Quilt Fabrics

The choosing of quilting fabric is by far the most important element of quilting. The quilting fabric is largely chosen based on the ultimate use for the quilt. It can come in any size, shape and color you desire and it can also be of any material type that you choose.

Consider using old clothes, or you can even use old stuffed animals as quilting fabrics for quilts that might remind you of your childhood. These are great places to find quilting fabric, but sometimes you might want to make a quilt that doesn’t use older materials.  If you’d like to make a quilt out of brand new quilting fabrics, then you still have many options to choose from.

There are various quilting fabric out there, so you can choose anything from velvet to cotton to polyester if you so wish. The choice is yours. However, you may want to put some thought into it before you make a decision. Regardless of the type of quilting fabric that you do eventually choose though, be sure to choose the best quality of material that you can afford. Velvet or pure wool quilting fabric are more expensive than any other type of quilting material, with the exception of silks.







Here are some criteria to keep in mind when making fabric selections: colorfast quality; fiber content; surface design. If you stick to some guidelines about these criteria, then you’re sure to be pleased with the final result of your project.

Fabric selection:

1 – Try to pick fabrics with the same color value so one doesn’t stand out in the finished quilt.

2 – Check to see if there is a one-way direction in the design; you may need to purchase extra fabric to allow for cutting fabrics with plaids or stripes.

3 – The size and design, as well as the background spaces are also important.  Check if the designs are large, medium, or small, and if the background area is prominent.  Imagine how it will look when it’s cut into small quilt pieces because if the design is too widely spaced, it may be lost in the cutting of the fabric.

Colorfast Quality:

Of course you want to avoid fabrics that fade.  Wet-printed resists light up to 20 hours, and pigment-dyed will resist light up to 40 hours. 

Fiber Content:

Fiber content is particularly important because the way fabric responds to manipulation is determined by the fiber content.  100% cotton fabric is the best choice and it’s easy to work with. 

Cotton blends are harder to work with because they tend to shift while cutting or sewing them.

The quilting fabric you choose will determine your final product. If you choose wisely, your quilt will reflect all the care and attention you put in to choosing the appropriate materials.

Don’t neglect the quilting thread when shopping for quality materials. The role of the quilting thread, after all, is to hold the quilt together. Quality quilting fabric will ultimately mean very little if the thread binding it is of poor quality.











Pages of Interest

Quilt Block of The Month Club – Learn how to quilt with Annette and Jody – a mother and daughter team that shares a passion for designing and creating quilts. Now you too can enjoy creating special “one of a kind” quilts that your loved ones will treasure, from our original Quilt Block of the Month Club Patterns.


Learn How to Quilt – Consider the convenience of a Block of the Month Quilt Club. You will save a lot of time, money and stress, and this method is especially great for beginner quilters. The BOM provides a starting point and working a block at a time builds skills and confidence. Once you have selected your Look for projects that are recommended for beginners.


Quilt Batting – Whether you call it batting, padding or wadding – it’s the essential middle layer that gives your quilt its cozy warmth. We have a variety of batting available, ranging from natural fibers like cotton and wool, to synthetics and man-made fabric.


Quilt Blocks – If you’re looking for new quilt blocks, or if you are wondering what you can do with leftover quilt blocks, here’s some helpful tips.


Quilt Books – Quilt books for beginner, kids and as gifts – if your mother or another relative is a quilter, a quilt book makes a great gift for birthday, Mothers day, or Christmas.


Quilt Cleaning and Storage – Quilters spend a lot of time choosing fabric, cutting and piecing it together to form a family heirloom that is irreplaceable. Creating a quilt requires much time and effort and can end up damaged by improper cleaning, storage and display. Find out how to ensure it is protected?


Quilt Fabrics – The choosing of quilting fabric is by far the most important element of quilting. The quilting fabric is largely chosen based on the ultimate use for the quilt. It can come in any size, shape and color you desire and it can also be of any material type that you choose.


Quilt Racks and Quilt Hangers – Floor standing quilt racks are ideal for quilts that are used or moved frequently, and allow you to transport your quilt to another location without having to physically handle it. Wall mount quilt hangers use quilt clips or a display bar to hold your quilt for a vertical display.


Quilt Patterns – Whether you have just started quilting, or you are an experienced quilter who has made dozens of quilts, eventually you are going to want to look for new quilting patterns.


Quilt Stencils and Templates – Quilters are forever searching out new ways to incorporate unique patterns and designs. One of the ways is to use quilting stencils. There is such a wide variety of stencil patterns to choose from, you are sure to find the exact one that fit with your theme, with your project, or even your home décor.
Using stencils will save both time and money and will ensure that your pieces will be equal and consistent.


Quilting Kits – If you’re new to quilting, or just want to make the process a bit easier, consider buying a quilting kit. In today’s busy world, people are always looking for ways to save time. Kits are the perfect way to do this because they have all the supplies you need (saving you time from having to gather them together yourself).


Quilting Tools and Equipment – When it comes to quilt making, the tools and equipment you use are just as important as the fabric you choose. The proper tools can make creating your quilt easier and more enjoyable. They also play a vital part in the result, as using appropriate equipment can affect the precision and accuracy of your efforts.