A Word On Fabric Quality...

In Germany, we had a lovely MWR-run craft store. They had the most beautiful fabric I had ever seen. Coming from the land of Hobby Lobby and Joanne's Fabric, let's just say I experienced a bit of sticker shock. Ten dollars a yard?! Of quilting cotton?!?! Yes, ten, sometimes more, sometimes on sale, (sweet sweet Black Friday fabric sale) but this stuff, I had come to find, was worth every penny. See, quilters spend a whole heck of a lot of time and effort to make a quilt, and it is a worthwhile investment to use high-quality materials. Could you imagine the heartbreak of putting hours into a quilt, and washing it three times before it started to disintegrate? *full body shiver*

Well, I don't quilt. I think the people who do are math geniuses, and I bow down to them in all their glory. I DO make items that are handled a bunch though. Purses, toys, and clothing need to withstand a lot of abuse! That's why I've embraced the extra cost. If a few more dollars means years added to the lifetime of what I make, it's a small price to pay.

Why bring this up now, you ask? I was a little bit traumatized on a recent trip to one of the aforementioned big-box fabric stores. It was made alarmingly clear to me that *gasp* all fabrics are not created equal. I thought that, perhaps, the price difference had to do with buying in volume, these stores had discounts because they're national chains with tons of buying power!... WRONG! They are cheaper because they sell cheap fabric. Cheap like lousy quality. Like... see for yourself  :

(I took all of these pictures using my iPhone to maintain an equal representation)

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

I use Minky dot a lot. I love it. It is soft, wears very well, and dots are fun to pet. Exhibits A and B are the kind of Minky dot you can buy for $6.99/yard, or less if you bring in a coupon, shop on a Tuesday, or know the secret handshake. This is what they look like fresh, straight off the bolt.

Exhibit:C

Exhibit: D

Exhibit: E

Exhibits C, D, and E are $12.90/yard Minky Dot, often less on sale. I buy this online from Fabric.com. This is what it looks like after being machine washed and dried. The pile is consistent, the dots are raised and uniform, and perfect even when the pile is petted against the grain (Exhibit:E).  

As I launch my business, I want everyone to know, that while I could make what I make with supplies that cost only a few pennies, I choose not to. It's not worth my time, or the buyer's for me to do that. There are certainly people who can make what I make and charge half as much! Just take into consideration the QUALITY of said item. It makes a world of difference! 

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Dare I Blog?

My last post was in November... Of 2013. Yikes. Sorry about that. If it makes a difference, it only feels like that was 3 weeks ago to me. I had a baby, moved across the world, and now I'm settling in to a new life in Kentucky.

I look back at my early bloggings, and they fill me with warm fuzzies, as well as a bit of hopelessness. I was in a personal sweet-spot. Dom was old enough to enjoy playing with cars all day long, I was healthy, not pregnant, I had virtually no other pressing responsibilities, and beautiful materials at my fingertips. Oh my, how things are different.

By no means am I complaining (very loudly), but Dominic spends his days at school, while the small one requires my every ounce of attention, forever. I love it, I do, I also love spending some time without tiny hands pulling my hair. Just a few minutes, here and there. You know, so I can get my hands on fabric, and do what I do, because it makes my brain feel good.

I'm currently attempting to balance giving everyone my undying, bottomless, whole-hearted devotion, and opening an Etsy shop to satisfy my need to make things (and not hoard things). Forgive me for saying this because I gag when other people use the words *dream* and especially *passionate*, but this shop has been a *DREAM* of mine for years... and it's so close to being a reality.

So, I'll leave you with that small bit of excitement, and hope to be here again before November.

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