What's The Difference??? Quilt shop vs chain store fabric - FREE Beginner Quilting Videos - NO MUSIC

Make sure to download the FREE pattern to go with this class and get a 20% OFF coupon in your email you can use on all your supplies. Click here to get the FREE pattern and coupon: shop.quiltaddi...
When I started quilting I bought fabric from chain stores because I didn't know quilt shops existed and I definitely didn't know the difference between the fabrics sold at the two types of businesses.
And there are BIG differences that affect how long your quilt will last and how soft it will feel to the person using it.
I've had a little help with this video. QT Fabrics President Ken Gamache, flew to Rock Island, IL, where my quilt shop is located, to join me for this video and explain the differences between quilt shop and chain store fabric.
The short version is chain stores that sell fabric are driven by profit. That means they use a fabric weave and printing method that is less expensive so they can make more money. But the fabric quality is not as good or soft as the fabric you will find at a local quilt shop.
That's not to say that local quilt shops don't need to make a profit too. We certainly do because there are bills to pay and families to feed. But for the most part, local quilt shops are focused on offering fabrics that are a better quality, softer and will last longer.
In this video we talk about the different types of fabric you might find in a quilt shop or a chain fabric store, which fabrics are best for quilting and what the difference is between the fabric you find at a chain vs. a local quilt shop (or local quilt shop with an online store like Quilt Addicts Anonymous).
And I absolutely cannot stress the importance of using fabric from a quilt shop when you get started. Obviously I am biased because I own a quilt shop.
But just last summer I had someone who took a class from me at my local quilt guild bring a block in to help diagnose where she went wrong.
She was using quilting cotton from a chain store to make triangles and the fabric was stretching out of place like crazy, making it impossible to create accurate points and seams. Nothing was turning out right and she was understandably frustrated.
This isn't the first time I have seen new quilters struggle with fabric from a chain. I think the thought is that when you are getting started, you'll just use something cheap just in case you don't like it.
But those issues just don't happen with good quality fabric and make it so much easier to master a new quilting technique and have a good time doing it.
And with our coupon below, you can get the good stuff for about the same price as you would buy fabric at a chain, so watch the video and then click on the links below to pick out fabric for your first quilt!
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Music: Be Happy from from Audio Jungle

[@KonjikiKonjiki]

this was really informative, I appreciate the head of a manufacturer took the time to speak about the industry standards.

[@kathleenk7726]

I have always used sheets for my quilt backings. I find them at thrift stores. I never have had any problems. I respect your views, but a quilt can be made out of anything and enjoyed by the person who receives them. I love the process and would encourage folks who can't afford the high prices of quilt stores, to get what you can afford and just enjoy making a quilt :)

[@JaneBrown10]

Kathleen K Absolutely!!! I totally agree!!! That is exactly what I use for the backings of my quilts and for my throws!

[@jojorey6886]

Kathleen K sheets come in thread counts so if you’re using a sheet with a high thread count then it’s quality.

[@RanchoLagniappe]

I could never afford to quilt if I bought fabric for $15/yard.

[@QuiltAddictsAnonymous]

Good thing quilt shop quality fabric is more like $10 to $12/yard and you can get a 20% off coupon if you join this free class

[@m53goldsmith]

For backings, that's probably okay. But if you are trying to make intricate quilt blocks, cheap fabric will cost you more in time and trouble. Of course, if budget doesn't allow, then one has to spend the time and take the trouble to keep expenses down! So long as you're happy with the result, that's all that matters!

[@Wanda6308]

Wow, I use to think all fabric was the same and quilt shops were just high priced fabric shops, Not meaning to be disrespectful mind you. But now I understand the difference. Thank you for explaining this to us. I love to make quilts but struggle to be able to afford the fabrics I love to work with, But I guess it is like they say , you get what you pay for. I just wish their was a senior citizen discount. I am retired and on a fixed income. lol

[@C123abc]

Thank you! Not only did I learn a lot about fabric but I thought I'd never heard of QT before and deemed it a "lesser" brand. However, I rechecked my stash and found that one of the fat quarter sets that I had bought and love for it's softness and beautiful color is by QT! I bought it from a reputable source and just assumed it was one of the brands I knew to be great! It's actually nicer than some of the top brands I have. So now I'm a big fan of QT! Thank you again for this video. I've been quilting for about 10 years and always love to learn something new.

[@karenpresley7101]

I understand all that was said. I just wish I could always afford quality. I live on a very limited income and my spendable cash is already gone for the month. It's frustrating at times. Like now, I'm wanting to make a lot of things for the animals in Australia. Bat wraps, and things for all the animals that were injured in the fires. I'm borrowing money tomorrow for the softest material I can get to make what I can. It just broke my heart when I saw a burnt koala crying. I have to do what I can for those frightened animals that survived. 💗💗💗

[@karenpresley7101]

@Karen S Thank you. I definitely was wanting to do something for the animals too.

[@notesfromleisa-land]

When caring for others it is easy to forget to care for yourself. We cannot save all of the things in life needing a something. But do ONE thing, and know that it will mean everything to the object of your kindness and generosity.

[@karenpresley7101]

@@notesfromleisa-land I got the plush flannel yesterday so I will be able to help a few of the animals. Just knowing that it may help comfort is a gift for me as well. Thank you.

[@m53goldsmith]

Bless you for your efforts to alleviate the suffering of the poor animals caught in these fires. Might I suggest, if it is available to you, that you check out the flannel blankets offered by IKEA? They are extremely soft and often they are much less expensive than the equivalent yardage (no, I don't know how they do it!). I have used these as backings for baby blankets and they work really well. Thank you for caring for the wildlife!

[@denisemcintosh7568]

There are some that can only afford the other fabric. So yes it's better to buy better quality but I will never tell a beginner to not use the fabric they can afford. I love quilting and sharing my passion with others. When my grandmother quilted she didnt have expensive fabric, they used what they had and could afford. She stuffed a puff quilt with nylons that got holes in them. The quilt was perfectly fine.

[@leorajs]

Thank you so much for this information! This is the first time anyone has been able explained it so well... for me anyway.

[@pearllucas452]

This is some very good information for me being a newbie in quilting and wondering why some cotton fabric I got at Joann was see through versus what I had gotten at a quilt shop that was better. Thanks for sharing

[@SewFun]

I have really liked a lot of the new QT prints. I hadn't bought their fabric previously, but I've been won over and I'll definitely look at their fabric when I'm looking for more.

[@lindahesseltine680]

When I started I was told buy the best you can buy, and move up from there. Some people would never be able to quilt other wise.

[@lesa6399]

This helped me explain “why” to hubby who supports my habit but not the difference! Thank you!!!

[@notesfromleisa-land]

I approach fabric purchasing like I do everything else I buy for any other purchase---buy really high quality at clearance prices. That way I can buy beautiful fabrics for the price of the lower quality stuff...and challenge my creativity to make something beautiful and useful.

[@TheHawkeyeQuilter]

Yes ... this right here! Woo-hoo! This may mean we don't buy the newly-released fabric, but are happy nabbing clearance fabric that designers released a year or two ago.

[@notesfromleisa-land]

@@TheHawkeyeQuilter Indeed. I rarely pay more than $5 per yard. Hancocks of Paducah is my go to place. I never find closeout fabric cheaper anywhere than there.

[@TheHawkeyeQuilter]

I must give them another try. It was frustrating ordering yardage from them because their inventory system was not in "real time" so after I spent time scouring their site for yardage that would go together for a quilt, I would often receive incomplete order because they sold out of 1 or more pieces before my order was processed. So I would have to go spend more money to order elsewhere something that would work. They said their computer inventory did not keep up with their in-store inventory. Reviews at the time were similar and plentiful from others! I had better luck when ordering precuts from them. Maybe they've improved. But you are right: great prices for great product ... when they can actually deliver.

[@notesfromleisa-land]

@@TheHawkeyeQuilter For sure I have have had those messages, but I'm working in the reverse. If they don't have the yardage, then that's okay with me. But for what you are doing, that can be a big frustration. Happy quilting.

[@barbarabaker346]

Stephanie this was an amazing video! I learned so much about fabric and will be able to make better purchases in the future. Thank you ❤️

[@lilscrapper67]

This is exactly why I use quilt store quality fabric. If I'm going to make it, I want it to be comfortable and to last.

[@sewgirl1247]

Great info Stephanie. . .thank you for bringing this to us!

[@grandmasheeshee9579]

Very informative! Learned a lot about "quilting fabrics".

[@jylromain6439]

Finally I've learned the difference between Joann's and a quilt shop. I've moved away from the big box, but now I will never buy fabric there. I wonder if there's any difference in other items like thread or stabilizer. I bought the last 2 yards of iron on stabilizer at that big box store and it won't iron on no matter what I do. I even have a new Rowenta now and it won't do the job.

[@QuiltAddictsAnonymous]

It depends on the brand. If it is also sold in quilt shops, you may just have a bad batch that is old or exposed to too much humidity. If it is my sold in quilt shops, then there likely is a quality difference.

[@sunflowerbaby1853]

This was very informative, especially for new quilters. Its hard to explain to them why you should only buy quilt store fabric. It usually ends up being a hard lesson learned. We no longer have a quilt store in Miami to go & support & fondle fabric. I really miss it. There's nothing like seeing fabric in person.

[@sunflowerbaby1853]

@Karen S Isn't that sad. All most of us have left are JoAnns or maybe a Hobby Lobby. Certainly not quality quilting fabric. I miss the friendships made in a quilt store, the classes & just a fun place to hang out for a couple of hours. I loved all the quilt samples, the books/magazines & new products/patterns. I miss the joy of going to a class & being taught new techniques or just creating. Please friends, if you are still lucky to have a quilt store in your town/city please go & support them. Buy their fabric, take their classes & get your machine serviced from them. Don't buy everything off the internet. I really miss my escape to my happy store. Please somebody w/ a driving passion open up a store in Miami!

[@barbarameehan113]

This was very informative. Thank you. I never knew all this.

[@ellenhofer3343]

Its easy. 3 grade of fabric. Grade 1 goes to quilt stores & boutique fabric stores. Fabrics have a wonderful smooth feel and a nice 'hand' Grade 2 goes to big box FABRIC stores. May have some 'designer' fabrics created for bog bix stores but are not 1st grade. Big bix fabrics are rougher to the touch and don't drape (hand) as well. Greade 3 goes to stores like Hobby Lobby & WatMart. These fabrics many times have creases that have been steamed in so hard they won't come out. They are also many times not printed straight on the grain and many times the fabric is 'crooked' and cannot be straightened to grsin.

[@Carylanne927]

great information for new and old quilters. thanks Stephanie and QT fabrics.

[@lizzietish7654]

Thank you for this information I learned much. Happy New year! I will be a good customer for I will be sewing heirlooms and need the best quality fabric for my quilts and garments.

[@lizziedae91]

Loved this video please do more like this

[@QuiltAddictsAnonymous]

Thank you! We had fun too!

[@cathywestholt5324]

You could blindfold me and put quilt shop fabric in one hand and big box in the other, and I could pick the quilt shop every time. Sheer joy is walking into a quilt shop and being overwhelmed by a saturated sea of color! 😊

[@lindahesseltine680]

I am like that usually, I'm a textile person. I'm may be looking at the fabric, but I also have my hands feeling it. People look at me oddly sometimes, because I abruptly stop, and say feel this then comes color and etc. I just love the feel. Oh, sometimes I have found that the basic, what do you call it, fabric something is printed on can differ as much, or more than dye lots. Even in the best quality store!

[@karenthomas6814]

I bought some jelly rolls from Walmart but I’m just gonna make a jellyroll rug with them my kids did not want anything special with them so. Exactly what you mean about buying really nice quality fabric and thread thing is for me though I want to just get used to my machine and do a couple of simple projects to get used to measuring out properly and spending money on really expensive fabric and then screwing up on not reading instructions properly or not sizing it properly would truly suck. Although I did make a whisk you a merry Christmas quilt using all of their fabrics and threats and I really loved it and it was a great example of why you buy the good stuff but like I said when I’m going to make a really good quilt I will be using the best because like you say this cheaper stuff is just not going to stand up in fact the jelly rolls I picked up from Walmart don’t have the nice crispy edges or mix of fabric in the rolls either.

[@m53goldsmith]

Just in case anyone was wondering, SKU stands for “” and it's a number assigned to keep track of stock.

[@crishertel]

Thank you for the explanations.

[@m53goldsmith]

The information about pigments being printed and how it's different from dyed fabrics makes me wonder about "licensed fabrics" that are sold online -- are these then not as good quality as dyed, or are they silk screened, or just printed?

[@QuiltAddictsAnonymous]

It just depends how it is printed. In general, if the fabric feels stiff, then it probably isn’t very good quality.

[@m53goldsmith]

@@QuiltAddictsAnonymous Yes, that makes sense. Also, what the gentleman said about how glue is used to keep the printing stable explains how some fabrics tend to be scratchy. It definitely pays to know one's quilting fabric vendor!

[@lindahesseltine680]

PS I went to Huston this fall, if I hadn't left the credit card home, I'd still be working my way back home to Colorado. I wanted to buy something from every booth, I do love the quality, and beauty.

[@pattiwalsdorf4097]

Wish you could add link to next video in series. Very difficult to locate next video.

[@QuiltAddictsAnonymous]

Hi, Patti! If you go to our Beginner Quilting playlist, you should be able to watch the videos in order. The no-music versions are there as well! kzbin.info/aero/PL-noqoeaGWzYseTzei9dpp386qT69d8mW Also if you download the pattern we’ll send all the videos to your inbox: shop.quiltaddictsanonymous.com/product/split-nine-patch-free-beginner-quilting-video-series-pattern/

[@pattiwalsdorf4097]

@@QuiltAddictsAnonymous thank you very much. Im excited to try quilting.

[@morganquilts]

Excellent information! I also only use quilt shop quality fabric

[@trouble200785]

Awesome video

[@susancole5210]

I buy Kona cotton fabric at JoAnns. Is this the same quality fabric as one would buy at a specialty quilt shop or is it a lower grade Kona?

[@jeanpoulton7524]

susan cole yes

[@jeanpoulton7524]

Same stuff according to Kona

[@eeyore_chick6059]

So, if I haven't misunderstood what Ken from QT fabric said, they are selling a different quality of the same fabric lines to chain fabric shops which are then charging consumers close to the same price that the quilt shops sell it for? Personally all this video has done is to turn me off of purchasing the QT brand of fabrics! I have found that, unfortunately, several of the local quilt shops are not willing to give information to new quilters - especially if you are looking for something other than what they are pushing on you. This experience has turned me off of the majority of LQS - there are a few I am willing to travel for but the one that is 5 minutes from me I almost never step foot into & I have had this experience at several quilt shops. I purchase a lot of fabric at Fabricland or online through Connecting Threads. Unfortunately the manufacturers seem to have decided that quilters have an unlimited budget & it is not uncommon in Canada to see quilting cotton for $28+/metre

[@QuiltAddictsAnonymous]

Sorry but you got that wrong. The fabrics that are sold to chains are different lines that are produced on lower quality fabric with printing processes that make it scratchy, rough and the pigments don’t penetrate as thoroughly because the printing process is not as good. These decisions are driven by chains wanting to get more profit than provide a quality product to consumers. Quilt shops sell a much higher quality fabric with different designs, better fabric and inks that fully penetrate the fabric so they will last longer and provide a softer feel. You are paying more at a shop, but you are getting a much better product that will last longer and feel better.

[@m53goldsmith]

The fact that a manufacturer makes a line of lesser quality to sell to vendors who require lesser quality should not be held against them. It's the big box stores who try to sell their fabrics at the higher prices who are at fault here. Most large manufacturers (of any type of goods) sell to a large range of requirements. It's not up to the them what prices the retailer sells these goods.

[@villagesteader3552]

If I order anything online I will only buy fabric made by Moda...sorry. If I can feel it, that’s a different story.

[@m53goldsmith]

Yes, buying online is a bit of a gamble ;-) I tend to only buy name-brands and from vendors I know are reliable (that is, they are actually selling me what they are advertising), as I do all my shopping online.

[@michelemann671]

When is the next one?

[@QuiltAddictsAnonymous]

We are officially starting with sewing instruction on Jan. 27. We released these early so you have time to download the pattern and get your supplies. If you download the pattern, you’ll get an email with all the details.