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  1. #1
    WendyI's Avatar WendyI is offline Senior Member
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    Default too much sizing?? and attn: fellow Ontarians...

    Ok I finally tackled the big quilt last night. Everything is cut and ready to commence sewing!

    However, before I do, I have a question about fabrics. I was pretty sure that I bought all 100% cotton fabrics but I am seeing a really noticeable difference in a few of them. First, there are two striped fabrics that seem much softer than the others and tend to not be stiff at all...which is a bit frustrating as the stripes are kind of "scewed"...not sure how else to describe it...and pressing doesn't seem to do much.

    Then there are two others that are the same print but in different colours and they almost feel rubbery! Is this too much sizing or have I purchased non-cottons here?? They were relatively cheap so if I have to replace them I will...but it's annoying.

    I also think I am getting old product lines but paying top dollar...how do I know? For my fellow Ontarians,...I shop at Lens Mills...any thoughts on them? They have much lower prices than my LQS but I think I'm getting old stuff??

  2. #2
    inspired is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: too much sizing?? and attn: fellow Ontarians...

    Hi Wendy; I too have had the same issues with Lens. I bought some fabric that I thought was cotton but after I washed it it was so flimsy. It ended up in the junk pile. I think I am better off to suck it up and pay the higher price. I would hate to put all the effort in a quilt and have the cheap fabric ruin it...Val

  3. #3
    Mchelem is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: too much sizing?? and attn: fellow Ontarians...

    I have noticed differences in fabrics even when they are 100% cotton.
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  4. #4
    madampolo's Avatar madampolo is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: too much sizing?? and attn: fellow Ontarians...

    It seems to me that some of the newer fabric has a lot of sizing on it. It is 100% cotton. So, it is stiffer, less soft. I rather like that. It means I don't have to put sizing on it like I do on the softer fabric. I think both fabrics are quality fabrics. The non-quality fabric is the very thin fabrics you can almost see through. I have bought those before, and they are not good to use.
    Joyce "She who dies with the most fabric wins!!"

  5. #5
    K. McEuen's Avatar K. McEuen is online now Moderator
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    Default Re: too much sizing?? and attn: fellow Ontarians...

    I've gotten some 100% cotton that is stiff as a board. Makes for easy cutting and sewing, but also makes me wonder how it will be when washed. Take some scrap of the stiff stuff and hand wash it to see how it turns out.
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  6. #6
    ChristineB's Avatar ChristineB is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: too much sizing?? and attn: fellow Ontarians...

    Hi Wendy, I am a fellow Ontarian but I have never been to Lens Mills. I buy most of my fabric at Fabricland in Mississauga or Burlington (the store in Milton closed a couple of years ago). Even at Fabricland, there is a big difference in quality of the 100% cottons. So, depending on what I'm buying the fabric for, I will either buy the cheaper fabric or wait until the quilting quality fabric goes on sale.

  7. #7
    nanaleslie's Avatar nanaleslie is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: too much sizing?? and attn: fellow Ontarians...

    I too wouldn't use flimsy material because it will ruin your quilt. Maybe use it on mug rugs or something but a quilt is just too much work to ruin it. You could always make yourself a dust cover for your sewing machine.

  8. #8
    lilmouse's Avatar lilmouse is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: too much sizing?? and attn: fellow Ontarians...

    I agree with the others above....and try washing a small piece and see how it feels after it dries...that will tell you allot! Even at my LQS there is differences in the feel of fabric and most of the time it is the sizing!

  9. #9
    WendyI's Avatar WendyI is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: too much sizing?? and attn: fellow Ontarians...

    But why the rubbery feeling? What is that? And ChristineB, I went to my local fabric land and really didnt care for it. i thunk I need to go to fabric school! I alwys feel like I dont really know what I am buying! Hate that feeling!

  10. #10
    dwil23 is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: too much sizing?? and attn: fellow Ontarians...

    Be sure to check the end of the bolt. It should tell you what the fiber content is. There are polyester, rayons and blends that look like cotton, but aren't. Since it is a big quilt, if you aren't sure, it might be best to replace it with a known fabric. Maybe make a lap quilt out of the others - not as much time invested if it is "bad" fabric.

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