Author Topic: Fabric question  (Read 30104 times)

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Offline Ballygrl

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Fabric question
« on: April 04, 2013, 08:58:50 PM »
1 of the things I've been doing to avoid politics is crafts and sewing, and since my sewing machine is working awesome I've been doing a bunch of projects, most recent ones are flannel pillowcases. The question I have is this, we're limited in fabric stores around here, I basically have Joann's and Walmart, I've been buying my fabrics at Joann's but honestly the choices are way too overwhelming, they have so much to choose from, and also the prices are really high, on average I'm spending about $6.97 a yard. Well I had to take my Mom and Aunt to Walmart today, so I'm wandering around and thought let me look at their fabric dept. well OMG at the prices, we're talking $3.97 per yard for flannel, and solid cotton colors going for $2.97 a yard, so I bought some fabric there. Just curious, anyone know about the quality of fabrics at Walmart compared to something like Joann's?
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"The nation that couldn’t be conquered by foreign enemies has been conquered by its elected officials" odawg Free Republic in reference to the GOP Elites who are no difference than the Democrats

Offline seahorse513

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2013, 09:37:08 PM »
Bally Girl, I have gone thru this company and never a problem!! Beautiful material, and lots to choose from....
Prices are pretty good!!
http://www.fabric.com/SearchResults2.aspx?Source=Header&SearchText=flannel&CategoryID=1d5f47dc-9991-4088-93f3-26a376046a5e

It takes you right to the flannel section of the website.
 I avoid fleece like the plague..it tends to catch in the gunnels...
Also avoid cheap thread, like Coats and Clark and Dual Duty. They will do a number on a sewing machine.
I like and prefer Guterman thread myself.
With Joanne's you have to keep up with the coupons, and they only cover one item... :whatever:
The sea is treacherous, but an even hand on the keel brings it safely to port.

Nothing is sexier than a man and his gun!!!

A man should prefer his own company to that of others, because no matter where he goes,he'll find himself there..

"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money".  Lady Maggie Thatcher

Offline Ballygrl

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2013, 10:07:33 PM »
Oh wow, that's a really cool site and the prices are awesome, I'll have to bookmark it.

Thanks!
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"The nation that couldn’t be conquered by foreign enemies has been conquered by its elected officials" odawg Free Republic in reference to the GOP Elites who are no difference than the Democrats

Offline Ballygrl

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2013, 10:12:06 PM »
Oh and ugh! I bought 2 yards each of fleece in black and red about a month ago, I was going to do something with it and changed my mind, now I have no idea what to do with it.
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"The nation that couldn’t be conquered by foreign enemies has been conquered by its elected officials" odawg Free Republic in reference to the GOP Elites who are no difference than the Democrats

Offline BattleHymn

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #4 on: April 04, 2013, 10:15:53 PM »
Hello Bally,

I asked the spousal unit, and she said that although Wal-Mart typically carries economy-grade fabrics, if you're just making stuff for everyday use, there is nothing wrong with what you'll get there.  

-Spousal unit, 11-years of experience at Hobby Lobby

Offline Ballygrl

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2013, 10:19:54 PM »
Awwwww, thanks BH and BH spouse!
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"The nation that couldn’t be conquered by foreign enemies has been conquered by its elected officials" odawg Free Republic in reference to the GOP Elites who are no difference than the Democrats

Offline BattleHymn

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2013, 10:27:04 PM »
What were you gonna make with your red and black fleece?

Offline seahorse513

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2013, 10:28:36 PM »
Oh and ugh! I bought 2 yards each of fleece in black and red about a month ago, I was going to do something with it and changed my mind, now I have no idea what to do with it.
What about a nice spring or fall vest...or a hator mittens, or a scarf?.  These are pretty easy to make.
The sea is treacherous, but an even hand on the keel brings it safely to port.

Nothing is sexier than a man and his gun!!!

A man should prefer his own company to that of others, because no matter where he goes,he'll find himself there..

"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money".  Lady Maggie Thatcher

Offline Dori

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #8 on: April 04, 2013, 10:53:50 PM »
Oh and ugh! I bought 2 yards each of fleece in black and red about a month ago, I was going to do something with it and changed my mind, now I have no idea what to do with it.

Sew them together and make a warm reversable throw.  You could even fringe it on the ends.   Use a zig zag stitch, as fleece stretches.  You could cover a pet bed with it too.  It washes up really nice.


Seahorse is right about JoAnns.  You need to watch your ad coupons and sales.  I've seen some good sales there.  Also, check the flat folded fabrics on the tables, they are not on the bolts. 
“How fortunate for governments that the people     they administer don't think”  Adolph Hitler

Offline Ballygrl

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #9 on: April 04, 2013, 11:40:21 PM »
I wanted to make curtains for my Mom and for some reason I chose the fleece. My neighbor does crafts and I might ask her if she wants them.
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"The nation that couldn’t be conquered by foreign enemies has been conquered by its elected officials" odawg Free Republic in reference to the GOP Elites who are no difference than the Democrats

Offline chitownchica

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #10 on: April 05, 2013, 12:00:59 AM »
I wanted to make curtains for my Mom and for some reason I chose the fleece. My neighbor does crafts and I might ask her if she wants them.

If you have any drafty doors or windows, maybe you could  make a draft blocker.

ETA a picture of a basic one.

« Last Edit: April 05, 2013, 12:04:09 AM by chitownchica »

Offline Ballygrl

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #11 on: April 05, 2013, 07:15:28 AM »
Actually it's not fleece, it's freaking felt, no idea what the heck I was thinking when I bought it.
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"The nation that couldn’t be conquered by foreign enemies has been conquered by its elected officials" odawg Free Republic in reference to the GOP Elites who are no difference than the Democrats

Offline seahorse513

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #12 on: April 05, 2013, 08:43:15 AM »
Actually it's not fleece, it's freaking felt, no idea what the heck I was thinking when I bought it.
Felt?? Oh gosh...Felt is not good for much unfortunately.
The sea is treacherous, but an even hand on the keel brings it safely to port.

Nothing is sexier than a man and his gun!!!

A man should prefer his own company to that of others, because no matter where he goes,he'll find himself there..

"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money".  Lady Maggie Thatcher

Offline BattleHymn

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #13 on: April 06, 2013, 08:46:58 AM »
Felt?? Oh gosh...Felt is not good for much unfortunately.

Make a reversible felt throw, and give it to someone you don't like.  :-)

Offline Ballygrl

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #14 on: April 07, 2013, 07:48:27 AM »
Make a reversible felt throw, and give it to someone you don't like.  :-)

:lmao: donate it to the DNC?

BTW I got an awesome compliment yesterday on my sewing, my cousins wife whom we adore, she buys only items that are good so that they will last a long time, well I made a cool pillowcase for her 3 year old, she looked at it and said "you really sewed this" and I said yes, she inspected the whole thing then showed it to my cousin, he inspected the whole thing and they couldn't believe I sewed it, then she said she's having a hard time finding pillowcases for her new bedroom set and asked if I would make them for her, I told her to just buy the material you want to use and I'll gladly do it.

I also set up a nice organized sewing and craft area in my living room. I like things to look neat and organized so I was keeping the sewing machine in the case and had to keep lugging it out when I needed it and had to use the craft table as a sewing table, well I have a nice vanity table that wasn't getting much use so I decided to see if I could put it in my craft corner so I could keep the sewing machine up all the time instead of having to use the case, and it looks really good.
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"The nation that couldn’t be conquered by foreign enemies has been conquered by its elected officials" odawg Free Republic in reference to the GOP Elites who are no difference than the Democrats

Offline Ballygrl

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #15 on: April 07, 2013, 07:49:38 AM »
I think I might keep the felt, I can always cut them out and use them as accents, I have fabric paint so I can make some nice designs.
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"The nation that couldn’t be conquered by foreign enemies has been conquered by its elected officials" odawg Free Republic in reference to the GOP Elites who are no difference than the Democrats

Offline seahorse513

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #16 on: April 07, 2013, 07:54:40 AM »
I think I might keep the felt, I can always cut them out and use them as accents, I have fabric paint so I can make some nice designs.
oh that would be cool!! Post pics??
The sea is treacherous, but an even hand on the keel brings it safely to port.

Nothing is sexier than a man and his gun!!!

A man should prefer his own company to that of others, because no matter where he goes,he'll find himself there..

"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money".  Lady Maggie Thatcher

Offline Ballygrl

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #17 on: April 07, 2013, 10:00:48 AM »
oh that would be cool!! Post pics??

I'll post pics of some of the pillowcases, and I'll post pics of the sewing machine cover that I'm going to make where I'll add the felt embellishment.
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"The nation that couldn’t be conquered by foreign enemies has been conquered by its elected officials" odawg Free Republic in reference to the GOP Elites who are no difference than the Democrats

Offline seahorse513

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #18 on: April 07, 2013, 01:45:57 PM »
I'll post pics of some of the pillowcases, and I'll post pics of the sewing machine cover that I'm going to make where I'll add the felt embellishment.
That will be awesome!!
The sea is treacherous, but an even hand on the keel brings it safely to port.

Nothing is sexier than a man and his gun!!!

A man should prefer his own company to that of others, because no matter where he goes,he'll find himself there..

"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money".  Lady Maggie Thatcher

Offline debk

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #19 on: April 07, 2013, 02:03:04 PM »
Bally Girl, I have gone thru this company and never a problem!! Beautiful material, and lots to choose from....
Prices are pretty good!!
http://www.fabric.com/SearchResults2.aspx?Source=Header&SearchText=flannel&CategoryID=1d5f47dc-9991-4088-93f3-26a376046a5e

It takes you right to the flannel section of the website.
 I avoid fleece like the plague..it tends to catch in the gunnels...Also avoid cheap thread, like Coats and Clark and Dual Duty. They will do a number on a sewing machine.
I like and prefer Guterman thread myself.



I remember when Coats and Clark was considered really good thread. It's all my grandmother ever used for her embroidered quilts, piillowcases and aprons...


« Last Edit: April 07, 2013, 02:05:20 PM by debk »
Just hand over the chocolate...back away slowly...far away....and you won't get hurt....

Save the Earth... it's the only planet with chocolate.

"My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far I've finished two bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already." – Dave Barry

A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands.

Offline seahorse513

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #20 on: April 07, 2013, 02:21:15 PM »

I remember when Coats and Clark was considered really good thread. It's all my grandmother ever used for her embroidered quilts, piillowcases and aprons...



Yeah, I wouldn't use them now, except handsewing. When you have a 500 dollar sewing machine, like I do.. You should invest in good thread. I usially go to a specialty sewing store or Joanne's to get mine...
The sea is treacherous, but an even hand on the keel brings it safely to port.

Nothing is sexier than a man and his gun!!!

A man should prefer his own company to that of others, because no matter where he goes,he'll find himself there..

"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money".  Lady Maggie Thatcher

Offline Ballygrl

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #21 on: April 07, 2013, 05:27:04 PM »
Here's some of the pillowcase pics.

This is the Queen size pillow I use when reading in bed, I'm a leaner so it's either leaning on my Husband's head to read or a pillow LOL, I used a soft flannel for this pillowcase:



Here's what the material looks like up close:



Here's a couple of others:



Quote
"The nation that couldn’t be conquered by foreign enemies has been conquered by its elected officials" odawg Free Republic in reference to the GOP Elites who are no difference than the Democrats

Offline Ballygrl

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #22 on: April 07, 2013, 10:06:59 PM »
Here's the sewing machine cover, I had to add fusible fleece to give it stability, the darn thread kept bunching at the bobbin, I googled and they said to use 100% polyester thread when using fusible fleece, I was using 100% cotton, switched thread and the stitches were perfect.

Here's the bare sewing machine:



And here's the cover, I didn't do a felt embellishment, I just added lace to the bottom:

Quote
"The nation that couldn’t be conquered by foreign enemies has been conquered by its elected officials" odawg Free Republic in reference to the GOP Elites who are no difference than the Democrats

Offline BEG

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #23 on: April 09, 2013, 08:49:39 PM »
Gutermann is the best thread, it's worth the extra cost.  I have bought fabric at Fsbric.com before (quilt fabric). Quilt fabric makes great pillow cases because it washes so well.


Offline seahorse513

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Re: Fabric question
« Reply #24 on: April 09, 2013, 09:28:15 PM »
@ Bally, I loved the sewing machine cover with the light houses!!
@ Beg, Guterman, is all I will buy, when sewing by macine.
I find with thread, is to buy it when you need it. Don't stock up on it!
It loses its elasticity(something to do with the strength of the thread) , i believe a sewing expert said, Have you heard that before?
The sea is treacherous, but an even hand on the keel brings it safely to port.

Nothing is sexier than a man and his gun!!!

A man should prefer his own company to that of others, because no matter where he goes,he'll find himself there..

"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money".  Lady Maggie Thatcher