How bad can it be? Happy Value 100% Cotton from Joann

[@joyl1513]

Because it's super cheap, I buy it sometimes to use for practice projects. If I want to make a new shirt, skirt, or home dec piece that I haven't made before and not sure how it will fit or look, I will use this cheap fabric first to make a mockup. If anything needs to be adjusted, I can do it then before I use the more expensive fabric as the final garment. Alot of people say to use muslin for the practice run, but I use this material as it is even cheaper than muslin.

[@romantictangle]

That's a great idea! I've got a stash of old sheets and don't plan ahead well, so we tend to use the uglier ones if we need to practice a new technique.

[@Happybidr]

Great idea! I need to practice machine quilting but am loathe to use even scraps of my good fabric.

[@AyalaMatherd]

For quilting that could work, good idea. For garment sewing, the old stand by of muslin for a mock up is still my go-to.

[@AyalaMatherd]

@@Happybidrtry buying some soft muslin (Joann’s has several different weights, softness and colors (natural, bleached) and practice with that if you have a coupon for the cut.

[@tricia2701]

Good idea, for mock ups👍🏽

[@terryech9110]

The first thing I do when I bring cotton fabric home …. No matter what the quality … is surge the cut ends. After that I measure it and then put it through the wash on the hottest setting for washer and dryer. I never wash red fabric with anything else since it tends to run on a regular basis. After all of that I measure again to see how much is shrinks. This lets me decide how I want to use it. Loosely woven fabrics have their place in items that will be next to your skin if they have good drape and are soft to the touch. I grew up in the 50’s and my only “fabric store” was the mill end store from the sewing factory. I had no choice but to use some less desirable fabric. I did have a choice in the decision of how I would use it.

[@romantictangle]

You're MUCH more organized than I am! I'd guess that your fabric from the mill end store was better than today's cheap fabric.

[@gloriannburick1837]

My mother taught me when washing new red fabric or clothing always add a handful of table salt to the wash. This will help to set the color so you don’t have bleeding.

[@marysews1]

I zigzag the cut ends of new woven fabrics with my overedge foot and put the new fabric in the correct laundry basket. I wash and dry new cotton fabrics three times due to shrinkage. I prewash all other new fabrics once due to manufacturing chemicals and dirt from being handled.

[@catriley2004]

40 years ago I tried my hand at a quilt for my then new baby. I had very little money and I bought fabric at Walmart. It was very pretty and very scratchy. I made the quilt, she used it as a baby. She brought it back to me years later and asked me to put a softer back on it! I learned to quilt finally in 2013 and use much better fabric now that I know better. Thanks for the heads up about this new offering at Joann.

[@FaithfulQuilter]

It’s good for wrapping rope for rope baskets

[@Mrs.T.Rusch25]

It does say "best for craft projects". It's perfect for Ornament Girl no-sew ornaments. Look them up

[@juanitawithrow6867]

Maybe you could use it as a basket liner, cover a box or make a fabric garland. It could probably be mod-podged onto something like a wood or cardboard shape. I certainly wouldn’t use it for sewing

[@christajennings3828]

Fabric garland or wreath is a good idea.

[@e.keesey]

You could use it as an additional (inside) layer in hot pads or placemats. Just make sure the seams capture the edges or it's bound well. It could be used as garage window curtains. Just spit balling here.

[@melissa.martin]

I purchased some of this because someone requested a purse with cats.. it was super thin, but I just interfaced it with decovil light and paired it with some vinyl and it worked great for what I needed.

[@SirtriReyes]

It might work for applique. I used it for curtains where I wanted sunlight coming through.

[@lisaolson1345]

Your review was enough for me to say pass,thanks for making this. I actually hit an online 60% off sale recently for moda and Riley Blake fabrics. Superior quality for only $5.00 a yard,the patterns were fall themed.

[@romantictangle]

Fantastic! Can I ask what site you bought from?

[@lisaolson1345]

Happy little stitch shop.

[@lplp8529]

I’ll purchase and use with heat n bond lite for applique 😊

[@elizabethhollingsworth7226]

I could see using it to make a kid's costume for a play or project presentation - a one-time use garment.

[@debng3210]

Thanks for the review. I agree that there are better options out there for the types of sewing and crafting projects I typically do, so you have saved me the trouble of checking this out personally.

[@romantictangle]

Glad I could help!

[@dianelouise3944]

I might use it for something that I can sew up quickly or something I anticipate getting stained soon. I’m thinking a simple market bag that I can sew up quickly, simple potholders, a bag to hold my plastic bags or vacuum cleaner attachments. I would also use it for my first try at making something to make sure I like the dimensions I came up with and the way I’m constructing it

[@Karen-ru4tv]

Would be OK for a sample block you make to check pattern directions and size before jumping into a whole quilt.

[@katehenry2718]

BEcause it ravels well, rag quilt comes to mind.

[@lcsd863]

It says craft fabric. Enough said.

[@theREmissionary]

I used some of that $2/yard fabric, the yellow gingham, for curtains at our cabin. It's pretty flimsy, but it works OK for camping curtains. I washed it first and lined it, because it was SO thin! And you're right, it does fray pretty significantly. I don't think I will use it for anything else -- oh -- I forgot. I cut out a couple of bowl cozies from it for the cabin too, but I haven't made them yet.

[@romantictangle]

That sounds PERFECT -- and very pretty! I'd consider it for some curtains I need to sew, but those bright colors wouldn't go with the existing wallpaper. (My plan is cheap white sheets. That's what Grandma always did.)

[@christajennings3828]

​@@romantictanglethrift store sheets, especially when they are on discount that week, for the win!

[@darleneblakely7726]

Maybe wash in hot water and hot hot dryer to shrink the fibers. The weave might be tighter.

[@AmyLouiseDens]

I'm guessing the low price has more to do with its sweat shop origins. Not sure. If I'm willing to spend my time making something, it's worth it to me to purchase something that isn't going to deteriorate after a few washings. Ask me how I came to this conclusion

[@romantictangle]

I hadn't thought of where and how it was produced. I wonder how that compares to their other fabrics....

[@jessicasmith9506]

I asked the ladies at My Joanns what their option of it was and they said they were told it was not to be on your skin. Makes wonder what was done to it.

[@romantictangle]

Yikes! It definitely has lots of sizing in it.

[@MispelledOnPurpose]

It still looks better than the fabric that I got from temu.

[@AyalaMatherd]

Great video! I do the same thing, check the sizing and weave DPI, thickness of the threads etc. I usually use quilt shop fabrics and apparel fabrics, but I’m not against using Joann fabric if it passes my tests. I would make a holiday garland with the red and another budget/scrap green, make little bows, florets etc. you could use acrylic medium/modge podge to seal the ends or stiffen the fabric. Silver and white could be cut up into snowflakes ❄️, mod podge them until sealed and set up. Also make strips and use some of the colors for fabric gift bows around the wrapping paper (perhaps sew or glue some sparky ribbon down the length of the cut strips for the gift wrapping bows).

[@lazygardens]

My home ec teacher showed us how to detect sizing by rubbing the fabric against itself, scrubbing as if you were removing a stain. Sizing shows up like powder or flakes.

[@jeniferalvarez2914]

I tend to look down that isle, but never touched it. I think for a sewist with experience these fabrics would be fine for testing projects for cheap.

[@Katnip7770]

Tea towels. Thin cotton ones absorb water well.

[@Katnip7770]

Wash the first few times with vinegar in the rinse to be sure that all the sizing is removed.

[@SK-ki1te]

I would use for curtains in my laundry room or kitchen. I hope my Walmart carries this. Thx!

[@krisqueen5939]

It was joanns

[@romantictangle]

It should work well for inexpensive curtains, but they'll be fairly sheer.

[@elizabethbordman6964]

Costumes for theater or playtime or halloween? Curtains? Rag rugs? I've seen this so many times at Joanne and wondered if I should try it. Thanks for doing the hard work for me lol :)

[@romantictangle]

Those are good ideas. For curtains and rag rugs, I'm more likely to use thrifted sheets.

[@parkersnowe]

I would only use it for rag rugs if I had absolutely no other choice as there are so many other options for rugs.

[@ithacacomments4811]

I went to JF last week to pick up 2 yards of a cotton holiday print to make a small tablecloth and napkins. $12.99 a yard! Luckily, the yardage was 50% off.

[@heavensmountains323]

I would use it for making bunting.

[@triplewinlin5576]

That's what I did, in coordinating prints and colors for a baby's room. Came out great!

[@susanszymanski4244]

I use this fabric for rag quilts. It’s perfect because I don’t have to take a knife to it to get it to rag better.

[@froesfamily335]

It looks fine and who knows why it is on sale so cheaply but you’re not out much. For a good old everyday quilt for someone in need it would be a blessing.

[@bhquilter]

I don't waste my time using inferior materials. Good fabric can be found for less than quilt shop prices. It won't be a blessing if it falls apart when they try to launder it. 😢

[@froesfamily335]

@ some of us are on very low budgets. None of my quilts have ever fallen apart on the first wash. I use what God provides and bless people in need with what I can. Giving quilts has changed some people’s lives. Earthquake victims, foster kids, lonely grandmas, grieving friends…

[@rachelburgener819]

@@froesfamily335👏👏👏 I totally agree with you. God bless your efforts🥰 🙏🏻✝️❤️😀

[@krisqueen5939]

​@@bhquiltermost homeless do not launder they toss and get a new blanket if they keep it that long.

[@krisqueen5939]

​@@froesfamily335good on you 😊

[@sandrakendrick176]

You can feel the difference in good quality fabric.

[@calamityjenn]

I've used it for book binding. I couldn't imagine having it touch my skin, though. It's just icky.

[@brendagriffin6437]

I am selective on what fabric I pick up from Joann's. Just be selective and it depends on what you are doing. Many years ago, I was new to quilting and didn't know better. Things I made back then lost their shape, shrank, faded and just wore out too soon. So, I now buy quality quilting fabric because the quilts I make now I am hoping the recipients will keep as an "heirloom". I did recently, however, purchase their Cotton Canvas fabric to make Roman shades. (it has Canada/US printed on the selvage) It was on sale for 4.99 a yard. And the Warm Insulation was about $34. on sale for $22. a yard. I did one shade to see if using that fabric, along with their Warm Insulation Fabric, was worth the money and time. It worked out well. I made 16 Insulated Roman Shades. Then, I helped a friend do 8 for her windows. The Blizzard Fleece is a good value if you are interested in making hats/scarves/ no sew blankets. Pre-Wash your flannels as they shrink a lot and use a Color Catcher to suck up any running dye in the washer.

[@romantictangle]

Twenty years ago, the "cheap" fabric at Joanns was a lot better. I've been surprised at how well some of the quilts I made with it held up compared to other quilts that used quilt shop fabric. Your Roman shades sound like an ambitious project!

[@dotjohnson4247]

I find some real pretty Jungle fabric in Dollar Tree! I have two stores in five minutes away from me...but I went to several stores and I found enough fabric to do I wanted to do - a leaves, flowers & butterflies fabric, basically the same fabric in smaller print with leopards (eyes are weird, but I will be mostly be to use the plants print with some leopard and not head or eyes), and then a white with black dots backing and Toucan and Parrot(?) Birds on a leaves & flowers branch.

[@romantictangle]

I think I've seen that print. I'm glad you found enough for your project!

[@dotjohnson4247]

If it is the Craft fabric, the JoAnns employee told me never use it for quilting...

[@PiNkSpRinkLe1]

It's thin and shrinks when you starch it. The only fabric safe to buy at Joann is Kona.

[@romantictangle]

I love Kona for backgrounds and sashing.

[@merralindagoddard9530]

Thanks for the info 😊

[@megadylanthomas]

I bought it to mock up some patterns to sew in other fashion fabrics when perfected. It was awful, stiff, no amount of washing ever improved it and it had no drape and I wasted considerable time using it. I still feels like it is full of sizing and I washed it 3 times, the last in HOT water to try and remove the sizing. I’ve come to the conclusion it is the fiber, and inferior cotton, if that’s even true. It feels like straw.

[@TheLadybughug]

Great video. Did you not baste it before washing tho?

[@someoneoutthere2159]

This is why I don’t buy fabric at Joann’s anymore 😢

[@romantictangle]

I don't buy much fabric there anymore, just Halloween prints when they're on a good sale.

[@someoneoutthere2159]

@ Yep I hear you. Most of what I buy is name brand fabric online. Sadly there aren’t many good fabric/quilt stores around where I live 🥺

[@lisacarpenter8849]

I found this at my local Joannes didn’t know it even existed been a quarter for 30 years. I’m not sure what you would use this fabric for. They have it totally separate from the other cotton materials, which is a good thing so people don’t think that it is a quality product. Not sure why Joannes would go. This route. Walmart material is 100% better than what this material is.

[@romantictangle]

That's the one good thing I can say about it -- at least it's clearly labeled as being for crafts.

[@kellyjames516]

Great ideas in the comments! Thanks folks

[@romantictangle]

I'm loving all of the ideas! This should help me figure out how to use some of the questionable fabric I've collected over the years.

[@KawiLover250]

I wish you would have tried sewing something with it

[@theirmom4723]

That would make good ragging projects

[@juliecarrolltontx2948]

Sadly Joann’s quality has gotten so bad over the past five or six years. I have old fabrics from them that are such good quality compared to now. Their fabrics use to come from India and Indonesia but unfortunately they are now mostly from China. There is often white dots on the fabric where the dye didn’t take. I think that’s why their probably loosing designers like Susan Winget. I have also been very disappointed lately with Moda as well as their dye batches often are so poor that when you buy a yard from one place and then another the fabrics don’t match at all or it appears scuffed. Even William and Morris fabrics have gotten super pale and cheap. Riley Blake is my 100% favorite fabric. I can buy it anywhere and the dye batches are always perfect. The color is always a nice rich color and it’s always a nice thickness. I’m obsessed with Lori Holt. If your not familiar with her you are missing out! Kaffe Fassett is another one that usually has a good consistent dye batch.

[@bookmaid1]

I purchased it for cosmetic bag linings. I used it for one bag, I do not like it at all, it feels super cheap, it sews sloppy...I donated the remainder

[@saundraweed9738]

Only if you are going to glue it to something that will never touch water.

[@bathens4971]

Their fat quarters are awful too, for quilts

[@lorraineziolek4651]

a rag quilt?

[@romantictangle]

Maybe -- but for a project like that, I don't think I'd be buying brand new fabric. It's definitely a good idea for what I already bought, though.

[@darlenepalmer9837]

I stopped buying from them. So has many of my friends. There going under soon.

[@UsernameUnkwn21]

The 2$ cotton is garbage but their premium cottons are really good

[@romantictangle]

They are, but the price keeps going up and up. I miss the days when fabric was more affordable.

[@krisqueen5939]

Pot holder's because they get used and tossed.

[@christajennings3828]

Really? I wash mine regularly.

[@jacquieskipper4907]

Use it to make a toile.

[@romantictangle]

Wasn't familiar with the term so I had to look it up. It would be great for that.

[@joanngreen7059]

I wouldn't buy it

[@romantictangle]

Honestly, I only bought it to satisfy my own curiousity. And to makea video. :-)

[@patricianewman5233]

Looks like what bought from temu. Worthless

[@romantictangle]

I had no idea that Temu sold fabric! Actually, I know next to nothing about them. I wonder if Joann is sourcing it from the same manufacturer?

[@patricianewman5233]

@romantictangle could be. Mrs quilty was selling the same fabric in their first boxes. The fabric I bought was totally ridiculous. Bought fat quarters, 10 inch squares. See through the 10 inch squares. Go on and look so you will be familiar with patterns. Be blessed

[@suekelly840]

I was disappointed in this video. Why didn't you make some basic quilt project out of it to show how it pieced together, quilted, and then held up after repeated washing? Your "ick" test isn't enough.

[@CraftHarlot]

Using poor quality fabric is a waste of your time and effort. You don't need to use high end fabrics, but this stuff is just junk.

[@suzannakoizumi8605]

Nope Save your money.

[@kebhMI]

It's so bad. Must be serged industry. Hand feel is horrible. Bleaching removes the design.

[@jenna2431]

Joann fabrics are all crap.

[@et1016]

It’s terrible!!

[@marymoore3585]

Yeah. It's trash.

[@joscreativewanderings]

Thank you for your honest opinion. Personally I don’t know what you would do with it, especially since the ironic thing that happened to me is that when it first came out both managers of my Joann’s showed it to me and quickly told me to stay away from it 🫣😆🤣 One feel and I agreed. As you said there are so many other affordable options available. Hobby Lobby’s fat quarters are $1.49 each and all of their fabric which I think is good quality is 40% off every week.