Question for internet fabric shoppers

Further to Estelle's previous thread - mental block - about color questions and colors appearing differently on various monitors...How do you get over not know what color you are really getting when you order fabric online? The only time I've ordered fabric online is when I've already had some of the fabric and can order more quantity so I know what I'm really getting - not counting dye lots, of course. But what about when you're trying to coordinate with something else and you're not buying selections from a particular 'collection'? How do you get past 'it looked blue on my monitor' and you end up with something completely different? I'm not really a stash collector. I usually buy for specific projects to both save $$ and I have next to no room for storage anyhow.

Curious Kim in NJ

Reply to
AuntK
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I get most of my fabric now on-line, but I think I shop differently. I have purchased more of a specific fabric that I had to search for, like you mentioned, but for the most part I will pick fabrics that look "close enough" color wise and not worry too much about it. I've been on-line fabric shopping for years, and though sometimes the fabric is a bit of a different color when it arrives than what I expected, I've never had a problem with that. I think it actually helps me, since I tend to be so "matchy-matchy", which doesn't generally give me the best results. Having the color a bit different than expected works for me.

Trixie

Reply to
Trixie

And let me tell you about a happy online shopping experience. Using fabrics from just one designer line bores me to tears; I hate the matchy/matchy with no personal touch. I do. Flat. Insipid. However - I wanted to use some blocks from an Old Glory panel that weren't quite straight. (Are they Ever?) I asked the nice people at Fabric Shack - just when they had time - to see if they could match the background for me so I could square the blocks. They did. Perfectly. You can put your nose down on the blocks and not see where I had to fudge some blocks to force them into the block pattern by adding a wedge of the fabric they sent me. Hats off to Fabric Shack - I also think that Keepsake will do that for you. Conclusion? Some online fabric shops will work with you, some...you'll never hear from. It's a grand adventure. I never expected to be able to shop all over the earth - barefooted. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

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I wasn't thinking so much matchy/matchy (then again, maybe it is). I was thinking more along 'I want blue somethings on a greyish/white background' kind of thing and the 'blue' that you see turns out to be green or something else all together or the background is more tan and doesn't really work with the rest of the tones. I do this with clothing as well. I get something in my head that I want, try to find it and get totally frustrated that it doesn't exist.

Reply to
AuntK

I wasn't thinking so much matchy/matchy (then again, maybe it is). I was thinking more along 'I want blue somethings on a greyish/white background' kind of thing and the 'blue' that you see turns out to be green or something else all together or the background is more tan and doesn't really work with the rest of the tones. I do this with clothing as well. I get something in my head that I want, try to find it and get totally frustrated that it doesn't exist.

Reply to
Estelle Gallagher

I went on an internet-fabric-shopping spree one very bored day, and ordered from many different vendors. Some of them I was amazed at the service, and like Polly said, some I never heard from. I think if you're planning on buying signifcant yardage, it wouldn't hurt to ask if they'll send you a swatch for a small fee. It might make or break your decision. You never know till you ask. I am completely sold on internet fabric shopping now, if I can't find it at LQS. Sherry

Reply to
Sherry

Before my major stash implosion I started buying most of my fabric online. Only one time was I dissatisifed with what I got and the company quickly made it right. They didn't even ask that I send the fabric back. Maybe that was because I did buy a lot of fabrics from them to start with. For me it is much more convient to buy fabric online. I am not usually looking to buy a piece to fit into a project that I have already started but I have found pieces on line that I could not find anywhere else and I wanted to replace because I had used it all up. It is not likely I will be buying any fabrics for a very long time now. I finally got the stash all put away. It looks great and now I am back to having fun with my quilting projects. julia

Reply to
juliasb

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