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Is there a place for less-than-the-best? (Moderated by Deepika, Sharon1952)
Posted on: 12/9/07 0:15 AM ET
I was reading the post on the frustrations of using cheap fabric, and I can certainly see how an accomplished sewer would not want to waste their time and labor on sleazy material. However--it is difficult for a beginner to spring for expensive fabric when we make so many mistakes (particularly in fitting.) I have already had the frustrating experience of making a garment, doing everything "right" and not being able to use it because it didn't fit right or drape right. My only consolation was that it wasn't $25 a yard.
So, I went to my local Joann this morning and browsed. Honestly, it didn't all look tacky. I've been a quilter for several years, and I definitely can tell the difference between a Joann quilting cotton and one from a quilt shop. So I have to assume there is a similar difference in quality for apparel fabrics, and I may just not be knowledgeable enough to tell. But some of the polyester has a nice hand and seems to drape OK. I think it would make a decent skirt. And the cotton knits seem all right, too. I don't want to be a snob, and rule out Joann simply because it's cheaper.
So what's the right compromise here? I've got to learn on something.
So, I went to my local Joann this morning and browsed. Honestly, it didn't all look tacky. I've been a quilter for several years, and I definitely can tell the difference between a Joann quilting cotton and one from a quilt shop. So I have to assume there is a similar difference in quality for apparel fabrics, and I may just not be knowledgeable enough to tell. But some of the polyester has a nice hand and seems to drape OK. I think it would make a decent skirt. And the cotton knits seem all right, too. I don't want to be a snob, and rule out Joann simply because it's cheaper.
So what's the right compromise here? I've got to learn on something.
Posted on: 12/9/07 0:46 AM ET
My opinion? Just buy what you like and sew it up. If you pick colors that flatter you and fabrics that 'feel' good to you for your 'learning' projects, you might even get a final product that you'll like wearing! :D
And at the worst, you'll learn what doesn't work drape-wise, etc.
Anyhow, that's what muslins are for! Think of your first projects as muslins; it's easier to buy cheap fabric if you tell yourself you are making a 'test' garment from it!
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And at the worst, you'll learn what doesn't work drape-wise, etc.
Anyhow, that's what muslins are for! Think of your first projects as muslins; it's easier to buy cheap fabric if you tell yourself you are making a 'test' garment from it!
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blog: goodworks1.wordpress.com
Posted on: 12/9/07 3:07 AM ET
In my opinion, natural fibers are often the easiest to sew because they will shape well, press well, not pucker usually, etc. Cotton is a great start but other types are also good to sew with.
The current Michaels Fabric bundles are $3.50 per yard and all high quality Italian natural fiber fabrics. Many may be cold hand wash only, though. That means you might be able to use your washer for soaking and spinning. Some may be machine wash as well, especially cotton shirtings.
You can get good cottons on Wazoodle, and these would normally be all machine washable. Wazoodle had "grab bags" which are small bundles. The flannels might be a good choice, and I think most are all cotton, but you could call to be sure. They have cabri pant bundles that are nice as well, and many of those fabrics have some stretch in the woven.
Bundles can get you good cheap fabric if you are pickly about who you buy them from. Bundles from some sites are just whatever cheap fabric they can get and only useful for muslins or if you are lucky a few items you may like okay. Depends on what you call a deal and how varied your preferences are.
I would avoid 100% polyester cheap fabrics if you want ease of sewing. There are exceptions.
You could, for example, sew fleece, and that can be very easy. Pick non-pilling fleece if you really want it to last, though, and that can be a little pricier.
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The current Michaels Fabric bundles are $3.50 per yard and all high quality Italian natural fiber fabrics. Many may be cold hand wash only, though. That means you might be able to use your washer for soaking and spinning. Some may be machine wash as well, especially cotton shirtings.
You can get good cottons on Wazoodle, and these would normally be all machine washable. Wazoodle had "grab bags" which are small bundles. The flannels might be a good choice, and I think most are all cotton, but you could call to be sure. They have cabri pant bundles that are nice as well, and many of those fabrics have some stretch in the woven.
Bundles can get you good cheap fabric if you are pickly about who you buy them from. Bundles from some sites are just whatever cheap fabric they can get and only useful for muslins or if you are lucky a few items you may like okay. Depends on what you call a deal and how varied your preferences are.
I would avoid 100% polyester cheap fabrics if you want ease of sewing. There are exceptions.
You could, for example, sew fleece, and that can be very easy. Pick non-pilling fleece if you really want it to last, though, and that can be a little pricier.
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"puhPOjhu"--a river that sinks into a mountain with fury and winds around underground for miles before emerging in calm down the road...
Posted on: 12/9/07 6:42 AM ET
Quote:
But some of the polyester has a nice hand and seems to drape OK. I think it would make a decent skirt. And the cotton knits seem all right, too. I don't want to be a snob, and rule out Joann simply because it's cheaper.
Go right ahead and use Joann's stuff that you like. I've found some great fabrics there. In fact, I bought some very nice, drapey poly blouse-weight stuff there yesterday. I bought some a few weeks ago, took it home washed it and ran a test seam to check for puckering. When it passed my tests, I went back and bought it in several more colors. Not everything in the store is perfect, and I've had some disappointments in the past with fabric looking old and tired and pilled and faded after a few washings. But polyester probably changes less with repeated washings and wearings than any other fabric, so if you see some you like, go for it. But some of the polyester has a nice hand and seems to drape OK. I think it would make a decent skirt. And the cotton knits seem all right, too. I don't want to be a snob, and rule out Joann simply because it's cheaper.
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“Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig.” -Robert Heinlein and Ann's father. Thanks for the reminder, Ann.
Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?
Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Where are we going, and what am I doing in this handbasket?
Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Posted on: 12/9/07 12:18 PM ET
Another way to find some good fabric for not much money is to check out the clearance bins. You can sometimes find nice fabric that way. I get a lot of my fabric from the $2.99 selves at a local store. It's nice fabric, sometimes with slight imperfections that can be cut around, other times just out of season, last bit on the bolt, returns, etc.
I can usually find a few pieces that I like well enough and that will work for wearable muslins. Sometime I even find pieces I love. In any case it's nice fabric so it sews up well but not expensive so I don't feel bad using it for muslins or other learning experiments.
I can usually find a few pieces that I like well enough and that will work for wearable muslins. Sometime I even find pieces I love. In any case it's nice fabric so it sews up well but not expensive so I don't feel bad using it for muslins or other learning experiments.
Posted on: 12/9/07 12:39 PM ET
In reply to dr. liz
I buy mostly from Joann's. There is simply no room in my budget for $25 a yard fabric. The most I have ever paid is $10 a yard for raw silk.
DH loves the shirts I've made from J's knits way more than any shirt I've ever bought for him. And my kids' clothes usually hold up great. I do occasionally get a piece that the colors prematurely fade or the fabric pills. But usually I am quite happy with Joann's knits, twills, and stretch wovens.
I buy their quilting cottons, too. Especially after the last 2 times I bought MMiller fabric for $8/yard plus shipping only to find it was printed off-grain.
I will say, however, that I think their fleece is worthless. The Sew Comfy fleece used to be pretty good, but has been discontinued in my store.
I personally wouldn't splurge on a gorgeous, but expensive fabric unless I had a TNT pattern to use it on. And that means, to me at least, that I've made it about 2 or 3 times on inexpensive fabric first. Probably stuff I bought at Joann's.
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DH loves the shirts I've made from J's knits way more than any shirt I've ever bought for him. And my kids' clothes usually hold up great. I do occasionally get a piece that the colors prematurely fade or the fabric pills. But usually I am quite happy with Joann's knits, twills, and stretch wovens.
I buy their quilting cottons, too. Especially after the last 2 times I bought MMiller fabric for $8/yard plus shipping only to find it was printed off-grain.
I will say, however, that I think their fleece is worthless. The Sew Comfy fleece used to be pretty good, but has been discontinued in my store.
I personally wouldn't splurge on a gorgeous, but expensive fabric unless I had a TNT pattern to use it on. And that means, to me at least, that I've made it about 2 or 3 times on inexpensive fabric first. Probably stuff I bought at Joann's.
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Trinity
I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?
http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
I probably have too many sewing machines, but how am I supposed to resist when they're either free by the side of the road or people give them to me?
http://thimblesthreadsandneedles.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 12/9/07 3:55 PM ET
I buy fabric from JoAnns all the time, with very few problems. Of course, now that i'm a little more expierenced, I would like to think that i'm getting better at passing up the worst of what they have there.
In my opinion, there is no reason to pass up fabric just because it comes from JoAnns.
Good luck!
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In my opinion, there is no reason to pass up fabric just because it comes from JoAnns.
Good luck!
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http://theramblingsoftcm.blogspot.com/
Numbers for 2013:
Yards in stash: 606.25
Yards in: 22.75
Yards out: 10.50
Numbers for 2012:
594.00 yards in stash
4 yards in
10.25 yards out
Numbers for 2011:
601.25 yards in stash (I'm sure this number is off by a few yards)
Yards in: 137.50 (Seriously? I'm over 100, and it's only JULY? Ugh!)
Yards out: 88.75
Numbers for 2013:
Yards in stash: 606.25
Yards in: 22.75
Yards out: 10.50
Numbers for 2012:
594.00 yards in stash
4 yards in
10.25 yards out
Numbers for 2011:
601.25 yards in stash (I'm sure this number is off by a few yards)
Yards in: 137.50 (Seriously? I'm over 100, and it's only JULY? Ugh!)
Yards out: 88.75
Posted on: 12/9/07 5:55 PM ET
I buy from Joann's and (gasp!) the $1 table at Walmart all the time. I've found some nice stuff at both. With Walmart it can be a little more of a crap shoot, esp when you pick up some of those "unknown content" bolts, but there can be some pleasant surprises, too. Do prewash anything you get (well...always...but especially from here) to help find out if you have a dud or not. There's nothing worse than finding this out AFTER you've put time and effort into making a garment (and it's usually when you've made it for a specific, upcoming occasion!).
I usually go by how a fabric feels. If it feels crunchy and "cheap" on the bolt, it'll feel crunchy and cheap on your bod, too. There are some lovely fabrics that are a pain to sew (I'm thinking the "Silkies" from Joann's), but I wouldn't necessarily consider them to be bad...just a pain. They just require a little extra prep and/or fussing but they make pretty garments. I do avoid the fleece from Joann's and Walmart...as a rule, total crap-ola IMO.
BTW, don't forget to look in the home dec clearance for bargain fabrics to experiment with for garments. You can find lovely silks and other nice fabrics in 60" widths for very little money. I've bought silks for $3-4 yd at Joanns!
Eve
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I usually go by how a fabric feels. If it feels crunchy and "cheap" on the bolt, it'll feel crunchy and cheap on your bod, too. There are some lovely fabrics that are a pain to sew (I'm thinking the "Silkies" from Joann's), but I wouldn't necessarily consider them to be bad...just a pain. They just require a little extra prep and/or fussing but they make pretty garments. I do avoid the fleece from Joann's and Walmart...as a rule, total crap-ola IMO.
BTW, don't forget to look in the home dec clearance for bargain fabrics to experiment with for garments. You can find lovely silks and other nice fabrics in 60" widths for very little money. I've bought silks for $3-4 yd at Joanns!
Eve
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People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it - Chinese proverb
Posted on: 12/9/07 6:09 PM ET
Don't hesitate to buy from Joann's and in fact, don't hesitate to buy clearance fabric at Joann's. As an advanced beginner, you need to learn (and make mistakes) on fabric that doesn't make you hesitate to cut, or sew, or rip seams and resew. As you get more skilled at fitting (after you get more skilled at construction techniques), you'll naturally get fussier and be willing to risk more $$$.
Joann's has some very nice fabrics (even on clearance) that will 'make up' into loved garments.
If you were an advanced beginner woodworker, you'd be crazy to special order pricey mahogany wood for your first (or 2nd or 3rd) cabinet project. You'd buy some good-on-one-side-only pine or poplar while you were honing your skills. Same deal with sewing and fitting skills.
Buy the pricey fabric when you believe that you have an 85% chance of fitting the pattern properly and sewing the construction techniques with precision. (There's never a 0% risk of failure in sewing.)
--Lily
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Joann's has some very nice fabrics (even on clearance) that will 'make up' into loved garments.
If you were an advanced beginner woodworker, you'd be crazy to special order pricey mahogany wood for your first (or 2nd or 3rd) cabinet project. You'd buy some good-on-one-side-only pine or poplar while you were honing your skills. Same deal with sewing and fitting skills.
Buy the pricey fabric when you believe that you have an 85% chance of fitting the pattern properly and sewing the construction techniques with precision. (There's never a 0% risk of failure in sewing.)
--Lily
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Lily
Posted on: 12/9/07 8:50 PM ET
In reply to dr. liz
Many of Joann's fabrics are ok and are the right price when on sale. There will occasionally be some "problems" like shrinkage, color bleeding, pilling, etc., things that one could consider a small price to pay for getting bargain. Those same problems can sap the will to sew at times, so keep that in mind. The creative work that you do in your sewing is worth decent fabric. Even test garments should be made in fabric that will at least cooperate.
A very nice online source for good quality mid priced fabrics is fabric.com. They have the fabrics that we wish our local chain stores carried. Fabric.com is my source for the basics when I don't want to spend big $'s. Sometimes I find a $1/yd clearance fabric there that works well as a muslin test fabric.
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A very nice online source for good quality mid priced fabrics is fabric.com. They have the fabrics that we wish our local chain stores carried. Fabric.com is my source for the basics when I don't want to spend big $'s. Sometimes I find a $1/yd clearance fabric there that works well as a muslin test fabric.
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Liz
thefittinglife.blogspot.com
thefittinglife.blogspot.com
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