Sewing 101: How To Read A Fabric Bolt
When you walk into a fabric store, you'll notice that most fabric is wrapped around cardboard bolts that stand upright on shelves. What you may not notice is that at the end each bolt is a label that provides important information about the fabric. If you want 100% cotton, read the label so you don't accidentally come home with a poly-cotton blend. But, there's a lot more good information on that little label...
Today, I'm looking for a cheery yellow fabric I can use to make an ottoman cover. The one with the pink and yellow dots caught my eye:
Fabric on the Bolt
Before I ask someone to cut 2 yards for me, I want to know if this fabric is suitable for my project. The label on the end of the bolt (shown below) answers that question.
Really Important Information
- Width: 44/45" (115cm)
- Content: 100% Cotton
- Care : Machine wash cool. Tumble dry low. Not suitable for children's sleepware.
- Price per yard: $9.99
Less Important, But Good to Know
- Manufacturer: Westminster Fibers, Inc.
- Brand: Rowan Fabrics
- Fabric Designer: Amy Butler
- Fabric Line: Midwest Modern
- Design : Martini
- Color: Gold (AB26)
- Fabric on a full bolt : 15 yards (13.71m)
Since I'm not making children's sleepware, this fabric will work well. And, from reading the label, I know the fabric I chose is part of Amy Butler's Midwest Modern line. Sometime in the future, I plan to make several pillows for the same room and will look to this line for complementary fabrics.
Rolled Fabric
You're also likely to see fabric hanging horizontally from wooden dowels. These rolls are usually wider fabrics – often drapery and upholstery fabrics. In this case, look for a hang tag for fabric information.
Refer to Your Pattern
If you're using a purchased project pattern, you'll find information on the pattern envelope that tells you how much fabric to buy based on the width of the fabric. Most patterns also suggest the type of fabric that will work best for that particular pattern. By reading the label on the bolt, you'll know if the fabric you like is a reasonable choice.
I recently read the appropriate threads per inch for quilting fabric but I do not see where it indicates that on the bolt information.
@ Cindy - I've never seen thread count on a fabric bolt. If you stick with Designer quilting cottons from the major manufacturers (Moda, FreeSpirit, Rowan, Michael Miller, Riley Blake, etc.), you can be assured they are top quality and designed for quilting success.
Just a note on children's sleepware.
There was a law that went into effect many years ago saying children's sleepwear had to be flame retardant. (This after a little girl's flannel nightgown got to close to the fireplace, killing her). That is why most children's sleepware is polyester.
You can make children's sleepware out of anything you want. It's up to you whether you want to or not.
And not all name brands are the same. VIP/Cranston shrinks more one way (warp or weft) than the other.
In any event, I've been sewing since I was a teenager and bolt labels also once told you the weight of a fabric.
Probably on the second picture the land or origine would be completly under the price.
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