For those of you who have ever been tempted to snap up some of Joann's adorable bundles of fat eighths, I have two words for you: Don't and Bother.
I bought two bundles, eight cuts in each, this spring, intending to use them for my Quilts for Kids project. I don't typically buy fabric other than Kona at Joann's any more, but these prepackaged tone-on-tones were so darn cute they were hard to resist! Once I opened them up and started cutting, though, I realized that there was no way in hell this stuff would hold up to even one trip through a hospital laundry. We're talking flimsy. Cheap, cheap, cheap!
Anybody remember the gauze craze of the mid-70's? Those $3 plaid lighter-than-air shirts that lasted three washes before the seams started falling apart? That's what this fabric reminds me of. Well, maybe it's a little thicker, but not by much.
I paid $5.99 each -- high even by Joann standards -- for, essentially, two yards of $1.99 fabric. I'm still trying to scrub the word "sucker" off my forehead.
So this turned into a "live and learn" project. Purchased totally on impulse, I didn't pay attention to the fabric itself until it was too late; my choices were a) throw it all away or b) forge ahead. I don't like to waste anything (above all, fabric!), so I kept on going.
What few pieces were left over went into the backing:
I used Mountain Mist polyester batting and as a result, it weighs next to nothing. I'm not kidding -- I put it on the kitchen scale, and the entire 50" x 43"quilt (minus the binding) weighs 12 ounces! Given the amount of quilting I put into it, I'm guessing at least an ounce of that can be attributed to thread.
I love Joann -- in fact, she and I have had an extremely long, unhealthy relationship that will no doubt continue for years to come -- but her quilting fabrics (Kona solids aside) are definitely not quilt shop quality, and you really have to be careful with your selections if you want to create a quilt that will last.
I don't expect that this one will.
I bought two bundles, eight cuts in each, this spring, intending to use them for my Quilts for Kids project. I don't typically buy fabric other than Kona at Joann's any more, but these prepackaged tone-on-tones were so darn cute they were hard to resist! Once I opened them up and started cutting, though, I realized that there was no way in hell this stuff would hold up to even one trip through a hospital laundry. We're talking flimsy. Cheap, cheap, cheap!
Anybody remember the gauze craze of the mid-70's? Those $3 plaid lighter-than-air shirts that lasted three washes before the seams started falling apart? That's what this fabric reminds me of. Well, maybe it's a little thicker, but not by much.
I paid $5.99 each -- high even by Joann standards -- for, essentially, two yards of $1.99 fabric. I'm still trying to scrub the word "sucker" off my forehead.
So this turned into a "live and learn" project. Purchased totally on impulse, I didn't pay attention to the fabric itself until it was too late; my choices were a) throw it all away or b) forge ahead. I don't like to waste anything (above all, fabric!), so I kept on going.
It's another UFO checked off my to-do list, and I can find satisfaction in that -- and I really do like the color combination, which is what I fell for in the first place. I just wish the fabric had been better!
Before binding
I used Mountain Mist polyester batting and as a result, it weighs next to nothing. I'm not kidding -- I put it on the kitchen scale, and the entire 50" x 43"quilt (minus the binding) weighs 12 ounces! Given the amount of quilting I put into it, I'm guessing at least an ounce of that can be attributed to thread.
I love Joann -- in fact, she and I have had an extremely long, unhealthy relationship that will no doubt continue for years to come -- but her quilting fabrics (Kona solids aside) are definitely not quilt shop quality, and you really have to be careful with your selections if you want to create a quilt that will last.
I don't expect that this one will.
9 comments:
What a great (top) photo! Did you have to wait long for the cat to show up? They really are nice colours.
It's a shame about the quality of the fabric. The color combination is great and the quilt is gorgeous.
Amen on fabric quality. Even if I didn't work for a quilt shop, I learned, too, that with fabric, as well as many other things, you get what you pay for. Cheap fabric is not good, and good fabric is not cheap!
It's a crime that the fabrics will not live up to your creativity. Thanks for the heads up though. Maybe they'll get the idea that they could sell a lot more to quilters if they stocked some decent fabric. The smaller cuts are perfect, but just give us something we can use.
The colours are lovely. I'm sure someone will adore it while they have it!
well the quilt *looks* awesome!
But I totally feel you. My daughter insisted on a stack of fat quarters from Joanns. I really was just awful quality. I quickly whipped up a skirt for her just so the fabric wouldn't mix with my good stuff!
My Joanns stocks Alexander Henry and Robert Kaufman along with the cheaper fabrics. Love getting those for 40% off.
Kate...
I have the perfect girlfriend for your Archie. She is a chubby (16+ pound) blond with "made for walking" white boots. She has a sweet round face like Archie does and she has heart shaped darker patch of fur on her outer thigh that is shaped like a purrfect heart.
Your Archie is a pretty handsome devil!
BTW... What is your secret to getting those great (nearly perfect) waving quilting lines?
i love your quilting!
Post a Comment