This is variable, most times I`m looking for good quality because the embroidery takes a lot of time and stuff (thread, vlies) and so I think I have to take good fabrics to enjoy a long time.
But I buyed also cheap stuff, washed it and then I embroidered on, if it was ok after washing.

Same here..I hate wasting my time on poor quality fabric or any other items...embroidery loooooks so much better on a quality item

When you make something to give or to sell. you are representing yourself. If you want repeat customers You should sell quality work. The same with gifts, If you are making something with some ones name on it, maybe for a baby or a special occasion. They might want to keep it as an heirloom. Buy quality but look for it on sale.

I try and get better quality towel and sweatshirts, but buy when it's a good sale. Material, I have cheap to good, but try and wash and see if it can be used. To much work to have somebody throw it away. I also think it shows in your work. I have been collecting craft supplies and material, zippers, buttons, etc., plastic canvas, snaps for years, so I'm lucky just to go to basement to sew. I do not sell anymore because people want the best for nothing and I don't have time for that. I have a basement full of stuff from 60's-70's up to now. You try and sell, they tell you its not worth as much today!!!Well it can stay in the basement tell my kids throw it away, or use it. I'm spoiled, but worked for years to get there. LOL!

I buy cheap for practice or testing colors and expensive (on sale) for any finished project.
It is true that people where I live rarely want to pay what an item is worth. Sometimes I will have the person requesting the item -- go buy the towels or fabric and thread themselves. That way they get the quality they want as they buy it and the only expense they see from me is my time/skills spent. Separating it out seems to be the key in helping others see my time is worth something.

The best quality for the money. I can't do microfiber or polyester at all so for me, the fabric is very important.

I prefer a bit better quality - too much work to put something on an item to have it not stay nice. I am a devoted bargain shopper - always watching for a sale or coupon to make the better stuff a bit less expensive. I sell primarily ITH things - which start with raw fabric instead of an "item". I generally stay with the mid-priced fabrics - and always watching for that sale.

I also prefer quality fabric and will wait for sales to purchase. We are all so much alike.

It depends what I am embroidering. If for a present then I buy quality. If it is for my GC I am inclined to buy cheap as they grow so quickly.

I agree with you,If you are going to spend your valuable time why not use the best qualtiy you can afford. I can never figure out why anyone would spend hours on a project that is going to last a short time!

Depends. I have a few things I get at a really good price. I've washed & washed them & know they hold up. I've also had some expensive items NOT hold up. So I guess you need to test them just like you do your embroidery?? I like the Gildan tee shirts sold at Hobby Lobby, AC Moore, etc as they really do wash well. AND don't draw up very much. Get them on sale & they are good.

I mostly embroider gifts for family and friends. I would not gift a low quality item with embroidery to make it appear a higher quality. It's a waste of time. However, that choice is removed if sewing or embroidering customer supplied items.

Most of my hand towels are from Walmart and in my bush that;s the best you get.I have had no problems and some i wash weekly.
The nice towels i just did my applique on were thick and a better quality but still there only two dollars @ Giant tiger.I also look for the nice ones at the dollar store ,if u go in weekly you get the best .Hugs Carolyn

Hi there, If I am making a gift, I use quality fabrics/ietems. Do embroidery on goods that the customers buy themselves, that way they get what they purchase them selves. Hugs Yvonne

I have always been taught to buy the very best that you can afford. It is something we still do today. Sometimes you get very good at very good prices & if not I like to wait for the sales when I can. I have however been know to buy fabric @ ridiculous prices just because I was drawn to it. I do have a rule that is if it is really pricey walk away & if I still really want it then I can go back the next day & more often then not I will not go back.

I have bought what I thought were bargains and embroidered on them only to find after washing I got what I paid for. So I wasted my time and thread , I will pay more for a quality product and be so much happier with the end result. Never would I give a gift made from cheap-o fabric.

I find that cost is not necessarily an indication of quality. There isn't a lot of choice around her so I buy the fabric I like when I see it. Some is really cheap and some isn't.
Most of my sewing is either for charity or to test out my own designs so cost is an important factor.
I am intimidated by very expensive fabrics and garments I buy to embroider. I find I am much more likely to ruin them, probably because I am being too careful!

I'm a coward...................so before I answer, is your friend likely to read my reply? I know, I know...................but you can't be too careful these days!

The bad part is that price sometimes doesn't indicate quality, I've seen some pricey items that should have been better quality and it wasn't. You just have to watch what you buy, just because it comes from what we think is a better store is not necessarily the case. I like to also watch fabric content and thickness as in towels.

I Do my test out on cheap fabric or towels and if I like the design or item I will repeat it on good items. Happy Stitching Brenda Lea

I love bargains but I will spend the time to feel fabric and check out the content before purchasing. I was out other day and hubby could not believe I took 3 hours for the fabric I brought home. Not to mention I hear the famous hope your got room for it. I do same with t shirts, towels,etc when giving I get better quality even if I have to dig for good price. I have bought expensive only to get some disappointments so I have taken time to learn what I felt would hold up. I practice on mostly cotton fabric.

One area where I will choose the middle quality rather than the top price is bath towels. The high quality get so thick and harder to emb. on. On kitchen towels, my rule is, I have to get the towel for $2 or less. Otherwise, in my craft booth, I have to charge more than people will pay with a design on it! On most things, I want excellent quality. Luckily, I live about 30 minutes from a textile outlet store!

I purchase quality goods, but I buy in bulk when there is a sale. For instance I will buy t-shirts to embroider on at the end of the season (long sleeves now) and will get a really good deal. I purchase sheet sets and towels in January when everyone in the U.S. has their "white" sale.

It pays to know the normal price of a item ,so you know if the special price is really a special.I have bought cheap embroidery threads & have no trouble with them.The items on which I embroidered using these threads have been through the washing machine dozens of times using cold water (which can be warm depending on the seaon) & dried in the sun.Recently bought 10 cent zips some of which had been trod on they washed up like new.I am wary of things made in China ,more often or not cheap & nasty.If in doubt ,buy one wash it to see how it goes ,then go back & stock up if you are happy with the end result.

Quality over quantity every time - and it shows! Love Chris

My dad used to say you pay for what you get
but sometimes how the material feels is a good judge

I prefer to buy quality , but also hunt out specials ,then buy extras

A special is always welcome, but I agree quality lasts alot longer so the memory lasts that bit longer too..

If it's for my own and a bought a cheap but good looking and comfortable sweater ore somethinglike that, I like to pimp it up with an embroidery to make it more special. But when I do towels or that kind of stuff I prefer good quality, because it will be in use and will have to be washed many times. I think it's a waiste of time and material to embroider on bad quality. but sometimes you can be lucky and can buy good quality for a cheap price, That's what I prefer the most :)

Hi Asterixsew, I agree with you i love to know that the quality of goods I use are satisfying for all, even if its someone else's you must always remember you present yourself in whatever you do and I can see you proud of what you do, yip its more expensive but sooooo much more satisfying to see the faces of those who receive the gifts, just my opinion, but all people have there own ideas. hugs Magda

I tend to buy both. Cheap and expensive. Cheap and good looking for me and nice for gifts. Suzanne

I buy good and expensive fabric and towels to embroider on.

I'm not fond of the cheap stuff as too often you get exactly what you pay for. I wouldn't want a customer buying or using something I wouldn't use myself. I'm not saying to only buy the most expensive blanks there are but use some common sense as to what is reasonable quality and the best value for your money. Sometimes the dollar stores have decent products and sometimes they only have the cheap ones and they look like cheap ones too! You have to remember your customers have to pay more than you because of the embroidery and set up fees involved and a cheapie is still a cheapie when it comes to quality no matter how awesome your design is. My rule of thumb is if I wouldn't buy it or use it, then neither will a customer.
Meri