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QOTD~12/21/09 Do you buy bolts of fabric?

geezerfolks_SharonG_FL

14 years ago

Beverly's post that she had 3 bolts of fabric on the shelf reminded me that I've never bought a bolt of fabric. If you buy bolts of fabric, is it mainly for background use? Like WOW or muslin???? C'mon, fess up!

SharonG/FL

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Comments (21)

toolgranny
14 years ago
I buy PFD fabric for dyeing in bolts. It's much cheaper that way. I use lots since it takes me lots of tries to get the color I want. The leftovers will become backings and small sandwiches for practicing FMQ.
grammyp
14 years ago
I do have 3 bolts of fabric, all were purchased for backings. Two are WOW and I have used about half of each, the other is actually a half bolt of thunderstorm fabric that DD#2 picked out, then changed her mind. I do have 2 other fabrics that I purchased almost whole bolts to make a king spread for my bedroom, but now I don't think it will go with the new paint color, so they may be used for backings. So I guess that makes 5 bolts, actually.

Thanks to Toolgranny's classes I will start purchasing bolts of PFD soon. She has us addicted to fabric dying now. You get the greatest colors and shades that way.

beverly
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odessaquilts
14 years ago
I have never purchased a bolt of fabric, primarily because of cost. I don't do enough sewing in one particular color to make it worth my while. I have been known to buy "whatever's left" on the bolt, but it's generally less than 10 yards if I am doing that.

If I were to buy entire bolts, I would suspect that it would be of something suitable for a backing (muslin, WOW, BOB, etc), or a color/pattern I just HAD to have so I could work with it over and over again. But that's for the time when I am rolling in $$$ instead of rolling in small bits of fabric stash! LOL

Good question!

Odessa
solstice98
14 years ago
I have never purchased a bolt, although I've seen fabrics that made me want the whole bolt. It really is a good idea for things you'll use often, like WOW or a beige tonal. I could definitely use a bolt of muslin as well. When I first started quilting I looked down on muslin and wouldn't use it, but I've grown to like it very much and the farm-house look it lends to quilts. I use it for backing on wall-hangings too.

Kate
itsmesuzq
14 years ago
I've never purchased a bolt of fabric, but I did buy 10 yards (on a bolt) of batting. Joanne's had their 50% off batting sale so I went a little nuts. That big thing leaned up against my bookcase for a long time but it did come in handy and I used every bit of it. The only thing I didn't like was trying to measure and cut different size pieces. It was like wrestling a bear and I never did get the exact measurement straight! ~LOL~

Susan
mary_c_gw
14 years ago
Yes, I buy bolts for backings. Mostly WOW, sometimes other tonals. I always keep a bolt of unbleached muslin around. Some of it gets used in piecing, but mostly I load up a wholecloth piece when I'm trying out a new quilting technique.
jennifer_in_va
14 years ago
I have purchased bolts on occassion. I don't typically keep them in stock though. The only bolt I do keep in stock is a bolt of batting. And I realized last night that I'm actually out (AAAACK!!!) and need to get more.

I am definitely considering a bolt of PFD fabric...I'm buying yards of that at an increasing rate!
magothyrivergirl
14 years ago
What is PFD??? Here in the sailing/boating community it means Personal Floation Device -life jackets - so I'm guessing PFD means something else here. My brain just won't let me figure it out.
I love fabric and yes I buy bolts (and full rolls of non quilting fabric) - always have and always will - makes me feel powerful :) ---until I get home. Don't anyone look under my beds.
odessaquilts
14 years ago
"Don't anyone look under my beds."

*laughing*

River girl, that reminds me of my favorite quilt/fabric saying:

My husband lets me keep all the fabric I can hide!

Odessa
rosajoe_gw
14 years ago
That's funny Mago!!!!! The only way I knew it meant prepared for dyeing is I looked it up after seeing some of Linda's posts of the beautiful job she does on dyeing fabrics.
Putting stuff under your beds leaves less room for dust bunnies to hide LOL!!!
I buy bolts of unbleached and bleached muslin. I love the look of hand quilting on the back of a quilt, it's almost reversible.
Rosa
toolgranny
14 years ago
I just realized I have one bed in this house with nothing under it yet. Amazing. Thanks river girl for calling it to my attention. Plastic tubs that fit under beds, some with wheels, are wonderful hiding places.
lindaoh_gw
14 years ago
I bought bolts of Warm and Natural batting when it was on sale. I also buy muslin by the bolt. It has to be on a great sale for me to buy the bolt.
Linda OH
grammyp
14 years ago
I forgot about batting. Yes I have a partial bolt of that left too. Thanks for reminding me Jennifer, I gotta get some wider to use with my Santa surprise. Can I use what I have even if it is pieced?

beverly
nanajayne
14 years ago
A few years ago I bought a bolt of PFD fabric, still have some of that. A bolt of muslin, mostly for practice and foundations, and thought this isn't fabric I did buy a bolt of fusable web before Aleene's stopped making it.
Jayne
magothyrivergirl
14 years ago
PFD=prepared for dyeing..... very interesting....I new fabric for me to look at:)
If you roll your fabric on tubes and but them in a plastic sleeve or bag you can even hide them under your dresser if you have legs & behind your sofa (that's a really good place) & right inside the corner of the closet. The fabric stays nice on rolls - do I need to tell you all my secrets?????
kathi_mdgd
14 years ago
I have bought bolts of unbleached muslin as i use it for many things,like ironing board covers,backing for some strip quiltig patterns,and have also used it on backs of quilts. I also used to buy bolts of interfacing,when i sewed a lot of clothes.Don't buy like that anymore though.
kathi
geezerfolks_SharonG_FL
Original Author
14 years ago
You guys are awesome! Do you order online? Do you have to pay shipping? Should this be tomorrow's question?

Thank you all for posting.

Sharon
petalpatsy
14 years ago
I've bought couple of bolts-one of black for ye olde Cathedral Windows, and one tonal type I envisioned as a backing someday.
Carol_from_ny
14 years ago
On a few occasions I've bought bolts. Mostly muslin when JoAnn's has a good sale on it.
bluebars
14 years ago
Oh yes, and sometimes 2 bolts, for applique backgrounds. And especially during a big sale like Super Bowl Sunday.
Can you ever have too much fabric?
grammyp
14 years ago
I do order my batting on-line. Even with shipping it is cheaper than having to drive and pick it up. The fabric I purchased Hancock Fabric.

beverly

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