ladykalessia: Rant: On quilting economics: "Sewing and textile design has gone from something that everyone does (ie, sew their own clothes at home) to either a hobby, or a highly commodified skill (see: Project Runway). Because of this, and a weird, nostalgia-driven increase in interest in quilting, mostly by aging baby-boomer women, quilting has eclipsed sewing actual *garments* in popularity. Because, you know, *anyone* can sew a bunch of triangles together and call it a quilt, but it takes patience and some skill to put together a decent-looking jacket.
Nowadays, if you go to any commercial fabric store, like a Hancock Fabrics, JoAnn's, Beverleys, etc, you'll find that about 70% of the store is devoted to 'quilter cottons', which are the cheapest quality fabric known to man (usually something like 60% polyester, 40% cotton or similar) stamped cheaply on one side with some tiny print that disappears from several feet away, which are completely unsuitable for anything *but* quilt blocking. And because quilters are, for the most part, bored older women hobbyists with too much money on their hands, the stores get away with charging between $5 and $15 *a yard* for these cheap fabrics. (To give you an idea, I can get *nice* silk charmeuse satin for about $7 a yard if I know where to look.) So the profit margin on these fabrics is *huge*"
There are some valid points here - BUT there are also some not so valid points!!
People who quilt do it because they love it Not because they find it easier than sewing a jacket... To make a great quilt takes a lot of skill - And I'm sure there are many quilters out there who would be insulted to have their skill level being overlooked! A great quilt can not only be a quilt to put on the sofa or bed or even used to make a very warm jacket (shock horror) BUT it is also considered to be a peice of art... Quilters are working with DESIGN and using their creative talents to come up with beautiful quilts (one offs).
I also personally know many quilters who are any thing but middle aged women with too much money!! To reduce a group of people to this description is insane. I know quilters who have young children and want to make quilts for their kids to keep them warm and as keepsakes - they also do it because they have little money! Some of my friends actually make lots of money making quilts for other people!! In fact in know very few - if any quilters who would fit into your demeaning description.
If you have a problem with the price of material 'do some thing about it', ie: get a buyers group together, search the net for wholesale options or open the phone book etc., but don't blame quilters because their hobby/skill is popular at the moment!
In my opinion the price has gone up because the shops see the rise in quilting popularity and therefore know where the money is to be made. In other words they have made some smart commercial decisions!! These things work in cycles and eventually SEWING will also come full swing and rise in popularity!
More power to the Quilters !! :)
