class, less structured) and judged the new fabrics of other students. They would rub it between their fingers, pinch it or pick it up to study it. All of this would be done subconsciously. They had passed through that portal of recognizing quality fabric from lower grades of fabric. Once you have gone through it, you can’t go back!
For true beginners, I would recommend and urge parents to buy the “big box” store fabrics. For their students “learn to sew” bag, I did not want parents spending $9 a yard…this was a few years back. The “learn to sew” was designed to practice measuring, cutting with a rotary cutter or shears, sewing 5/8″ seams and top stitching a pocket and a casing. And in some cases, it was a difficult lesson to learn. Most of these bags were used later to carry sewing supplies to class and after class was over they became shoe bags in suitcases or something similar. Very few self respecting teens would carry their “learn to sew” bags through the high school halls. Therefore, less expensive fabric was the way to go.
But, after they had mastered the basics and wanted to make something more long term, I tried to steer students and families to the better quality fabrics. Quilts became very popular. Below are some of the quilts made by advanced classes that were exhibited in the Prairie Quilt Guild bi-annual show at Century Two
Photo quilts were very popular and expensive. After the expense of buying supplies to print photos and printing them, one did not want fabric that would shrink or fade or ravel.
The quilters at Quilters at First are proud of the quality of workmanship and of the fabric used in our projects. Thus, we are a bit picky with our choices of fabric. Most, but not all of the fabric used is premiun or quilt shop grade. This fabric is 100% cotton, with a tight weave (higher thread count) and high density printing to prevent shrinking and bleeding. Easily recognized names include Moda, Hoffman, Free Spirit, Kona, Andover, Maywood Studios, Ruby Star Society, Michael Miller and Riley Blake. But check a brand out for yourself.
Specialty fabrics are used for backings such flannels and polyester fleece. When selecting a flannel for a quilt, it is especially important to use a better quality–thicker or high thread count, because flannel shrinks. Flannel should be pre-washed before it is used. Fleeces are cuddly and soft and used on baby, toddler and teen quilts for their feel. Polyester won’t shrink, a major concern when purchasing fleece is that is anti-pill, which usually translates into the more expensive fleece.
Linen, gauze and voile are used occasionally either with cotton or together. These fabrics fray more easily and a larger seam allowance is needed. I am not a fan of using these fragile fabrics.
Thicker fabrics –corduroy or high quality flannel with nap result in thicker seam allowances and attention must be paid to the direction of the nap when assembling the quilt. Quilts with larger blocks or blocks made up of larger pieces are best.
T-shirt quilts or quilts made from worn garments (memory) quilts use a fusible interfacing to add stability to the knit or worn fabric.
If you are wanting know more about choosing fabric, there are many sites online with advice. I would suggest https://www.missouriquiltco.com/collections/fabric-by-the-yard-fby?page_view=1
Quilters at First prefer to use the best, thus budgets require us to shop sales, welcome fabric donations and use every scrap of the yardage.
We have some new treasures to share with you–
This a quilt for a “Princess” or “Sweetheart”. The 48″x57.5″ quilt is backed with a soft pink fleece which shows off the side to side machine quilting. It is hand bound and washable. $100
Rich deep traditional Christmas colors contrast beautifully with the pre-printed panels showing off holiday flowers and birds. The coordinating stripe fabric was used for the backing. The quilt is 70″ x 80″ . It is machine quilted in a holly leaf motif and hand bound. $225
Pealing bells are the sound of the holidays. This table runner in holiday prints is a great reminder of the season’s sounds. The backing makes this piece a 2 for 1 bargain!
14.5″ x 40″ $40
This Fourth of July will be a big one! The USA is celebrating its 250th birthday. So I am sure you will want to decorate for this holiday. We will have several “red, white and blue” table runners in the making. Two are newly finished.
13.5″ x 41″ $40. The backing is a red and white print.
12″ x 39″. $40. The backing is blue with white stars.
This is a “sweetheart” of a table topper. The hearts are machine appliquéd. Tiny buttons create a chain look. The diameter measures 17″. Machine quilted in a cross hatch pattern. $30.
And of course, we just can’t stop embroidering tea towels while watching the latest streaming series.
100% cotton toweling $10 each
I won’t whine about the huge increases in fabric prices when gasoline is $4+ a gallon and a pound of hamburger is $10. These are essentials, and admittedly quilt fabric is an extra. Just want you to know that “no fabric scrap will be left behind”!
Quilts, Etc. 