Buying fabric on line can be a bit confusing . . . even nerve racking when you can't actually touch & feel the fabric. We will try to describe the different types of fabric that we carry so that you can make your purchases with confidence. We are always ready to answer any questions that you have about any of our fabric... whether the hand, drape or colors.

Quilting Weight:  Quilting weight fabric does have some variance in the actual weight, but in general, it is a light to mid-weight woven fabric, usually 45" wide. We sell only 100% cotton quilting weight fabric, but some vendors may sell a poly/cotton blend as well, so be sure to check. When making any project, you will want to use either all 100% cotton fabrics or all blends so that they will shrink at the same rate. Quilting weight fabrics tend to have a slightly crisp hand and are easy to cut and sew. While, as the name implies, it is most commonly used in quilting, it is certainly used widely for apparel and home decor projects as well. The vast array of prints, patterns and colors can be such an inspiration. The fabric can be either printed or yarn dyed (the individual threads, or yarns, are dyed before weaving). This fabric is machine washable & dryable.

Home Decor Weight: Home Decor, or Home Dec,  fabric is a mid-heavy weight fabric that is most commonly used for upholstery, draperies, duvets, pillows and other home decorating projects. They can also be used in apparel sewing... especially for coats, jackets and pants. These fabrics are not as heavy as an Upholstery weight fabric and do not have a backing, which many Upholstery fabrics do have. Most Home Decor fabrics are either a Twill weave (like denim) or a Sateen weave which has a slight sheen and softer drape. These fabrics are strong and durable and normally 54" wide. This fabric is machine washable & dryable.

Voile: Voile is a light weight, semi-sheer fabric with a crisp hand. It is usually made of 100% cotton and 54" wide. Voile is a versatile fabric that can be used for apparel applications such as dresses, blouses, scarfs & skirts. Because it is a semi-sheer fabric, layering or lining is recommended for most apparel applications. Voile is also widely used for soft, sheer draperies & summer quilts. It is machine washable on the delicate setting & laid flat to dry.

Rayon Challis:  Rayon challis is a light weight fabric with wonderful drape. Rayon is a semi-man made fiber made from cellulose (primarily wood pulp). Challis is a plain weave with a semi-fluid hand and is soft and absorbent. It is often seen in loose, tropical garments such as Hawaiian shirts & wrap skirts. Rayon is known for taking dyes well, which results in rich, bright colors. Rayon challis can be found in either 45" or 54" widths. Machine washing on the delicate setting or hand washing & drying is recommended.

Linen Blend: Our Linen blend fabrics are middle weight, straight weave and crisp hand. Linen is made from flax fibers and is especially prone to wrinkling, so these fabrics have been blended with cotton to diminish that tendency. These linens are perfect for summer apparel with a little more structure, such as jackets, dresses & pants. They are also great for home decor applications, such as pillows, duvets & draperies. The linen blend fabrics in our store are all 54" wide. It is recommended to machine wash on the cold setting & tumble dry on the low setting.