Patchwork Fabric Information

Important information about patchwork fabrics.

All patchwork fabrics are 100% cotton with a nominal width of 106-114cm (42"-44") unless stated otherwise.

Due to the limitations of colour printing, image colours may vary from actual fabric colours, with certain colours (such as reds) being particularly difficult to reproduce. Use the images on this online shop only as a guide, please do not use them to colour match fabric.

We stock fabric from a wide range of manufacturers, from the UK, Europe, America and Japan. Some of our main fabric suppliers are Stof, Rowan (also known as Westminster in America), Makower, Moda, Robert Kaufman, Sevenberry, RJR and Fabric Freedom. Fabric usually comes to us on a fabric bolt, which is usually a cardboard insert around which the fabric is wrapped. The size of the fabric bolts is usually from 8m to 16m in total length. So if you order say 20m of fabric then it is likely that we can not supply in one continuous piece.

We sell usually sell fabric in quarter metre units. So for example, if you wish to order 1 ½ metres enter "6" as the quantity (6 x 1/4m = 1 ½ metres). The fabric will be sent as a single piece.

A quarter of a metre cut of a bolt is 25cm wide by the fabric width, which is also called a Long Quarter

The majority of the fabrics on our website are 100% cotton fabric which are designed for patchwork and quilting. The weight of these fabrics is probably slightly lighter than traditional dress weight fabrics. We do sell some heavier weight home dec fabrics which are more suitable to heavier use for example as bags or cushions. But the majority of our fabrics are perfectly suitable for a variety of other crafts such as cushions, dressmaking, light weight curtains and accessories for the home.

As well as fabric on the bolt we also sell a variety of pre-cut fabric packs. These are usually cut to a specific size.

Our fat quarter gift packs contain Fat Quarters of fabric. To get a Fat Quarter, the fabric is cut at 50cm and then slit half way along the width to give a fatter piece of fabric. Please note we do not sell fat quarters individually.

A Jelly Roll contains 40 fabrics cut into 2 1/2" strips across the width of the fabric. The Jelly Roll name is a trademark of Moda fabrics and there are similar products such as Bali Pops and Strip rolls that are also cut to 2 1/2" wide strips.

A Layer Cake contains fabrics cut into 10" squares, The Cotton Patch uses the term Patchwork Palette to refer to our 10" square packs.

A Charm pack of fabric contains fabrics cut to 5" squares.

Our Special Collection packs contain fabrics cut to 9" x 11".

Washing patchwork fabrics.

Some patchworkers prefer not to prewash fabric, but prewashing new fabrics generally ensures that there will be no uneven
shrinkage and no transfer of colours when the finished piece is washed. These guidelines
apply to most 100% cotton fabrics, but we would always advise testing a small piece
first as manufacturing processes do vary:

Unfold all fabrics before putting into the washing machine.

Wash light coloured fabrics in tepid water with a phosphate free detergent.

Soak dark coloured fabrics individually in cold water for approximately half an hour and then machine wash in cold water
with a phosphate free detergent.

Ensure your washing machine is set to a low spin cycle, Tumble fabric almost dry then
remove and press with an iron.

Completed quilts made from light and dark fabrics should only be washed in cold water.