Serious question, has anyone else bought a whole roll of fabric that was a total dud?

I just had to toss a full 15-yard roll of this linen blend I got online. It looked great in the pictures, but when it got here, the weave was so loose it frayed if you just looked at it hard. I lost about $180 on it, plus shipping. I tried to make a simple shift dress first, and the side seams just came apart during a test fit. Even a tight zigzag stitch didn't hold. The seller said it was 'lightweight for drape' but this was just poorly made. I'm so mad I didn't just get a swatch first. What's your rule for testing new fabric before you commit to a big buy?

4 comments

4 Comments

the_jana2mo ago

Always order a swatch first, even if it costs a few extra bucks. I got burned on some terrible rayon last year and now I never skip it. You can check the hand and the actual color, which saves so much trouble.

milam4822d ago

Swatches are NON-NEGOTIABLE. Learned that lesson the HARD way too.

parkerbrown2mo ago

Lightweight for drape" is just code for cheap junk.

patricia_gonzalez2mo ago

Wait, terrible rayon? That's the worst. I had some that pilled after one wash, like little fuzzy balls all over a skirt I was so excited about. It looked so sad and cheap. I don't trust anything labeled "drapey" now without feeling it first.