Discount Quilting Fabric

Types of Quilting Fabric

Just as there are numerous kinds of quilts available, there are many types of quilting fabric. While some fabrics can be quite pricey, there are many that are very affordable. Some of the more popular types of discount quilting fabric include:

• Calico is one of the cheaper styles of quilting fabric. Calico is not as coarse as denim or canvas, but is made from unbleached and not completely processed cotton.
• Corduroy is a heavy, ribbed quilting fabric. A cheaper buy than other fabrics, corduroy is a great alternative to wool when making a warm quilt. Wool can be quite pricey.
• Cotton is by-far the most common of the quilting fabrics. Prices can range from the very cheap to the more expensive, but also check for quality there because there some poorly designed cottons. It is the easiest fabric quilters can sew.
• Gingham is a plain-weave fabric of medium weight. It comes in a plaid or checkered pattern.
• Muslin is a plain-woven, unbleached white cotton fabric.

Avoid using fabrics that are knit, crepe or that stretch as they are very difficult to quilt. Synthetics and mixes are harder to work with than 100 percent cotton, because they may pucker along the seams. In addition, always buy a little more than you think you need. Purchase your fabric, if possible, as fat quarters because they are easier to measure and cut than larger pieces of material.

Tips for Choosing Fabric

While cost should always be a factor in choosing a good discount quilting fabric, there are some other things to consider to make the quilting process a little easier:

• Is it colorfast? You want to make sure the color won't bleed or run when it is washed. It is best to wash the fabric by itself before using. Then, if it does bleed, your fabric won't ruin other material.
• How tight is the weave? Make sure the weave is not loose. The tighter the weave, the longer the fabric will last.
• Remember the color theory. Make sure the colors "go together" and are not complete opposites or unbalanced.
• Don't forget backing. Purchase backing material that is similar color and weight to the top of the quilt.

Where to Find Discount Quilting Fabric

Now that you know what kind of fabric you need to buy, here are some online companies that will sell it at discounted prices:

• Quilting-Warehouse has fat quarters and Batik cotton fabric, as well as basic and printed cottons.
• The Nixie Chicks Superstore has a variety of discounted quilting fabrics including animal prints, children's designs and Civil War material.
• J & O Fabric Center carries a line of Cranston quilting fabric including Elvis Presley, Thomas the Train and Disney designs.
• E-quilter has more than 20,000 discounted fabrics in stock, with two percent of all purchases being donated to the continuous Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
• Hancock's has end-of-season sales going on several times a year where quilters can purchase beautiful fabric at discounted prices.
• Fabric Blowout sells high-quality fabrics at wholesale prices in a variety of designs, prints and weights.
• Vogue Fabrics has designer quilting fabric at below wholesale prices. The fabric can be found at one of its Chicago, Illinois, stores, through one of two mail-order, fabric swatch club catalogs, its wholesale division or online.

More Ways to Find Discount Fabric

If you still haven't found what you are looking for, then there are other ways to find quilting fabric without spending an a lot of money:

• Join one of many Internet quilting forums; members there usually hold fabric swaps a few times a year. This is a good way to get rid of fabric you have and don't want to get something you don't have, but really want.
• Garage and yard sales are havens for unwanted fabric. Get up early and take your time perusing what is for sale. Don't be afraid to ask if you are looking for something specific and don't see it.
• Sign up on the Freecycle e-mail list. You can always post that you are looking for quality quilting fabric, and hopefully, someone is giving some away.
• Fabric stores such as Jo-Ann's regularly send out coupons and offer discounts via their Web sites. Make sure you are signed up via e-mail or regular mail to receive them.
• There's always eBay. Thousands of auctions are held every day for various kinds of quilting fabric from fat quarters to yardages of quality fabric.