A wonderful selection of wovens is something Corn Wagon is known for. Our love for the rich, textural depth this textile offers to a quilt has only grown as more and more designers are welcoming them to their work. Some of you may be asking what qualifies a fabric as a "woven?" Who is producing the best quality for quilt-making? How does one work with their unique nature? When is a woven the right choice for a project? Let's investigate!
What is a woven? I know what you may be thinking. Aren't all quilters cotton fabrics woven? Yes, indeed they are, but when we refer to wovens, we're talking about textiles in which the design is woven into the fabric creating pattern and sometimes texture using yarn-dyed threads as opposed to printing on the surface of the substrate. Picture warp and weft yarns on a loom with various thread colors creating a design on both the front and the back as the textile emerges, like those shown above. They can also read as a solid when fewer colors are incorporated, like the chambrays below. Sometimes referred to as homespuns, wovens are as steeped in tradition as textiles can be, with variations seen from cultures around the world throughout history. That's why quilts that feature wovens often have a timeless, heirloom quality about them.
Who produces quilters quality wovens these days? Wovens are really having a moment with fabric designers adding their own signature style to the medium. Traditional homespuns from companies like Diamond Textiles and Marcus Fabrics lend a more traditional feel while artists like Kaffe Fassett and the ladies at Ruby Star Society make great use of modern color combos for a distinct look. Moda Fabrics regularly produce gorgeous wovens with an almost silky hand to complement their print collections. These are just a few of the favorites we offer at Corn Wagon, all of which are considered quilters high-quality goods.
PREWASHING Some quilters prefer to prewash their wovens in a gentle, cold wash and cool dryer (be sure to zig-zag raw edges first to prevent unraveling in the wash). This shrinks the cotton fibers into a tighter weave. You'll need to allow more yardage to cover the shrinkage so if this is the route you take, plan yardage accordingly.
STARCHING Whether you choose to prewash or not, starching your wovens before you start cutting is always helpful. Apply your starch of choice or liquid fabric stabilizer liberally to the entire fabric. Some quilters will even dip their fabrics in the liquid for serious stiffness. Allow the starch to sit for a few minutes then press or hang the fabric to dry. Remember, as quilters we press, we don't iron -- meaning we don't push and pull across the fabric to iron as this distorts the weave.
Speaking of distorting the weave... Because many wovens feature stripes and plaids, you may want to be careful to cut along the grain of fabric, keeping lines straight. When we cut woven fabrics from the bolt at Corn Wagon, we always use scissors and follow the crossgrain, giving you the ability to work with straight lines, if you so choose. Sometimes wovens need a bit of straightening as they tend to "telescope" when loaded on and off the bolt. This can be accomplished through your starching and pressing process. Do your woven lines need to be straight in your quilt piecing? Well, that's a personal preference. How fun are the plaid hexies above, made from French General's new Woven Ginghams!
When should wovens be used? I say anytime! Nothing lends the same look to a quilt as wovens do. The superior simplicity of Jenni Adrists' quilt above features just three fabrics, two of which are wovens. Elma Ruth is as classic as they come with petite red woven gingham and blue chambray against a crisp white background. Great for the patriotic season, timeless enough for all year round. Our kit includes the pattern by Penelope Handmade, as well as yardage for piecing the 56" x 64" quilt top and binding as shown for $99.99.
One of our favorite times to pop in a woven, is as a wool applique background. The visual texture complements the natural wool fibers beautifully. Marianne Michaels recently finished the Forget Me Not Table Runner by Primitive Gatherings, below, and the cotton homespun plaid used for the background is perfection. Bonus: It also reduces the overall cost of a wool project. This pretty kit finishes at 25" x 37" and is now available for $67.99.
Ready to give wovens a try? Browse the woven/homespun category in our online shop under the Fabric tab, or stroll through the shop where you'll find new wovens all around -- including those I've shared with you today!
UTAH SHOP HOP - APRIL 25 - MAY 3This is DJ Rock-y Racoon… at CWQC Springville, where it’s ALL Beatles ALL the time! While you're on the Magical Mystery Tour of shops along the Wasatch, be sure to visit Corn Wagon Quilt Co. where you’ll “love, love, love” a Fab Four-thousand square feet full of quilting goodness. Imagine a glorious selection of quilter’s cottons, hand-dyed wool, kits, notions and inspiration that absolutely sings to you! The friendly CW gals will “Help!” you every step of the way. Twist and Shout your way through the shop and see if you can guess which Beatles song each quilt represents. Don’t be afraid to take the Long and Winding Road south to Corn Wagon Quilt Co. where creativity and quilting friends Come Together.
NEW Flash Sale! Keep an eye on our newsletter and social media to be the first to know about our new Flash Sales! This weekend only, the Peppermint Bark Boxed Kit from Riley Blake Designs is only $103.59! That's 30% off the regular price of $147.99. This special is only available while supplies last through Sunday, March 23rd, so don't wait! Kits are available in-store and online.
Traditional cheddar and indigo create a timeless heirloom quilt reminiscent of generations past. Cheddar at Twilight is a gorgeous fabric collection from Riley Blake Designs that is showcased by the Peppermint Bark Quilt Boxed Kit. This kit includes the popular Peppermint Bark pattern by It's Sew Emma as well as yardage for piecing the 51.5" x 67" quilt top and binding as shown. Arrives in the sturdy, collectible project box shown below.
Upcoming Sales & Events
Time Out at the Wagon (Open Sew)
Every Monday, 10:00am to 6:00pm
Put yourself in Time Out at the Wagon in our School House located directly behind the quilt shop!
At times we all need time out from housework, phone calls, and everyday responsibilities.
Bring your current sewing project to “Time Out at the Wagon” and do just that.
Marsha is looking forward to being in Time Out and hopes lots of you will join her.
Magic Word Monday
This Monday's Magic Word is "WOVEN"
Enter the magic word as a coupon code online 03/24/25 to receive 20% off SITE-WIDE!
Local customers can repeat the Magic Word at the register on Magic Word Monday
and show that you follow us on social media for 20% off one regular price item of your choice!
Handwork Club
Every Tuesday, 10:00am - Noon
This delightful weekly club is for anyone who would like to work on a hand stitching project
while learning new hand stitching skills. It's a great chance to finish our own projects
and relax with a fun gathering of sewing friends. No fee to attend. Simply come and join us!
Happy Hour!
Every Tuesday & Thursday, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
What's the best way to end a hectic day?
How 'bout a refreshing little fabric sale!
Step up to the cutting counter for happy hour at The Wagon
every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 till 6:00 and
enjoy a tasty 15% off your regular price items!
Wrong Price Wednesday!
Every Wednesday our pre-cut fat quarters are only $3.00! Regular Price $3.75.
Stuff-a-Bag Sale
Saturday, March 29th
Bring in your reusable, cotton Corn Wagon bag
and receive 20% off any regular price items you can stuff inside.
Don't have a bag yet? No worries!
You can purchase one for $8 and reuse it every 5th Saturday for the same great sale!
Thank you for supporting your local brick-and-mortar quilt shop!
We feel honored to be part of such a wonderful quilt-making community.
We hope you'll visit us again soon,
Jen and the Girls
at Corn Wagon Quilt Co.
We would love to hear from you!
801-491-3551
cornwagonquilts.com