Have you ever tried to find quality fabrics on the Internet to use as quilting squares in one of your quilting projects? Try doing an internet search on the words "finding quilting fabrics online", and you will get back in the neighborhood of three million results. There are definitely many site choices available. How do you decide where you will find the quality fabrics your projects require?
At first glance, you might think it would be easier to go to a fabric store where you can see the actual colors and the quality of the fabrics by feeling them and holding them next to each other. However, it would take far more time to physically visit twenty stores than to visit twenty Internet sites to find the patterns and colors you may be envisioning.
There are some strategies for purchasing your quilting fabric online that can be very helpful. One of the best and most foolproof ways is to request a swatch of the materials you are considering using. If you don't have the time to wait for swatches, an alternative would be to read the description of the fabric to see if the colors described sound like what you are seeing. It would also be an excellent idea to read the reviews made by other customers to see if they refer to the accuracy of the colors for that particular supplier.
Another factor to consider is the amount of material you will need versus the quantity of stock for that particular fabric. You will need to purchase the entire amount you need on you first order, as subsequent runs or bolts of the same material can vary in color shades. Take into consideration that some fabrics are wider than others, so double check your measurements in order to be sure you will have enough.
You can also buy your quilting fabrics at one of the online auction sites. You will need to be careful of some of the shipping costs though. It is a good idea to look at where the fabric will be coming from to see if it is in your state or adjacent states. That way you can request a reduction in shipping costs due to being in the same shipping zone. Once you find the fabric you are looking for, you should always search the Internet to make sure you have found the very best price. There are many websites that carry fabric, and some may sell the very same fabric you want to use. It never hurts to search on the style and color you are looking for.
These tips should help you when buying your quilting fabrics online. It is easy once you learn how. Once you get the hang of it, you will be able to search ten or twenty sites very quickly in order to find just the right fabric!
