Plenty of Fabrics!

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The 2 B's are constantly on the look out for the latest quality fabrics for all your quilting and crafting needs! We carry lines from Maywood Studio, Robert Kaufman, and Blank Quilting - just to name a few. 2 B's Quilt Shop is the largest quilt supply shop between Richmond and Newport News. That means that if you want it, we can probably get it for you!

What Makes a Quality Fabric?

A keepsake quilt begins with quality fabrics. Over the years, local sources for high-quality fabrics have dwindled. When our customers began to have difficulty finding the superior fabrics they required for their quilting and crafting projects, Betty and Bobbi took upon the challenge for them. The 2 B's Quilt Shop is now the largest quilt supply shop between Richmond and Newport News, and if you can't find it, we will get it for you. To place an order or ask about a particular fabric type, simply give the B's a call at 804-758-2642 or send us an email with the words "Fabric Order" in the subject line.

It's easy to be distracted by the many colors and patterns you will find when you walk into a fabric store. For many quilters, choosing the fabrics for their next project is the most exciting part of the quilt making process. But not all fabrics are created equal, and superior fabrics will ensure your project will last for generations to come. Most of the best fabrics for quilt making are 100% cotton.
  • Cotton fabrics are easy to press, and they hold their form better than any other fabrics.
  • Cotton fabrics provide a bit of room for error. Unlike other fabrics, cotton fabrics will give a little. That means if your seams are off, you can stretch one section of your quilt to line things up.
  • Cotton is natural. It's strong and will hold up to years of use.
  • Cotton fabrics will hold together without sliding. That means little to no pinning is required for less intricate stitching.
  • Cottons are the perfect fabrics for quilt making because they hold your body heat in to keep you warm all night long.
So how can you tell if a particular fabric is a quality choice for your next quilt project? There are many factors that determine the quality of a good quilting fabric. The number of threads per inch is a good thing to check first. Ideally there will be 68-78 threads and they will be woven in both directions, forming perfect right angles when they cross. This will ensure a strong and durable fabric. To the touch, the fabric should feel soft and silky, almost satin-like. If the fabric is rough and stiff, you can guarantee it will shrink and become limp after you've washed it. If the fabric has a strong chemical odor, it should be avoided as well. Most likely it has been treated to feel stronger and thicker than it actually is. Of course, at 2 B's Quilt Shop, we've done all the work for you and we carry only the best quality fabrics for you to select from.

Many quilters love to work with Batiks (pronounced bah-teeks.) Batik fabrics are imported to the U.S. from Indonesia; and unlike the screen printing methods used on most calicos, batiks are still made by hand using the traditional wax and dye methods that have been in practice for centuries. Because of this dyeing process, one cannot tell the "inside" of a batik from the "outside," the colors and patterns are strong all through the fabric. Once you've seen them for yourself, you will understand why batiks are quite often some of a quilter's most prized fabrics in her stash. Whatever fabric choice you make for your next quilt project, if you purchase your fabrics from 2 B's Quilt Shop, you'll know you're getting only the best quality fabrics - without any second guessing - because we will only purchase from the top-name fabric makers and suppliers in the U.S.


 

How To Prepare Your Fabrics

After you've planned your quilt and purchased all your supplies, the next decision you must make is whether or not to wash your fabrics. Many quilting instructions will insist you pre-wash your fabrics while others will tell you this step is not necessary. So what is a quilter to do? For the most part, it's a personal choice. Here are some tips to help you decide for yourself.

You should pre-wash your fabrics if you are making a quilt with a distinct design that will lie or hang flat, such as a bed quilt, wall hanging, or table runner. Fabrics may shrink, causing your project to pucker or wrinkle. Pre-washing is also necessary for dark colors, reds, and hot pinks, which are likely to bleed and should be washed several times before beginning your project. In addition, if you have sensitive skin or allergic to chemicals or dyes, you should pre-wash your fabrics to avoid skin irritation.

You can avoid pre-washing if you'd like your quilt to have that worn-in look after you've washed it the first time. The puckering and wrinkling that occurs will give it a vintage look some quilters prefer. If your project is for display only and you don't anticipate ever having to wash it, you can definitely skip the pre-wash. If you have just enough fabric for your project and you won't be able to obtain more, avoid pre-washing. Some fabrics unravel when washed, and you could lose valuable needed inches.