Quilting 101: How To Choose Quilting Fabric

#beginnerquilting #howtoquilt #howtosew
Hey guys! I hope you’re enjoying my Quilting 101 series. Today we’re talking all about fabric! I’m going to show you all about pre-cuts and yardage, share what I like to buy. And then I’ll share some of my favorite places to get my fabric too!
Links mentioned in video:
Visit my blog post to enter to win the North Woods F8 Bundle!
tinyurl.com/QuiltingFabric101
For more details on some of my favorite designers and shops check out this post!
tinyurl.com/AllAboutQuiltingFa...
*** SHOP ERICA'S SEWING FAVES HERE! **
www.amazon.com/shop/ericaarndt
Have an idea for a video? Make sure to leave a comment below!
Find more at Confessions of a Homeschooler:
Website: www.confessionsofahomeschooler...
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Disclosure: Fat Quarter Shop sponsored the giveaway for today's video. All opinions expressed in this video are my own and were not influenced by the company or complimentary product provided.

[@susanpage9584]

I’ve started watching you lately and I hope to get over my fear of quilting. I love watching you. Thank you.

[@lauriejames9144]

Erica,you are quite generous in sharing many tips that new quilters need to know. You are very appreciated by me. Thank you!

[@ceolaballard4646]

I love all your videos. I found them helpful for a new quilters

[@rebeccanewell4385]

thanks for sharing your experience and insights. I've been sewing since I was small, but quilting is only the last three years. I'm just now getting around to using harder patterns. thanks for sharing

[@fabulousmarilyn3.088]

I really appreciate you talking about the cost, just detail most tubers do don't that, describing the different bundle, glad I found you, did I say that..thanks so much again. Great information for a newbie, just great.

[@toniysmith1]

Erica, I am new to quilting and your videos are so helpful. Thank you.

[@debbiereed8017]

I’m new and just got a nice fancy quilting Baby Lock machine for my birthday in November from my husband..... I’m studying videos to learn and yours are nice and detailed, so helpful! I literally knew nothing about quilting but we bought a large cabin with 13 beds 🛏 and I had trouble finding the kind of bedding to really make these rooms pop! I am so excited 😆 thank you Erica!!! 😘

[@Quiltycrazy]

I’ve been quilting for six years now. Love your videos, always learning new ideas and information (even at 66)!

[@dentmagic426]

REALLY appreciate the explanation of the different packs of material and the value of each. Also the suggested amounts of yardage is helpful. I find myself using a lot of white as well and did not really think about the varying shades...great advice.

[@lindadrewl]

Thanks for all the information, I am just getting started in the quilting world and your channel has what I am looking for. I will continue to watch more vids so I can at least have more knowledge before I make the first project.

[@springtime335]

I just discovered you channel. You are a great teacher! I am a beginner to quilting and you answered questions I had before I even knew I had them. I subscribed and look forward to more videos and attempting a start on my quilting journey! 💕

[@kathyrice7461]

You are a great teacher and adorable as well - love your hair. Thank you for explaining everything in such detail. I enjoy your tutorials so much. Thank you and God bless.

[@maureenmccarron5272]

Kathy Rice dde

[@anneericsson8755]

Great tutorial Erica👏🏻I sent it to my sister as I taught her how to quilt this past summer.

[@susanlee1827]

Look at that baby girl 💕💕💕She’s such a grown up now!

[@carifoster4928]

Thank you for these quilting 101 videos. I’ve learned so much about quilting. My quilt top was already pieced but have been procrastinating on quilting it because of unsuccessful quilting experiences in the past. Now that I know how to baste properly and have the proper presser foot, I’m excited to get started. The thing I’m nervous about is how fast to move the fabric when free quilting.

[@sutela2060]

Thank you so much for your good tips🙏❤️ totally new in quilting

[@donnasmith5709]

you are one of my favorite ladies to watch on u tube you are a great teacher so easy to hear and you are very sweet lady keep up the good work i like the way you explain whats going on as a matter of fact i learned how to measure and cut my fabric from you i watched a ton of videos for that and yours was the best keep on making those videos god bless you and thank you

[@erica_arndt]

Awe, thanks!

[@FabielleBacelar]

Hi Erica! I find your videos last nigth and fall in love! Thank you ! I'm from Brazil! kisses

[@lucindamatte9621]

Erica, your tutorials are a God send to me. I watched your mask masking one. Between my neighbour's and my self we made 105 masks for Hartford hospital. I hadn't sewn since 50 years ago. Now I am watching your quilt making tutorials. This has helped me during this trying time. Hope you and family are safe.

[@erica_arndt]

Wow, that's so great, I'm sure those workers were blessed by your generosity! :)

[@larisamadolimov9130]

seriously?

[@kuiredeagle5377]

Thanks for quilting info. Makes sewing much easier.

[@lyndapierce2333]

Hi Erica,I just found you on you tube,and so glad I did.I have been watching a lot of tutorials and am thinking of starting quilting.I am so grateful for all the information about buying the different types of pre cuts,I was pretty confused about that ,so your tutorial was perfect timing for me.Thanks so much for sharing. Lynda from Chase BC

[@erica_arndt]

Yay! So glad I could be helpful! Hope you enjoy it :)

[@susangenry6497]

I go back over your tutorials a good bit, making sure I click like button, but seeing if I missed something along my journey with your talent!,

[@erica_arndt]

Thanks so much!

[@audreyderby5926]

Your information videos are great...! Your prices are awesome. I’m in Canada, so our prices are waaaaay more. Makes me think Canadians are a bit greedy....I know our dollar is worth less than U.S. but the difference in prices are way worse than the actual difference in our dollar! Thank you for taking the time to help us out!!

[@nancystorer4675]

You always have great ideals . Love your tutorials. And your cat

[@fatimalima542]

Hi Erica,I’m new to your channel and new at quilting and I enjoyed your video very much and your quilting ideas and patterns thank you for sharing also your daughter did a great job kudos for her and you for teaching her 🌻👍

[@JeannetteShoreland]

I am impressed with your range of information. Thank you.

[@michelem5524]

This was so helpful!!! Thank you!

[@annamarieh333]

Wow your 7 year old daughter made a quilt! She’s so cute! How talented you both are!

[@sharonc1282]

Just found your channel! Love your quilts, you do beautiful work. I am still relatively new especially with FMQ; so, I hope you have demonstrations on blocks and FMQ. So, glad I found you, I look forward to more quilting videos. (Your daughter was adorable! I have an 8 yr old granddaughter that I would love to introduce to quilting. ) Thank you!

[@erica_arndt]

Yes, I will be having a FMQ video coming soon!!

[@KetogenicKim]

Perfect 👌 video series. Your daughter is precious 💛🌻☺️

[@Mysticalgeni]

Good videos. I have an online group and have shared for my new quilters. Thank you

[@loribernard5144]

Thank you for the great information!

[@carriecoy2714]

Appreciate that you promote small, independent fabric resellers, not the well-known big box chains.

[@janetehoffman]

Your daughter is adorable. Thank you for this video.

[@racrx7]

As a newbie, I am enjoying your 101 videos. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm craving Little Debbie Jelly Rolls now :-)

[@bettyryan6529]

I really like to watch your tutorials. Very informative. Great teacher. I have a ? In making a quilt to use on your bed, and think about having to wash this quilt. When buying fabric, with this in mind, we can't prewash any of the precut fabric, because it would ravel, so I would probably have to buy fabric by the yard. Suggestions please! Thanks.

[@erica_arndt]

I buy fabric based on the fabric requirements for the pattern I'm making, that may or may not be pre-cuts. I do NOT prewash my fabric at all. After I'm done making my quilt I will wash it with a color catcher to prevent any bleeding and you're good to go!

[@unabrunner337]

Fat Quarter bundles might seem expensive, but I can get several lap or single bed size quilt tops out of them, by adding fabrics from my stash and/or using a background colour. It often depends what quilt designs I use.

[@GraceFilled]

I am loving these quilts and videos ....I am so happy you share with us something that you love so much !! I haven't tried quilting yet but I most certainly plan on it hugs :)

[@erica_arndt]

That's awesome, just a warning it can be a little addictive ;)

[@saravanapavansooriyalekha1865]

Ethnic Green Living

[@saravanapavansooriyalekha1865]

Ethnic Green Living

[@breesstitchingstuff6710]

loving your videos! super jealous of you stash!! lol have a great day

[@ranasha5317]

Very nice information thanks

[@annwitten4359]

I'm doing the mystery block of the month too! It will be so much fun to see what we get and share it on Instagram. :)

[@juliebeber5118]

Great info thank you. I LOVE FatQuarter Shop :)

[@karenkoutsoumbaris6308]

So nice to see your daughter is sewing, mine never wanted to

[@fabulousmarilyn3.088]

Beautiful quilts

[@barbarap3989]

Hi Erica, your videos are great! i have a question: did you prewash your background fabric from the bolt? Thank you

[@erica_arndt]

Hi! No I never pre-wash my fabric :) Who has time for that? LOL! You need to pre-wash if you're making a garment because it can shrink and needs to fit a person. But for quilting I don't. I DO put in a color catcher to make sure colors don't bleed for the first couple of washes. And you may want to pre-wash flannel if you'll be mixing it with other fabrics because it can shrink quite a bit. But I've also NOT pre-washed my flannel and it's been fine :)

[@christinaannettedixon4429]

Loving you're videos. Can you tell me the differents between Embroidery Machines and a sit down long arm or can you do both things the same.

[@erica_arndt]

Hi Christina, I believe that embroidery machines are usually computerized and you can input the design you'd like and it will stitch the design for you. The sit down long arms are more for quilting and you do the design yourself by moving the handle bars in any pattern you like. I also use my own home sewing machine to do free motion quilting and it's similar, but instead of moving the machine by using the handles, you move the quilt itself underneath the needle to create your designs.

[@jeannebrinkman8889]

Great inspiration ❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️

[@Pheebs77]

Wish I could get the vintage picnic bundle now 😢

[@trenaoquinn753]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@bettyryan6529]

Thanks for your comment.

[@lenaharris3812]

thanks for sharing

[@gr8fulgirl7]

Thank you for all the helpful info! Your daughter did a fabulous job! My youngest just turned 8 and I was thinking she was too young to start, but I see I might have her start trying. Are there any sites or videos you used to get your daughter started? Thx **~Karen

[@erica_arndt]

I've mostly just sat down with her and helped teacher her myself. I think it's hard for them to watch a video and sew at the same time. I think using 2.5" or 5" pre-cut squares and having them just do a simple patchwork quilt is the best way to learn basic skills and create something fun at the same time :) I love the Missouri Star and Fat Quarter Shop tutorials, that's what I mostly watched when I got started :)

[@sheliagage2227]

Luv your video

[@pamketron]

How long have you been quilting and how long did it take you to have such an amazing stash of fabric? Seems you have your very own fabric store!! Your quilts are gorgeous. What do you do with all your quilts? I have never made a quilt and would like to make a small one to start with but I don’t even know where to begin. I sew a lot of things such as bags, iPad cases, purses, etc in this kind of things. I would need to start with some type pack for sure. One thing as you were talking about the fabrics, are these fat quarters cut pretty straight? I have purchased individual fat quarters and they are never cut very well. Thanks for your time. Any suggestions on what I should try and make first? Something smaller than a full quilt for sure. I have made fleece baby blankets that I sew binding around the edges. I would have trouble getting those triangles sharp and pointed so I need your help in deciding which size of precuts. Thanks! I sure do appreciate any advise and help.

[@495charlene]

Ok...I am so in love with your channel and your blog! We are starting to homeschool in the Fall so I fell in love with you just from that...but now...you are my hero!! I am getting ready to purchase my very first sewing machine. I don't own one bit of material lol but I see that won't soon be the case lol. I just watched some other videos about quilting and now have some questions....so when you make a quilt..once you are finished, you have to take it to a long arm quilter for the backing to be put on or do you do all of this yourself? Does this require another machine?

[@erica_arndt]

Hi! Yay, I'm so glad you've been inspired to start! As far as quilting goes, you can take it to a long arm quilter and have them do it for you. But I do it myself on my Juki G-210. It's totally possible to do it with your home sewing machine, I would just take a minute to watch my video on choosing a quilting sewing machine for tips on what features to look for. Also if you follow my How to Quilt series of videos I'll be showing you how to quilt your projects :) It's a lot less expensive and probably one of my favorite parts of quilting! I also have a DIY Tic-Tac-Toe tutorial and a few book cover tutorials that cover most of the basics of straight line quilting and binding if you want to check that out now. But keep an eye out for my FMQ tutorials coming soon! :)

[@dianelambert9472]

Hi Erica, I am a fairly new beginner quilter and watch a ton of you tube videos on quilting, I don't know why but I really struggle with cutting fabric. I guess my question to you is, when I get my fabric home from the fabric store and begin a project and start to cut, is the rule of thumb to always have the salvage edges together let's say at the top and the fold at the bottom on the mat? Does that hold true for cutting fat quarters as well? Thank you for any help you can give me on cutting fabric.

[@erica_arndt]

I typically do that for yardage. But for fat quarters or other pre-cuts I do not do that. I just lay the entire FQ down and then trim one edge, then turn it and use that as my straight edge for the rest of the cutting. Hope that makes sense!

[@1thess416and17]

Love your vids. Went on etsy to buy from stitches 'n giggles, and nothing comes up?

[@erica_arndt]

www.etsy.com/shop/stitchesngiggles4U

[@dove111]

These bundles are so cute, they do remind me of little cakes 😊 I'm getting hungry 😉👍

[@missym5440]

This was a great explanation of the different cuts of fabric offered today. I was looking at some quilting info today and came across something I am not familiar with. I saw a picture on Riley Blake’s website of a “fat eighth panel” and it shows about 8 different fabrics in the image. It looks like it could be 1 fabric with all of these prints on it, but I’m wondering if this would be an eighth of a yard of each of the 8 fabrics shown in the image? Any ideas?

[@erica_arndt]

I'm not sure what image you saw, but I'm guessing that it's a single panel with several prints on one panel. So you would only get one 9x22 inch piece if that makes sense. Some people have called them "cheater prints" because it kind of looks like you made a patchwork quilt when in reality it's a single piece of fabric. Hope that makes sense :)

[@missym5440]

+Erica Arndt That makes perfect sense. Thanks for explaining!

[@zookeeper08L]

What a lot of information! Thanks for going over the different types of bundles. I haven't used bundles before because they were "invented" after I learned how to quilt. I think I might start using them. Only one negative with your video -- you talk really fast and never take a break, even between sentences. It's exhausting to listen to! But great information.

[@anthonycontreraz7867]

Where do you buy your bolts of white fabric. I would love to buy a bolt. What is the approximate price of a bolt ? Thank you.

[@erica_arndt]

I usually get them from Etsy, or there are a few people on Instagram who advertise them when they're avail. Etsy: Stitches -N-Giggles and Catching Stitches usually have them.

[@barbaramullen7823]

Do you use the same thread for your bobbin as you do for piecing,quilting?

[@erica_arndt]

Yes, I do

[@barbaramullen7823]

Thank you I love your videos, keep them coming! You’ve got me hooked to try quilting. Yahoo!

[@marylynngranado7006]

I have 2 questions that has nothing to do with the current video. (1) can I use 100% cotten sheets to cut up for my 5 inch squares and what would be a good thread count? (2) I was given 55/60 mens dress shirts that all have awesome patterns on them like strips, dots. plain color ones. I am just getting started on my quilt project and very new to this. I have been told that I can only use 100 cotton fabric...these Men's shirts say 55 cotton/45 Polyster on the tag can I use these shirts for my squares, HST and diamonds.

[@erica_arndt]

Hi Mary Lynn, You can use any fabric you like to create quilts, there are no rules really. Just some fabrics are easier to work with than others. I like to stick with cotton, however I've also done quilts with flannel and minky as well. I like to keep the fabrics similar in the same quilt just so the shrinkage is similar when washing. I also tend to match my thread to my fabric, so cotton thread if I use cotton fabric, or polyester thread if I'm using polyester fabric. But there are really no rules.

[@Carol-id9bu]

Where did you buy your Moda Bella Solids bolt from? I'm having trouble finding someone who sells it and I'd much prefer to just buy it that way and cut as I need. Thanks!

[@erica_arndt]

I usually order mine through Stitches N' Giggles 4U Etsy shop, just send her an email and she can order them :)

[@Carol-id9bu]

+Erica Arndt Awesome! I order from her often, but didn't know she sold the bolts. I will ask her about them. Thanks! :)

[@juliecook9755]

You video is given me the quilting bug! Can you tell me where modabakeshop website went to?

[@erica_arndt]

I'm not sure. Maybe they are having server issues or something. They still have it linked on their blog and moda's website so hopefully it doesn't go away!

[@kathysoftsong8224]

Is using the pinked precuts okay to use with regular straight cuts?

[@erica_arndt]

Yes, I combine them all the time! Just measure to make sure, but typically the tips of the pinked edges are where you will measure that piece of fabric from.

[@kathysoftsong8224]

@@erica_arndt Thank you!

[@michellewhiting2164]

Question, actually from your cutting video. Do you pre-wash and iron your fabrics? it doesn't appear so. If not why not? Does ironing and starching create problems in cutting?

[@erica_arndt]

No, I never pre-wash for quilting because the fabric never gets as smooth as it is off of the bolt. You definitely don't want to pre-wash pre-cuts because they will fray too much. I just use a color catcher in my first few washes to stop bleeding.

[@michellewhiting2164]

thank you so much! @@erica_arndt

[@sondraandersen9759]

i don't see where your link to your blog is. I've watched a ton of your videos.

[@erica_arndt]

There is a link in the description box above. Just click "show more" and you'll see the link to my blog post. My website is: www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/

[@pamelamarquez1173]

Do the precuts need straightend also?

[@erica_arndt]

I usually iron my pre-cuts before cutting them, but sometimes if I'm lazy I don't LOL! :) But do NOT pre-wash pre-cuts! They will be a frayed mess!

[@Jin04115]

Can you use muslin?

[@erica_arndt]

You can, but it's a thinner weave and doesn't hold up to heavy use as well in my opinion.

[@bethbilous4720]

why can i not find vintage picnic anywhere?

[@erica_arndt]

Hi, sorry Vintage Picnic is an older line and is out of print. You can try Etsy to see if anyone is destashing some of it. But they release new lines every year and they're all similar color palette as well, so you might just look for their latest line: bit.ly/2B6rzS8

[@aprilgarreau8274]

is there a facebook page for Erica Arndt?

[@erica_arndt]

No, just my business FB facebook.com/ConfessionsofaHomeschooler

[@user-pd7cc9ht3n]

Project bag with vinyl

[@tracyerobinson5191]

Regarding the instagram hashtag- I couldn’t figure out how to comment on the post to purchase fabric… 🥺

[@erica_arndt]

Go to instagram, then click the search button and type in #thegreatfabricdestash

[@keepthefaith1912]

Oh...I get 5-10 yards...😂😂😂

[@cindyloumasera4858]

It's becoming to expense. I'm going to buy fabric at Joann's. I have great fabric and if I need fillers I will buy at Joann's.

[@lorelebeverland5585]

Too expensive for me. Pretty though

[@basbo00sa]

I wish they prewashed the precuts🤨 life would be easier.

[@lbluebird342]

Sweetie, with all due respect, slow down a bit and take more breaths. You seem stressed while talking, hope ur not. Maybe ur just trying to get alot in ur video in a short amount of time...understandable. But, I got a bit of anxiety listening to only 2 of ur videos. I'm retired though, so maybe I'm just too old to keep up with the fast talking younger generation; although I've still have tons of energy. All your info is good, it's more for beginners, but was hoping to hear about"choosing different colored fabric" so the quilt colors look balanced and eye pleasing far away when hanging. I pick the wrong shades at times and then far away, they don't look as I hoped. Best of luck to you. Your daughter did a great job on her quilt and she's already so confident, which is great!!! Happy to see that! I think she was in the other video. If you're wondering why I'm mentioning it here.... YT is messed up, if I try to make a comment, sometimes it seems me back to the previous video. Blessings to you, L :)

[@elizataylor9504]

Girl you have a lot of good information but girl you need to slow your roll, you talk far to fast,I am hearing impaired and I read lips and that's how I keep up with a person talking. Please keep in mind that your are conveying your information to all kinds of people.

[@Tilas8]

Where is the race? You talk so fast!!! I couldn’t even get the name of the best place to buy fabric. It’s so hard to watch your videos.

[@terrysim4911]

You talk way too fast.

[@vivianpowell1732]

Audio is flat and tinny. Hurts my ears.

[@erica_arndt]

Sorry, this is an older video, so hopefully my new videos are getting better! Audio is always a struggle ;)

[@janetehoffman]

Your daughter is adorable. Thank you for this video.