Did you wash the sizing out of it? If you don't they do not soak lube well. If it is 100% cotton stripe pillow ticking it is probably between .015-.018 thick. I still have about four yard I bought from Wal Mart when they had it on sale. So I have not purchased it in a while.

What kind of lube are you using? Are you using too much lube? All of this can make a big difference as well.