What's the difference

**mrscornbread** · 12-28-2002, 09:37 PM

in buying fat quarters for $ 1.29 and buying fabric on sale like I saw at Joann's today? I saw some great colors and patterns, I held back because I didnt know if we could substitute and dont want to be unlike everyone else in the tutorial. Can you cut your own 18x22? Also would the salvages matter in terms of which way they run? Hmmmmmmmmm.....

**homesteadmamma** · 12-28-2002, 11:12 PM

You can purchase material by the yard/metre if you wish and then cut into fat quarters once you get them home.

The only reason I'm using fat quarters is because it is easier for me to do the tutorial and to explain the cuts.

But if you want, purchase it has you wish. Someone else here has already done that and I know Kindred was also doing it.

Tip: A great thing about quilting is that YOU make the decision has to how you want to do things. I'm only the teacher helping you to learn how to quilt, but once I show you, you make all the final decisions. Its the exact same thing with the material, you make the final decision has to how you want to purchase the material.

**SewCrafty** · 12-29-2002, 01:06 AM

Robin, the selvages shouldn't be a problem either way. Do not count them in the length or width though as you will be cutting them off. The fabric is too tightly woven in the selvage to be used. It will make your square/triangle whatever pucker. The same goes for anything you make, be it clothing or decor. You never use the selvage.

HTH

**mrscornbread** · 12-29-2002, 01:55 AM

Thanks Sew Crafty, but what I meant was, does it matter as in which way you lay things out. I guess I mean the grain of the fabric sorry...

**SewCrafty** · 12-29-2002, 02:01 AM

CJ, correct me if I'm wrong, but if we are using only 100% cotton it shouldn't matter which way the grain is going top to bottom or side to side. 100% cotton doesn't give very much at all only on the bias (diagonal).

Sorry I didn't understand you the first time Robin.

**SewCrafty** · 12-29-2002, 02:03 AM

I have sooooo much fabric, I'm not buying any (except maybe yellow, I haven't even looked at what I have yet!) that I will be cutting my own fat quarters.

**mrscornbread** · 12-29-2002, 02:11 AM

I think I will too, especially with my irst attempt, but my biggest reason is that I found some great colors and good quality material on learance at Joann's. I want something with vibrant colors for my first baby. Thanks guys........

**homesteadmamma** · 12-29-2002, 11:15 AM

Sewcrafty is right - 100% cotton doesn't give much so it doesn't matter all that much unless the particular pattern your working on says to cut a specific way. When your doing applique (which we won't be doing for this tutorial, but later in the year I will be) then you really need to watch your grains.

Just make sure that the material you are purchasing is 100% cotton. Often you can get wonderful material but its not 100% cotton. When that material is on sale, I purchase it for making clothes, etc. but not for quilting.

TIP: When you see material you like and its a good price, always pick some up. I always purchase 2 metres but you can purchase any amount you want. The reason I do this is because I learnt the hard way, when I went back for it, it had all be sold out. In purchasing 2 metres, I find that I will have lots for a specific quilt and not run out!!!

IMO you can never have to much material if you plan on quilting and sewing. I can run to my stash now and just pick out a piece to make an outfit for a bunny, a tablecloth if I desire, etc. Had I not had a stockpile of it, I wouldn't be quilting right now due to finances!!

Boy am I long winded this morning!!

**Kindred-Spirit** · 12-29-2002, 11:27 AM

How many yards are in 2 metes? BTW Mrscornbread, I did end up buying a little crate with 15 fat quarters for $15 after I had used the 50% coupon. The lines were too long to stand it, so I am happy iwth my stash. lol