Quilting Fabric

This depends on your project and personal preference. Pre-washing softens the fabric and prevents shrinkage or color bleeding before you cut. Most quilting cottons shrink 2-5% on the first wash. If you're mixing fabrics from different manufacturers, pre-washing may help ensure consistent shrinkage. However, many quilters prefer the crisp hand of unwashed fabric for accurate cutting and piecing, then accept the slight puckering that occurs after the finished quilt is washed. Neither approach is wrong.

Quilting cotton has a tighter weave and is slightly heavier than most apparel cottons. This density makes it stable for piecing, holds seams well, and withstands repeated washing. The tighter weave also means your needle makes clean holes rather than pushing threads aside. Apparel cottons like voile, lawn, and shirting are lighter and drape more softly, which is lovely for clothing but can shift and stretch during piecing. For quilt projects, stick with fabric labeled as quilting cotton.

The majority of our fabric is 44-45" wide. Fabric panels vary in size; our panels will list their dimensions. After trimming the selvages (the tightly woven edges with manufacturer information), you'll have approximately 42-43 inches of usable width. Quilt patterns typically calculate yardage requirements based on 42 inches of usable fabric width. Some specialty fabrics, such as wide backings, are available in 108-inch widths for quilt backs without seams.