Frequently Asked Questions
Location and Hours
Q: Where is Flat Creek Fabric located?
A: Flat Creek Fabric is located in Western North Carolina. It operates entirely as an online store and currently does not have a location where customers can visit in person.
Q: Do you have an option for order pickup so local customers can save on postage?
A: Unfortunately, we aren't able to provide order pickups at this time. We apologize for this inconvenience.
Q: When is Flat Creek Fabric open?
A: Flat Creek Fabric is available 24/7 via its website. However, regular business days for processing and fulfilling orders are Monday - Friday. Order processing normally closes at 5 p.m. each regular business day. Orders submitted after 5 p.m., will be part of the next business day’s orders.
Q: Can I shop at Flat Creek Fabric on holidays?
A: Absolutely! The website is available to customers 24/7. Orders placed on holidays will be processed on the next regular business day.
Fabric Storage
Q: How is your fabric stored prior to being cut for my order?
A: All fabric is stored in a dedicated bookcase or in a sealable plastic container to keep it clean and in the best condition possible. Exposure to direct sunlight is limited to prevent fading.
All fabric on a bolt remains on the bolt until it is cut to fill a customer’s order or to make specific size bundles for sale. Fabric segments that are too small stay on the bolt or that were not on a bolt when added to inventory are folded neatly and stored as indicated above. Precuts that come wrapped in plastic will remain in that plastic wrap, but they will still be stored according to the guidelines above.
Q: I have allergies. Can you guarantee that your fabric has not been exposed to the allergens I'm sensitive to?
A: No. Fabric sold by Flat Creek Fabric may have been exposed to or have traces of a variety of potential allergens. We cannot confirm or deny potential allergens that may have come into contact with fabric prior to it being added to our inventory.
Please note that Flat Creek Fabric is in a private residence that is dog-friendly, tree nut-friendly, peanut-friendly, egg-friendly, dairy-friendly, and gluten-friendly. Every effort is made to keep fabric free from exposure to these potential allergens once it has been added to our inventory, but this cannot be guaranteed.
We make every effort to keep fabric clean and in good condition.
Ordering the Right Amount of Fabric
Q: I need more than a half yard of fabric. Will it arrive in multiple half yard pieces or as one continuous piece of fabric?
A: One continuous cut. While our fabric is priced and sold by the half yard (18" x width of fabric), each order is cut directly off the bolt in one continuous piece measuring the total size ordered.
For example, if you need 2.50 yards of a fabric, select "5" from the quantity selector to order five half yards. When we receive your order, we'll cut one continuous piece of fabric measuring the total of 2.50 yards (90" x width of fabric).
If we don't have enough fabric to fulfill your order in one continuous cut, we will contact you prior to cutting and fulfilling your order to see if multiple, smaller cuts are acceptable or if you want to cancel your order.
Q: I'm still confused about how to order my fabric by the half yard. Can you help me determine the right amount to select so I get what I need.
A: Yes. Please use the chart below as a reference.
| If You Need... | Select this Quantity |
| 0.50 Yard (18" x Width of Fabric) | 1 |
| 1.00 Yard (36" x Width of Fabric) | 2 |
| 1.50 Yards (54" x Width of Fabric) | 3 |
| 2.00 Yards (72" x With of Fabric | 4 |
| 2.50 Yards (90" x Width of Fabric) | 5 |
| 3.00 Yards (108" x Width of Fabric) | 6 |
| 3.50 Yards (126" x Width of Fabric) | 7 |
| 4.00 Yards (144 x Width of Fabric) | 8 |
| 4.50 Yards (162" x Width of Fabric) | 9 |
| 5.00 Yards (180" x Width of Fabric) | 10 |
| 5.50 Yards (198" x Width of Fabric) | 11 |
| 6.00 Yards (216" x Width of Fabric) | 12 |
| 6.50 Yards (234" x Width of Fabric) | 13 |
| 7.00 Yards (252" x Width of Fabric) | 14 |
| 7.50 Yards (270" x Width of Fabric) | 15 |
| 8.00 Yards (288" x Width of Fabric) | 16 |
| 8.50 Yards (306" x Width of Fabric) | 17 |
| 9.00 Yards (324" x Width of Fabric) | 18 |
| 9.50 Yards (342" x Width of Fabric) | 19 |
| 10 Yards (360" x Width of Fabric) | 20 |
If you still need help, please contact us.
Q: Why can't I get the quantity selector to move past 1 (or another number)?
A: The quantity selector is linked to our current inventory. It will stop at the maximum amount available. If you want to double check to make sure it's not an error, please feel free to contact us.
Q: Can you help me determine how much fabric I need for my specific project?
A: Unfortunately, no. Even though many projects have similar fabric requirements, there are too many variables (i.e., your seam allowance, the direction of the fabric print, changing the size of a pattern to make it larger/smaller, etc.) to consider when determining the amount of fabric you will need. We can offer the following advice:
- Refer to the fabric pattern. Often patterns will tell you exactly how much fabric you need to complete the project. Some patterns provide the amount needed for finished projects of multiple sizes.
- Use an online quilting calculator to help you determine the amount needed.
Q: The pattern I'm using says I need 1/4 yard of fabric. How do I choose that in the quantity selector?
A: Unfortunately, only half-yard increments are available at this time. However, you can check our Bits and Pieces section in case we have remnants or end-of-bolt pieces that are less than one half yard.
Q: I purchased a fat quarter bundle and need one more fat quarter for my project. Can I order a fat quarter instead of the full half yard?
A: Unfortunately, this is not possible at this time. However, you can check our Bits and Pieces section in case we have any remnants or end-of-bolt pieces that have been cut into fat quarters.
Q: I'm ordering a fabric with a design that I want to be perfectly straight. Can you guarantee that the cut of fabric I receive will follow the design perfectly?
A: No. While fabric is cut directly off the bolt, we do not unwind bolts to try to realign selvage edges or match up repeating patterns/designs within the fabric. We are not responsible for bolts that arrive to us unevenly wound or for fabric designs that are not printed exactly straight. Customers ordering a fabric with a design or pattern that they want to line up perfectly should order extra fabric to allow for possible imperfections.
Q: What does Width of Fabric (WOF) mean?
A: Width of Fabric (WOF) is the measurement from selvage edge to selvage edge of the fabric. Most of the fabrics offered on our website are 42-44" wide. Therefore, when you order one half yard of fabric, it will be 18" x 42-44".
Order Processing, Payments, and Shipping
Q: How soon will my order be shipped?
A: Orders are processed in the order they are received. Our goal is to process and ship within one regular business day. Regular business days are Monday-Friday. Orders received after 5 p.m. (Eastern Time) are considered part of the next regular business day's orders.
For example, if you place your order at 7 p.m. on Friday, your order will be considered a Monday order. Our goal will be to ship your order by Tuesday.
Q: Will I be charged sales tax on my order?
A: Sales tax is charged for the states of North Carolina, Kansas, and other states as required by law. If you are not charged sales tax on your order, it is your responsibility to see if you owe use tax to your state.
Q: Do you ship internationally?
A: No. We currently only ship orders within the USA.
Q: My order qualifies for free shipping. How do I let you know which shipping service I want?
A: Flat Creek Fabric will choose the shipping method it prefers when customers select Standard Domestic Flat Rate (for orders less than $35) and Free Standard Domestic Shipping (for orders of $35 or more). These orders are generally shipped via USPS First Class, USPS Priority Mail, or UPS Ground. If you want to choose a specific shipping service or provider, you will need to select from the options available at checkout and pay the corresponding fee.
Q: Can I request expedited shipping for my order?
A: Yes. You may choose and pay for the expedited shipping service you want at checkout. However, please note that orders are still fulfilled within the timelines mentioned above no matter what shipping method is chosen. For example, regardless of the shipping method chosen, all orders placed after 5 p.m. (Eastern Time) on a Friday, will be considered Monday orders with a goal of being fulfilled and shipped by Tuesday.
Order Problems
Q: My order never arrived. What can I do?
A: Tracking numbers are provided for all orders. Customers will receive shipping and delivery confirmation emails. If you receive a delivery confirmation email and your package has not arrived, please notify us immediately.
If a package's tracking number is never marked as delivered, the customer’s order will be filled and shipped again after an appropriate amount of time has passed. If we cannot fulfill the order again based on current store inventory, the customer’s order will be canceled and refunded.
If the "lost" package eventually arrives, the customer should contact us to let us know it arrived. Flat Creek Fabric will contact the customer if they receive word that the "lost" package was delivered. The customer will be able to choose to pay for and keep the items in the initial package or return the complete order to Flat Creek Fabric (a pre-paid return shipping label will be provided).
Q: I changed my mind and no longer want what I ordered. Can I return it for a refund?
A: All sales are final. Returns, exchanges, and cancellations are not accepted. If an error or mistake has been made by Flat Creek Fabric, please contact us and appropriate corrections will be made.
Q: I ordered two half yards and only received one, or I received the right amount, but the wrong fabric.
A: Please contact us so we can figure out what went wrong and make any necessary corrections.
Requests for Donations
Q: Would your business be willing to support our non-profit by donating a portion of your sales on a specific day?
A: Flat Creek Fabric has chosen several charities to support. The charities chosen and the amount of each donation is up to the owner's discretion and can be changed at any time.
Requests for Flat Creek Fabric to support other non-profits, sponsor special events, participate in special fundraising emphases, and make any other type of donation will be respectfully declined.