QT Fabrics: What The Brand Is Known For

If you’ve spent time browsing quilting fabric, you’ve probably come across QT Fabrics, even if you didn’t realize it. The brand’s prints show up in quilt shops, online stores, and fabric stashes across the country, often in the form of cheerful novelty prints, seasonal designs, and printed panels. But many quilters aren’t sure exactly who the company is or what it’s known for.

This guide gives a general introduction to QT Fabrics, describes the kinds of collections the brand tends to offer, and explains who often reaches for it. We’ll also share brand-neutral advice for evaluating any fabric line, mixing fabrics from different brands, and finding current collections from official sources. And we’ll address something many shoppers find confusing: why some prints from the company carry an older name. At Bee’s Quilt Shop, quilters often asked about fabric brands, and our answer was always to understand a brand’s strengths and then judge each fabric on its own merits.

A Brief Introduction To QT Fabrics

QT Fabrics is an American fabric company that produces cotton fabric for quilting and sewing. Based on industry and retailer descriptions, the company traces its roots to Cranston Print Works, a textile printer with a history going back to the early 1800s, which makes it one of the longest-running names connected to American textile printing. Over the years, the quilting line became widely known as Quilting Treasures before being presented under the shorter QT Fabrics name.

Retailers commonly describe QT Fabrics as offering 100% cotton quilting fabric, with designs created by in-house designers and licensed artists. Like many fabric companies, it sells primarily through quilt shops and fabric retailers rather than directly to consumers. Details about the company’s current structure and history are best confirmed on its official website, since corporate information can change over time. What’s clear from the fabric itself is a long focus on printed quilting cotton designed for hobby quilters and sewists. That long history is part of why so many quilters have at least a few of the company’s prints tucked into their stash, sometimes without knowing the name behind them.

The Kind Of Collections QT Fabrics Offers

The kinds of collections QT Fabrics offers tend to lean toward printed cotton with clear themes. Novelty prints are a big part of its reputation, featuring subjects like animals, hobbies, food, vehicles, and other fun motifs. Seasonal and holiday collections are also common, with designs for Christmas, Halloween, autumn, spring, and patriotic themes.

Nature and wildlife prints appear often too, and the brand has been associated with designers known for realistic animal and outdoor imagery. Printed panels are another strength, with many collections including a large panel alongside coordinating yardage, which makes it easy to build a quilt around a central image. Many collections also include blenders and coordinating prints to round out a project. Some designs are digitally printed, which retailers often describe as producing vivid color. Because collections change frequently, the exact themes available at any time vary, so browsing current offerings gives the best picture of what’s available now.

Who Tends To Reach For This Brand

QT Fabrics often appeals to quilters who love themed and novelty projects. If you’re making a quilt for a child who loves dinosaurs, a hunter who loves the outdoors, or a family member who celebrates a particular holiday, a themed collection can make the project come together quickly. Panels and coordinating prints are especially helpful for quilters who want a cohesive look without pulling fabric from many sources.

Quilters who make gift quilts, charity quilts, and seasonal décor often reach for brands like this one, since the prints are easy to recognize and fun to work with. Beginners may also appreciate panel-based projects, since much of the design work is already done. More experienced quilters might use the brand’s novelty prints as accent fabrics in scrappy quilts or as focus fabrics in a block design. Like any brand, it isn’t the right choice for every project, and personal preference plays a big role. Many quilters mix brands freely depending on what each project needs, and that flexibility is part of what makes quilting fun. A themed print can be the spark that starts a quilt, even if most of the fabric comes from elsewhere.

How To Evaluate Any Fabric Line Before You Buy

No matter which brand you’re considering, a few simple checks help you judge fabric quality. Start with the hand, which is how the fabric feels. Good quilting cotton usually feels smooth, soft, and substantial, without being stiff or papery. Some fabrics have finishes that make them feel crisp on the bolt but soften after washing.

Next, look at the weight and weave. Hold the fabric up to the light. A tight, even weave without obvious gaps is a good sign. Fabric that looks very sheer may wear faster or let batting fibers beard through. Check the print quality too. Look for crisp lines, even color, and prints that are aligned with the grain rather than noticeably skewed. Look at the back of the fabric, since color showing through well can indicate good dye penetration. Finally, consider how the fabric will be used. A novelty print for a wall hanging has different needs than fabric for a bed quilt that will be washed weekly. These checks apply to every brand, including QT Fabrics.

Mixing Fabric From Different Brands In One Project

Many quilters mix fabrics from different brands in a single quilt, and it’s usually fine as long as the fabrics are similar in weight and fiber. Mixing 100% cotton quilting fabrics from different manufacturers is very common and often makes a quilt more interesting.

There are a few things to check. Compare the weight and hand side by side, since a noticeably thinner or heavier fabric can behave differently when pieced and washed. Consider prewashing if you’re mixing fabrics with different finishes, since they may shrink at different rates. Check for color bleeding on saturated colors, especially reds and dark blues. Pay attention to color tones too, since a white from one brand might look slightly blue or cream next to another brand’s white. Laying fabrics out together in natural light helps you see whether they work as a group. Our guide to 100% cotton fabric for quilting explains why matching fiber content helps a quilt wear evenly.

Why QT Fabrics Prints Sometimes Carry An Older Name

Here’s something that confuses many shoppers: why do some QT Fabrics prints say Quilting Treasures? The answer is that the company’s quilting fabric was long marketed under the Quilting Treasures name, and that name still appears on older bolts, selvages, and in retailer listings. Many quilters also still search for the fabric using the older name.

If you’re trying to match a fabric from an older collection, look at the selvage, which usually shows the company name, collection name, and design number. That information is the best way to search for a specific print, whether it’s labeled Quilting Treasures or QT Fabrics. Retailers sometimes use both names, or describe the brand as formerly known as Quilting Treasures. Our separate guide to Quilting Treasures covers the brand from that angle. Understanding the name history makes it easier to find fabric and recognize that both names refer to the same family of prints.

Finding Current Collections From Official Sources

Fabric collections change frequently. New lines are released regularly, and older ones sell out and aren’t always reprinted. That means a print you loved a few years ago may no longer be available, and a list of collections in any article will eventually go out of date.

For the most current information, the manufacturer’s official website is the best place to look. Fabric companies typically show their current and upcoming collections there, often with downloadable lookbooks or free project ideas. Authorized retailers, including quilt shops and established online fabric stores, are also good sources, since they stock current collections and can sometimes help track down older prints. Selvage information, including collection names and design numbers, is very helpful when searching. If you’re hoping to find a specific discontinued print, quilting groups and fabric swaps can sometimes help, though availability is never guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is QT Fabrics the same as Quilting Treasures?

Yes, QT Fabrics is the name the company’s quilting line now uses, and it was long known as Quilting Treasures. Many retailers still mention both names.

Is QT Fabrics good quality?

Many quilters use QT Fabrics regularly, and retailers describe its quilting fabric as 100% cotton. As with any brand, it’s worth checking the hand, weave, and print quality of each fabric you buy.

What kind of fabric does QT Fabrics make?

The brand is known for printed quilting cotton, especially novelty, holiday, nature, and panel designs. Many collections also include blenders and coordinating prints.

Where can I find current QT Fabrics collections?

The company’s official website and authorized fabric retailers are the best sources for current collections. Collections change often, so older prints may not be available.

Can I mix QT Fabrics with other brands in a quilt?

Yes, mixing 100% cotton quilting fabrics from different brands is very common. Bee’s Quilt Shop always suggested comparing weight and hand side by side and testing saturated colors for bleeding.