Thanks! So all is not lost if I fall for a more expensive or discontinued fabric... I might be able to still find it under another name.

As I understand it, fabric manufacturers have different qualities of base fabric. Same prints, same designers, but different quality bases for different price points. Expect to pay more for higher quality weave, threads, etc.

My experience is with quilting and garment fabrics, but I don't think the rules change for home decor fabric. You can tell the difference in quality by how the material looks and feels. The good stuff has a nicer hand, and a tighter weave so that when held up to light, less light comes through the fibers. Color ranges/spectrums (dots representing the different hues used for the print), found on the unprinted edge of the fabric on the bolt, are also longer in higher quality fabric.

The seller of the fabric is an important gauge in determining quality... Bargain bin places that charge $5/yard will not generally have the quality that a source selling $50/yard fabric will have.

If I am mistaken, someone out there PLEASE correct me! lol

I wonder if they are different quality if the fabric content is the same?

There is a $5.99 store nearby, but their fabrics seem to be slightly imperfect. I used some fabric where the circles on the selvage showed that it was printed off register, but I couldn't tell from looking at the fabric pattern itself.

I don't think the less expensive brands like Richloom and Mill Creek are cheaper-feeling fabrics. I think the two examples in my original post are truly identical, even by weave.

There are a few cheaper brands that I don't like the feel of, though! Every sample I've gotten from those brands feel terrible to me and I've been avoiding using those fabrics.

I'm starting to think about re-upholstering some things in my house. I've never done it before, but it looks like something I'd really enjoy.

I wonder if they are different quality if the fabric content is the same?

Yes, the quality can be different, even if the content (cotton, silk, wool, poly, flax, blend, etc.) is the same. If you really want to go down a rabbit hole, lol, google "greige goods fabric quality" and you'll discover a lot.

A note on brands... Wal-mart can sell a certain fabric, and a quilt store can sell the exact brand, exact print, exact designer, but the quality (and price) is obviously different. It's the difference in the run of greige goods used. The company sells the lower quality to discount retailers, and the higher quality to boutique stores.

If you don't intend to make an heirloom that lasts several generations, or if you plan to reupholster regularly, then I think you'll be fine with carefully-selected bargain fabrics. :-)

Hi did you find out if they are indeed the same or different quality? I am looking to buy fabrics and are wondering the same thing!