What makes a good quality fabric? Quality fabrics have the same number of threads per inch in both directions.
They fray less, don’t stretch or shrink unevenly, yield finer appliqué points and curves, and allow hand quilters to achieve more stitches to the inch, so says the March 2006 edition of Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine.
But the real question is…how do you tell a quality fabric from a not-so-quality fabric? (I know how to tell if your fabric is a blend of polyester and cotton or 100% cotton...see my entry about "burning your fabric".)
But, I don't think my naked eye can see the number of threads per square inch, maybe yours can. Do not stress, quilter friends, now there is a tool out there called the R.O.S.E. –which stands for Roxanne Optimal Strand Estimator. This portable tool enables you to judge the evenness and quality of the weave. This tool, sold by Roxanne International (retail: $12.99), is one quilters might like, so says the magazine's product review.
According to Roxanne International’s website: “This awesome new tool will tell you the thread count of your fabric without your eyes having to focus on individual strands and track them across an inch under a magnifier! Use the R.O.S.E.(tm) to help you match grain lines in piecing, choose a fabric that won't fray during appliqué, or manipulate the drape in wearable arts. So many possible applications to help you make your quilts squarer, flatter, last longer and look spectacular!”
I can see quilter’s who fabric swap, buy fabric on online or from an unknown source or who inherit fabric from friends and family would be interested in finding out the quality of such fabric before incorporating it into a heirloom quilt.
This tool has caught my eye. I am interested in checking this thing out. Have you used this tool? Tell us what you think.
Photo credit: Roxanne International
They fray less, don’t stretch or shrink unevenly, yield finer appliqué points and curves, and allow hand quilters to achieve more stitches to the inch, so says the March 2006 edition of Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine. But the real question is…how do you tell a quality fabric from a not-so-quality fabric? (I know how to tell if your fabric is a blend of polyester and cotton or 100% cotton...see my entry about "burning your fabric".)
But, I don't think my naked eye can see the number of threads per square inch, maybe yours can. Do not stress, quilter friends, now there is a tool out there called the R.O.S.E. –which stands for Roxanne Optimal Strand Estimator. This portable tool enables you to judge the evenness and quality of the weave. This tool, sold by Roxanne International (retail: $12.99), is one quilters might like, so says the magazine's product review.
According to Roxanne International’s website: “This awesome new tool will tell you the thread count of your fabric without your eyes having to focus on individual strands and track them across an inch under a magnifier! Use the R.O.S.E.(tm) to help you match grain lines in piecing, choose a fabric that won't fray during appliqué, or manipulate the drape in wearable arts. So many possible applications to help you make your quilts squarer, flatter, last longer and look spectacular!”
I can see quilter’s who fabric swap, buy fabric on online or from an unknown source or who inherit fabric from friends and family would be interested in finding out the quality of such fabric before incorporating it into a heirloom quilt.
This tool has caught my eye. I am interested in checking this thing out. Have you used this tool? Tell us what you think.
Photo credit: Roxanne International
