What You Need To Know About Discount Quilting Fabrics

The most enjoyable thing about quilting is definitely the fabric! Before you select your next piece of fabric, let's discuss the things you need to know about the discount quilting fabrics that you'll buy. We'll talk about the characteristics of your fabric, how to care for it, and how to cut and sew it into something beautiful!

When purchasing discount quilting fabrics, ensure that they are 100% cotton! Cotton has a natural give to it and will need to ease a little when sewing pieces together. Synthetic products will not do this and will not make as pleasing an item. Fabrics that are too loosely woven or tightly woven are not a good choice. Purchase the highest quality fabric as possible. Your hard work will be greatly rewarded in a finished product that will last and stay looking beautiful longer. Your quilting fabric need not be the most expensive you can find to be of the highest quality--especially if you get it on sale!

Next, let's talk about selecting fabric for your quilt. Choosing the discount quilting fabrics that you will use is the most enjoyable part of the project! First, decide why you are making the quilt and where it will be going. Deciding ahead of time on the color scheme will greatly reduce your stress. Select 2 or 3 main colors for your quilt--remember less is often best! Don't agonize over every piece of fabric. You'll want to keep in mind that your overall look is what is important. Place all of your fabrics together and stand back six or seven feet and look at the overall look of all of the pieces together. You'll be able to get big picture.

Normally, discount quilting fabrics are sold by the yard. However, they can be cut into one of four ways. The first is the fat quarter. This means that it has been cut in half along the width of the fabric and then along the length so that you have four squarish pieces. The next is the skinny quarter. This has been cut along the width of the fabric only. With this you'll have four long, thin rectangular pieces that have selvage on two narrow edges. Third, you'll find the fat eighth. This piece is created by cutting a fat quarter in half along the width of the fabric so that both pieces have one edge of selvage. Lastly, there is the skinny eighth. These pieces are rarely available precut; however, you can usually purchase 4" lengths off of the bolt.