Batting Question?
 

I am finally making good progress on my very first quilt top! I am using a
9 patch pattern from an Alex Anderson beginner quilting book. The piecing
is going well; I'm learning a lot and loving it!!! In fact I find I have to
stay away from my sewing room unless I know I have the time to sew because
it seems to magnetically pull me in and keep me for hours at a time!

This pattern is for a 30x30 wall hanging but I am making it for a large doll
quilt/lap quilt for my DGD. As I get closer to finishing the piecing I know
I need to think about the batting I will use for this quilt. I've read so
many conflicting opinions on cotton versus poly or cotton and poly blends.
I'm sure this question has come up many time before but I am still fairly
new here and could really use some opinions.

Since this is a doll quilt for a child it will get somewhat rough usage and
will need to be washed occasionally. I read on the bag that cotton batting
will shrink - is this a big problem? I also read that if you use cotton
batting you have to quilt fairly close together and since I'm totally new at
this and don't have much faith in my quilting abilities this concerns me.
Does one batting hold up better than another? I will be machine quilting so
is one better than the other for that?

This small quilt is my first "training quilt". I got mentally hooked on
quilting several months ago and have been soaking up whatever information I
could on the subject. Some of the best information I've received has been
right here with all of you!

I would greatly appreciate any hints or help regarding batting! Thank you
all so much!

Bonnie



--

delete "removespam" to reply

"muse9" wrote in message
...
I am finally making good progress on my very first quilt top! I am using
a
9 patch pattern from an Alex Anderson beginner quilting book. The piecing
is going well; I'm learning a lot and loving it!!! In fact I find I have
to
stay away from my sewing room unless I know I have the time to sew because
it seems to magnetically pull me in and keep me for hours at a time!

This pattern is for a 30x30 wall hanging but I am making it for a large
doll
quilt/lap quilt for my DGD. As I get closer to finishing the piecing I
know
I need to think about the batting I will use for this quilt. I've read so
many conflicting opinions on cotton versus poly or cotton and poly blends.
I'm sure this question has come up many time before but I am still fairly
new here and could really use some opinions.

Since this is a doll quilt for a child it will get somewhat rough usage
and
will need to be washed occasionally. I read on the bag that cotton
batting
will shrink - is this a big problem? I also read that if you use cotton
batting you have to quilt fairly close together and since I'm totally new
at
this and don't have much faith in my quilting abilities this concerns me.
Does one batting hold up better than another? I will be machine quilting
so
is one better than the other for that?

This small quilt is my first "training quilt". I got mentally hooked on
quilting several months ago and have been soaking up whatever information
I
could on the subject. Some of the best information I've received has been
right here with all of you!

I would greatly appreciate any hints or help regarding batting! Thank you
all so much!

Bonnie



I am no expert by any means - but...I think the most important thing to
think about is how you are going to quilt it (hand or machine) The way I
understand it - by hand you shouldn't use cotton (or most cottons) it is too
hard to get through.

Also - the amount of quilting needed depends on the brand. The brand will
tell you on the bag (or roll) how close together to quilt safely.

Your question about cotton shrinking - I believe your desired look
determines if this is a problem or not. Some cotton batts can be (should
be?) pre-washed.

I myself - when machine quilting- prefer warm and white (or natural). It is
cotton. I love the way it feels to touch. I do not pre-wash. I like the
crinkly old look that it gives (shhh-I also do not pre-wash my fabric unless
it is a batik or something dark like red or black)

Just my 2 cents....as I have said I am not an expert by any means - but many
here are :)

Roberta (in MD)

No offence but - corkscrews! Cotton batting is just as easy to get through
as the pretend polyester! LOL. Geeze are you guys trying to get me mad
before I really wake up?! LOL

--
Sharon From Melbourne Australia (Queen of Down Under)
http://www.geocities.com/shazrules/craft.html

"Roberta" wrote in message
...

"muse9" wrote in message
...
I am finally making good progress on my very first quilt top! I am
using
a
9 patch pattern from an Alex Anderson beginner quilting book. The
piecing
is going well; I'm learning a lot and loving it!!! In fact I find I
have
to
stay away from my sewing room unless I know I have the time to sew
because
it seems to magnetically pull me in and keep me for hours at a time!

This pattern is for a 30x30 wall hanging but I am making it for a large
doll
quilt/lap quilt for my DGD. As I get closer to finishing the piecing I
know
I need to think about the batting I will use for this quilt. I've read
so
many conflicting opinions on cotton versus poly or cotton and poly
blends.
I'm sure this question has come up many time before but I am still
fairly
new here and could really use some opinions.

Since this is a doll quilt for a child it will get somewhat rough usage
and
will need to be washed occasionally. I read on the bag that cotton
batting
will shrink - is this a big problem? I also read that if you use cotton
batting you have to quilt fairly close together and since I'm totally
new
at
this and don't have much faith in my quilting abilities this concerns
me.
Does one batting hold up better than another? I will be machine
quilting
so
is one better than the other for that?

This small quilt is my first "training quilt". I got mentally hooked on
quilting several months ago and have been soaking up whatever
information
I
could on the subject. Some of the best information I've received has
been
right here with all of you!

I would greatly appreciate any hints or help regarding batting! Thank
you
all so much!

Bonnie



I am no expert by any means - but...I think the most important thing to
think about is how you are going to quilt it (hand or machine) The way I
understand it - by hand you shouldn't use cotton (or most cottons) it is
too
hard to get through.

Also - the amount of quilting needed depends on the brand. The brand
will
tell you on the bag (or roll) how close together to quilt safely.

Your question about cotton shrinking - I believe your desired look
determines if this is a problem or not. Some cotton batts can be (should
be?) pre-washed.

I myself - when machine quilting- prefer warm and white (or natural). It
is
cotton. I love the way it feels to touch. I do not pre-wash. I like the
crinkly old look that it gives (shhh-I also do not pre-wash my fabric
unless
it is a batik or something dark like red or black)

Just my 2 cents....as I have said I am not an expert by any means - but
many
here are :)

Roberta (in MD)

In article ,
"muse9" wrote:

I am finally making good progress on my very first quilt top! I am using a
9 patch pattern from an Alex Anderson beginner quilting book. The piecing
is going well; I'm learning a lot and loving it!!! In fact I find I have to
stay away from my sewing room unless I know I have the time to sew because
it seems to magnetically pull me in and keep me for hours at a time!

Congratulations on your new addiction, Bonnie! ;) We'll be your support
group -- encouraging you to give in to temptation whenever you like. G


This pattern is for a 30x30 wall hanging but I am making it for a large doll
quilt/lap quilt for my DGD. As I get closer to finishing the piecing I know
I need to think about the batting I will use for this quilt. I've read so
many conflicting opinions on cotton versus poly or cotton and poly blends.
I'm sure this question has come up many time before but I am still fairly
new here and could really use some opinions.

Since this is a doll quilt for a child it will get somewhat rough usage and
will need to be washed occasionally. I read on the bag that cotton batting
will shrink - is this a big problem? I also read that if you use cotton
batting you have to quilt fairly close together and since I'm totally new at
this and don't have much faith in my quilting abilities this concerns me.
Does one batting hold up better than another? I will be machine quilting so
is one better than the other for that?

I think you're smart to begin with a smaller quilt before jumping in on
a larger one. :) As for batting, my favorite is Hobbs 80/20. It's mostly
cotton (80%), with just enough poly (20%) thrown in to make it more
stable and a bit easier for hand quilting when I want to do that.

For machine quilting, an all-poly batt isn't as nice, simply because it
tends to slither, rather than "grabbing" the fabric of the top and
backing, as cotton does. Cotton does shrink, but many people prefer the
look this gives to the finished quilt. If you don't want that look,
simply follow the package directions to pre-wash the batting --
pre-soaking might be a more accurate term. ;) That's what I do, since I
prefer the less "puckery" look, but I think I'm in the minority.

In thinking about how the batts will hold up, consider how many antique
quilts are still with us. g Most of those used natural fibers, such as
cotton, in the batting, and they're doing fine. Cotton batting tends to
become softer and more cuddly over time and with more and more
laundering; that doesn't mean that they're deteriorating, though!


This small quilt is my first "training quilt". I got mentally hooked on
quilting several months ago and have been soaking up whatever information I
could on the subject. Some of the best information I've received has been
right here with all of you!

I would greatly appreciate any hints or help regarding batting! Thank you
all so much!

Bonnie

Best of luck with the quilt, Bonnie, and be sure to show us pics when
it's finished. :)

--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
my ISP is earthlink.net -- put sfoster1(at) in front
http://home.earthlink.net/~sfoster1

I know everything. How I know everything is because I have made all of the
mistakes, some of them several times. Do Not even think about a polyester
batt. Even worse, don't think that a high loft polyester batt is lovely.
Just no telling how many quilters have fallen by the wayside attempting to
machine quilt with those.
The 80% cotton 20% polyester is a batt that is just fine for beginners.
Since I am the senior permanent member of the beginner category, I can
confidently recommend it. Hobbs Premium is a good one.
One day, I'm going to try a silk batt and perhaps a wool one. Just for
the fun of it.
The instructions for washing a batting before use if you are concerned
about shrinkage are on the batt bag. Believe them when they say Do Not let
the machine agitate. They aren't kidding. Did I mention that I have made all
of the mistakes?
Welcome to the addicted. We understand. Polly

hobbs wool... It is my favorite.

Christina

muse9 wrote:
I am finally making good progress on my very first quilt top! I am using a
9 patch pattern from an Alex Anderson beginner quilting book. The piecing
is going well; I'm learning a lot and loving it!!! In fact I find I have to
stay away from my sewing room unless I know I have the time to sew because
it seems to magnetically pull me in and keep me for hours at a time!

This pattern is for a 30x30 wall hanging but I am making it for a large doll
quilt/lap quilt for my DGD. As I get closer to finishing the piecing I know
I need to think about the batting I will use for this quilt. I've read so
many conflicting opinions on cotton versus poly or cotton and poly blends.
I'm sure this question has come up many time before but I am still fairly
new here and could really use some opinions.

Since this is a doll quilt for a child it will get somewhat rough usage and
will need to be washed occasionally. I read on the bag that cotton batting
will shrink - is this a big problem? I also read that if you use cotton
batting you have to quilt fairly close together and since I'm totally new at
this and don't have much faith in my quilting abilities this concerns me.
Does one batting hold up better than another? I will be machine quilting so
is one better than the other for that?

This small quilt is my first "training quilt". I got mentally hooked on
quilting several months ago and have been soaking up whatever information I
could on the subject. Some of the best information I've received has been
right here with all of you!

I would greatly appreciate any hints or help regarding batting! Thank you
all so much!

Bonnie

This first small quilt will be quilted by machine. I will probably just use
a diagonal grid pattern since the quilt is a nine patch. Thanks for your
suggestions Roberta - I learn so much by reading how others do these things!

Bonnie


Roberta wrote:

I am no expert by any means - but...I think the most important thing to
think about is how you are going to quilt it (hand or machine) The way I
understand it - by hand you shouldn't use cotton (or most cottons) it is
too
hard to get through.

Also - the amount of quilting needed depends on the brand. The brand
will
tell you on the bag (or roll) how close together to quilt safely.

Your question about cotton shrinking - I believe your desired look
determines if this is a problem or not. Some cotton batts can be (should
be?) pre-washed.

I myself - when machine quilting- prefer warm and white (or natural). It
is
cotton. I love the way it feels to touch. I do not pre-wash. I like the
crinkly old look that it gives (shhh-I also do not pre-wash my fabric
unless
it is a batik or something dark like red or black)

Just my 2 cents....as I have said I am not an expert by any means - but
many
here are :)

Roberta (in MD)

Oops! Don't want to get anyone mad! ; ) I do get a very strong impression
that most experienced quilters use the cotton batting!

Thanks for your help and comments Sharon! I do appreciate hearing how
others quilt - this is how I am learning.

Bonnie



Sharon Harper wrote:

No offence but - corkscrews! Cotton batting is just as easy to get
through
as the pretend polyester! LOL. Geeze are you guys trying to get me mad
before I really wake up?! LOL

--
Sharon From Melbourne Australia (Queen of Down Under)

Sandy Foster wrote:

Congratulations on your new addiction, Bonnie! ;) We'll be your support
group -- encouraging you to give in to temptation whenever you like. G

Thanks! It is always good to get positive encouragement!

I think you're smart to begin with a smaller quilt before jumping in on
a larger one. :) As for batting, my favorite is Hobbs 80/20. It's mostly
cotton (80%), with just enough poly (20%) thrown in to make it more
stable and a bit easier for hand quilting when I want to do that.

I figured I had better start small. But, the next project I have planned is
not one, but two I Spy quilts. I can't make one for one of my grandkids
without making one for the other now can I?!

I had wondered about the 80/20 batting. Thanks for your input on it. If
you use that are you as likely to need to pre-shrink it?

For machine quilting, an all-poly batt isn't as nice, simply because it
tends to slither, rather than "grabbing" the fabric of the top and
backing, as cotton does. Cotton does shrink, but many people prefer the
look this gives to the finished quilt. If you don't want that look,
simply follow the package directions to pre-wash the batting --
pre-soaking might be a more accurate term. ;) That's what I do, since I
prefer the less "puckery" look, but I think I'm in the minority.

Here's another question then - if your pre-soak the batting then how do you
dry it? I assume you do NOT want to spin it in the washer. I warned you
all that I am new at quilting, and full of questions!

In thinking about how the batts will hold up, consider how many antique
quilts are still with us. g Most of those used natural fibers, such as
cotton, in the batting, and they're doing fine. Cotton batting tends to
become softer and more cuddly over time and with more and more
laundering; that doesn't mean that they're deteriorating, though!

That makes sense, I had not thought about all the antique quilts.

Best of luck with the quilt, Bonnie, and be sure to show us pics when
it's finished. :)

Thank you Sandy for all your help. I will put a picture of it up when I get
done.

Bonnie

--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
my ISP is earthlink.net -- put sfoster1(at) in front
http://home.earthlink.net/~sfoster1

Polly Esther wrote:

Hello Polly! How I look forward to your responses!

I know everything. How I know everything is because I have made all of the
mistakes, some of them several times. Do Not even think about a polyester
batt. Even worse, don't think that a high loft polyester batt is lovely.
Just no telling how many quilters have fallen by the wayside attempting to
machine quilt with those.

Well, I've always believed that the best way to learn is by our mistakes!
So I have another strong vote in favor of the all cotton batting. This is
good to hear!

The 80% cotton 20% polyester is a batt that is just fine for
beginners.
Since I am the senior permanent member of the beginner category, I can
confidently recommend it. Hobbs Premium is a good one.

Oh, I'm glad you think that is OK - I may start with that one, at least for
this doll quilt. It seems like most people I talk with recommend Hobbs as a
good brand. That is important for me to learn as well.

One day, I'm going to try a silk batt and perhaps a wool one. Just for
the fun of it.

I didn't know you could get a silk batting! That sounds almost decadent!

The instructions for washing a batting before use if you are concerned
about shrinkage are on the batt bag. Believe them when they say Do Not let
the machine agitate. They aren't kidding. Did I mention that I have made
all
of the mistakes?

Ohh, I can imagine the mess you must get if you agitate batting! I did not
even think it was possible to wash it but I guess if you are very careful.
How do you dry your batting if you wash it?

Welcome to the addicted. We understand. Polly

It is so good to get that understanding! I truly feel addicted already!
And all the help I find here is wonderful!

Thanks again,
Bonnie

Thanks Christina for your help. I don't think I will use wool for this doll
quilt but I will definitely consider it for another one later. If you use
wool batting then is the quilt still washable? (sorry if this is a dumb
question, but I am still learning)

Bonnie


NoMoreSpam wrote:

hobbs wool... It is my favorite.

Christina

LOL - no worries Bonnie! I've just today finished hand quilting a baby
quilt using cotton batting and I really find it so easy to use.

--
Sharon From Melbourne Australia (Queen of Down Under)
http://www.geocities.com/shazrules/craft.html

"muse9" wrote in message
...
Oops! Don't want to get anyone mad! ; ) I do get a very strong
impression
that most experienced quilters use the cotton batting!

Thanks for your help and comments Sharon! I do appreciate hearing how
others quilt - this is how I am learning.

Bonnie



Sharon Harper wrote:

No offence but - corkscrews! Cotton batting is just as easy to get
through
as the pretend polyester! LOL. Geeze are you guys trying to get me mad
before I really wake up?! LOL

--
Sharon From Melbourne Australia (Queen of Down Under)

Figures. You swoop in for one tiny post, and it's about Hobbs wool! G

Bonnie, Christina spoke so highly of Hobbs wool that I had to try it myself.
I've made 2 quilts with it so far, and will do more. It is washable, but
perhaps not the best choice for a drag-around doll quilt! I've used the
cotton Warm & Natural batting for quiilts for my kids. There was almost no
shrinkage when washed. I made 3 I Spy quilts almost 4 years ago, and they
get washed frequently. The batting is as nice as when they were new.

--
Wendy
http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm
de-fang email address to reply


"NoMoreSpam" wrote in message
...
hobbs wool... It is my favorite.

Christina

muse9 wrote:
I am finally making good progress on my very first quilt top! I am
using a
9 patch pattern from an Alex Anderson beginner quilting book. The
piecing
is going well; I'm learning a lot and loving it!!! In fact I find I
have to
stay away from my sewing room unless I know I have the time to sew
because
it seems to magnetically pull me in and keep me for hours at a time!

This pattern is for a 30x30 wall hanging but I am making it for a large
doll
quilt/lap quilt for my DGD. As I get closer to finishing the piecing I
know
I need to think about the batting I will use for this quilt. I've read
so
many conflicting opinions on cotton versus poly or cotton and poly
blends.
I'm sure this question has come up many time before but I am still
fairly
new here and could really use some opinions.

Since this is a doll quilt for a child it will get somewhat rough usage
and
will need to be washed occasionally. I read on the bag that cotton
batting
will shrink - is this a big problem? I also read that if you use cotton
batting you have to quilt fairly close together and since I'm totally
new at
this and don't have much faith in my quilting abilities this concerns
me.
Does one batting hold up better than another? I will be machine
quilting so
is one better than the other for that?

This small quilt is my first "training quilt". I got mentally hooked on
quilting several months ago and have been soaking up whatever
information I
could on the subject. Some of the best information I've received has
been
right here with all of you!

I would greatly appreciate any hints or help regarding batting! Thank
you
all so much!

Bonnie

Bonnie,

Everyone gave such good advice. As for me it's a question of keeping the
quilt as natural as possible - 100% natural fibers. I use W&N for MQ. I
will admit that I'm so impressed with the outcome that I tend to stick with
it. Another brand that I've used and liked the result was dream cotton
(select for a summer quilt).

Good luck with your choice.

Carole
Champlain, NY




"muse9" wrote in message
...
I am finally making good progress on my very first quilt top! I am using
a
9 patch pattern from an Alex Anderson beginner quilting book. The piecing
is going well; I'm learning a lot and loving it!!! In fact I find I have
to
stay away from my sewing room unless I know I have the time to sew because
it seems to magnetically pull me in and keep me for hours at a time!

This pattern is for a 30x30 wall hanging but I am making it for a large
doll
quilt/lap quilt for my DGD. As I get closer to finishing the piecing I
know
I need to think about the batting I will use for this quilt. I've read so
many conflicting opinions on cotton versus poly or cotton and poly blends.
I'm sure this question has come up many time before but I am still fairly
new here and could really use some opinions.

Since this is a doll quilt for a child it will get somewhat rough usage
and
will need to be washed occasionally. I read on the bag that cotton
batting
will shrink - is this a big problem? I also read that if you use cotton
batting you have to quilt fairly close together and since I'm totally new
at
this and don't have much faith in my quilting abilities this concerns me.
Does one batting hold up better than another? I will be machine quilting
so
is one better than the other for that?

This small quilt is my first "training quilt". I got mentally hooked on
quilting several months ago and have been soaking up whatever information
I
could on the subject. Some of the best information I've received has been
right here with all of you!

I would greatly appreciate any hints or help regarding batting! Thank you
all so much!

Bonnie



--

delete "removespam" to reply

frood wrote:

Figures. You swoop in for one tiny post, and it's about Hobbs wool! G

Bonnie, Christina spoke so highly of Hobbs wool that I had to try it
myself.
I've made 2 quilts with it so far, and will do more. It is washable, but
perhaps not the best choice for a drag-around doll quilt! I've used the
cotton Warm & Natural batting for quiilts for my kids. There was almost no
shrinkage when washed. I made 3 I Spy quilts almost 4 years ago, and they
get washed frequently. The batting is as nice as when they were new.

--
Wendy
http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm
de-fang email address to reply

Thanks Wendy! Everyone has spoken so highly of Hobbs batting - it must be
good! Thanks for your help and suggestions. I can't wait to get started on
the I Spy quilts but I gotta get this first quilt finished first!

Bonnie

Thank you Carol for sharing your experience. Other than Hobbs there have
been several others mention Warm & Natural. I think I will be sticking to
cotton - it seems everyone has good luck with that and I do agree with you
about keeping the quilt natural.

Bonnie

--
"C & S" wrote in message
...
Bonnie,

Everyone gave such good advice. As for me it's a question of keeping the
quilt as natural as possible - 100% natural fibers. I use W&N for MQ. I
will admit that I'm so impressed with the outcome that I tend to stick
with
it. Another brand that I've used and liked the result was dream cotton
(select for a summer quilt).

Good luck with your choice.

Carole
Champlain, NY

Well Plllbbbhhhh PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP I have! made doll quilts out of my
scraps. So there. sheesh. :-) I'd pop in more but my son John (who
is handicapped) has been keeping us very busy this year. I miss ya'll!
I also like quilters dream cotton, and the hobbs heirloom cotton
batting. All are holding up to my busy family! but... the wool is
truely my loveliest batting

Christina

muse9 wrote:
frood wrote:


Figures. You swoop in for one tiny post, and it's about Hobbs wool! G

Bonnie, Christina spoke so highly of Hobbs wool that I had to try it

myself.

I've made 2 quilts with it so far, and will do more. It is washable, but
perhaps not the best choice for a drag-around doll quilt! I've used the
cotton Warm & Natural batting for quiilts for my kids. There was almost no
shrinkage when washed. I made 3 I Spy quilts almost 4 years ago, and they
get washed frequently. The batting is as nice as when they were new.

--
Wendy
http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm
de-fang email address to reply


Thanks Wendy! Everyone has spoken so highly of Hobbs batting - it must be
good! Thanks for your help and suggestions. I can't wait to get started on
the I Spy quilts but I gotta get this first quilt finished first!

Bonnie

as far as I am concerned, there aren't many opposing opinions about cotton,
poly, etc. I think almost everybody likes cotton better, maybe with a tad of
poly, but most of us stay away from the awful all poly stuff. I do not
prewash, but I like the wrinkled look.... I buy Warm and Natural and Hobbs
but I've used other battings I liked better, too bad I have no idea what
their name was...

"muse9" wrote in message
...
I am finally making good progress on my very first quilt top! I am using
a
9 patch pattern from an Alex Anderson beginner quilting book. The piecing
is going well; I'm learning a lot and loving it!!! In fact I find I have
to
stay away from my sewing room unless I know I have the time to sew because
it seems to magnetically pull me in and keep me for hours at a time!

This pattern is for a 30x30 wall hanging but I am making it for a large
doll
quilt/lap quilt for my DGD. As I get closer to finishing the piecing I
know
I need to think about the batting I will use for this quilt. I've read so
many conflicting opinions on cotton versus poly or cotton and poly blends.
I'm sure this question has come up many time before but I am still fairly
new here and could really use some opinions.

Since this is a doll quilt for a child it will get somewhat rough usage
and
will need to be washed occasionally. I read on the bag that cotton
batting
will shrink - is this a big problem? I also read that if you use cotton
batting you have to quilt fairly close together and since I'm totally new
at
this and don't have much faith in my quilting abilities this concerns me.
Does one batting hold up better than another? I will be machine quilting
so
is one better than the other for that?

This small quilt is my first "training quilt". I got mentally hooked on
quilting several months ago and have been soaking up whatever information
I
could on the subject. Some of the best information I've received has been
right here with all of you!

I would greatly appreciate any hints or help regarding batting! Thank you
all so much!

Bonnie



--

delete "removespam" to reply

a doll quilt? how big is it? if it is small enough, maybe some of us can
send you leftovers of different battings so you can compare? or even a 10"
square so you can make some potholders or coasters and test them....

I can provide W&N since it is the only one I recognize. That is, I've used
hobbs and many other brands, I am sure, but since the remnants are all in a
bag I don't know which is which.

I once bough the softest most beautiful batting ever. it was kind of easy to
disassemble though, if you pulled too much. no idea what brand it was and I
cannot find it again...

"frood" wrote in message
.com...
Figures. You swoop in for one tiny post, and it's about Hobbs wool! G

Bonnie, Christina spoke so highly of Hobbs wool that I had to try it
myself.
I've made 2 quilts with it so far, and will do more. It is washable, but
perhaps not the best choice for a drag-around doll quilt! I've used the
cotton Warm & Natural batting for quiilts for my kids. There was almost no
shrinkage when washed. I made 3 I Spy quilts almost 4 years ago, and they
get washed frequently. The batting is as nice as when they were new.

--
Wendy
http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm
de-fang email address to reply


"NoMoreSpam" wrote in message
...
hobbs wool... It is my favorite.

Christina

muse9 wrote:
I am finally making good progress on my very first quilt top! I am
using a
9 patch pattern from an Alex Anderson beginner quilting book. The
piecing
is going well; I'm learning a lot and loving it!!! In fact I find I
have to
stay away from my sewing room unless I know I have the time to sew
because
it seems to magnetically pull me in and keep me for hours at a time!

This pattern is for a 30x30 wall hanging but I am making it for a
large
doll
quilt/lap quilt for my DGD. As I get closer to finishing the piecing
I
know
I need to think about the batting I will use for this quilt. I've
read
so
many conflicting opinions on cotton versus poly or cotton and poly
blends.
I'm sure this question has come up many time before but I am still
fairly
new here and could really use some opinions.

Since this is a doll quilt for a child it will get somewhat rough
usage
and
will need to be washed occasionally. I read on the bag that cotton
batting
will shrink - is this a big problem? I also read that if you use
cotton
batting you have to quilt fairly close together and since I'm totally
new at
this and don't have much faith in my quilting abilities this concerns
me.
Does one batting hold up better than another? I will be machine
quilting so
is one better than the other for that?

This small quilt is my first "training quilt". I got mentally hooked
on
quilting several months ago and have been soaking up whatever
information I
could on the subject. Some of the best information I've received has
been
right here with all of you!

I would greatly appreciate any hints or help regarding batting! Thank
you
all so much!

Bonnie

Hi Marissa

re cotton vs poly batt. I use both - depending on what look I want. Sometimes
I prefer fluffier, sometimes flatter, for kid quilts I only use cotton. I know
you said
"most" but I think lots of folks use poly batting and get good results. Hobbs
and Quilters Dream - both known for good quality batting - manufacture poly and
cotton.
I am not a machine quilter, but I can see how it would be easier to use cotton
for that technique. For hand quilting, I am happy with either - poly being
slightly easier to use. I don't consider it "awful" at all. I usually use
Hobbs 80/20 for cotton and Fairfield for poly - mostly because they are easiest
to come by in my area, and I have never had a problem with either.
I know poly can beard - but thankfully I have never had that problem. I am not
sure if the bearding is because of a quality of the batt or the fabric - or
both. Anyone have info on that?
Hope you don't see this as argumentative - just an opinion, and a question.

Deena - in Philly

That depends!
The one I am just finishing is one twelfth scale of a full size quilt.
One twelfth is the usual dolls house scale size. Mine is 7" x 9"
finished: 48 log cabin blocks with a half inch border. Each log is 0.2"
ggg.
Yes, I know I'm mad ... fun isn't it?!!
..
In article , Dr.Quilter
writes
a doll quilt? how big is it? if it is small enough, maybe some of us can
send you leftovers of different battings so you can compare? or even a 10"
square so you can make some potholders or coasters and test them....

I can provide W&N since it is the only one I recognize. That is, I've used
hobbs and many other brands, I am sure, but since the remnants are all in a
bag I don't know which is which.

I once bough the softest most beautiful batting ever. it was kind of easy to
disassemble though, if you pulled too much. no idea what brand it was and I
cannot find it again...
--
Best Regards
pat on the hill

"Sudrlg" wrote in message
...
Hi Marissa

re cotton vs poly batt. I use both - depending on what look I want.
Sometimes
I prefer fluffier, sometimes flatter, for kid quilts I only use cotton. I
know
you said
"most" but I think lots of folks use poly batting and get good results.
Hobbs
and Quilters Dream - both known for good quality batting - manufacture
poly and
cotton.
I am not a machine quilter, but I can see how it would be easier to use
cotton
for that technique. For hand quilting, I am happy with either - poly
being
slightly easier to use. I don't consider it "awful" at all. I usually
use
Hobbs 80/20 for cotton and Fairfield for poly - mostly because they are
easiest
to come by in my area, and I have never had a problem with either.
I know poly can beard - but thankfully I have never had that problem. I
am not
sure if the bearding is because of a quality of the batt or the fabric -
or
both. Anyone have info on that?
Hope you don't see this as argumentative - just an opinion, and a
question.

Deena - in Philly

I agree - I use Quilter's Dream Poly for my (few and far between!) large
quilts and I do machine quilt. I make zillions of quillows - probably
close to eighty or ninety in the last ten years - and I use Fairfield
traditional poly for them. Works fine. I have several that I use and wash
and they still look good.

The cottin is supposed to be good for machine quilting because it "grabs"
the fabric. This is true, but I've found it more of a hindrance. The stuff
(either Quilter's Dream cotton or Warm & Natural) sure did grab while I was
trying to smooth it out. Aggravating! And sometimes it would hang up
during quilting. Maybe it's a matter of technique, I don't know. I just
find the poly perfectly easy to pin baste smoothly and I almost never have
tucks. It washes well and seems to hold up.

I guess we use whatever works best for us!

Iris

I just love natural materials. I use only cotton fabric, cotton thread, so I
stick to (at least 80%) cotton batting as well. I have never had a problem
hand quilting W&N, and it is the 'hardest' cotton batting I've seen. Maybe I
would get more stitches to the inch if I used poly, but I feel this is
better... I just abhor the feeling of all poly batting! And the only quilt
I've made that has had bearding is the first one, in which I had no clue
what I was doing and I used wallmart fabric and poly batting....

"Sudrlg" wrote in message
...
Hi Marissa

re cotton vs poly batt. I use both - depending on what look I want.
Sometimes
I prefer fluffier, sometimes flatter, for kid quilts I only use cotton. I
know
you said
"most" but I think lots of folks use poly batting and get good results.
Hobbs
and Quilters Dream - both known for good quality batting - manufacture
poly and
cotton.
I am not a machine quilter, but I can see how it would be easier to use
cotton
for that technique. For hand quilting, I am happy with either - poly
being
slightly easier to use. I don't consider it "awful" at all. I usually
use
Hobbs 80/20 for cotton and Fairfield for poly - mostly because they are
easiest
to come by in my area, and I have never had a problem with either.
I know poly can beard - but thankfully I have never had that problem. I
am not
sure if the bearding is because of a quality of the batt or the fabric -
or
both. Anyone have info on that?
Hope you don't see this as argumentative - just an opinion, and a
question.

Deena - in Philly

Aren't you sweet to suggest that! I bought some Hobbs 100% cotton batting
and some Hobbs 80/20 batting a while back when Hobby Lobby had it on sale
for 1/2 price. I knew at some point I would use it! So I do have some
batting. In fact I covered an old table with cotton batting and then muslin
and I use it for an ironing table and also a cutting table when I add my
rotary mat to it.

The quilt I'm making is meant to be a wall hanging. It is a 30x30 nine
patch. I got the pattern from an Alex Anderson beginner book. I am doing
it in all pinks and purples for my granddaughter. It is almost big enough
to be a lap quilt for her if she wants but it started out to be a large doll
quilt. I made her a doll last Christmas and I've made some doll clothes for
her dolls as well. This just seemed to be a good first quilting project for
me.

The one thing that surprised me about the batting is how thin it is. I
don't know what I was expecting, but somehow I thought batting was thicker!
I know you can buy some that is but I understand the traditional batting is
easiest for quilting.

Thank you so much for your very kind offer - I really appreciate it. I have
some for now to get me started and I'm hoping since so many have said that
Hobbs is good that what I have will work out well.

Bonnie




"Dr.Quilter" wrote

a doll quilt? how big is it? if it is small enough, maybe some of us can
send you leftovers of different battings so you can compare? or even a 10"
square so you can make some potholders or coasters and test them....

I can provide W&N since it is the only one I recognize. That is, I've used
hobbs and many other brands, I am sure, but since the remnants are all in
a
bag I don't know which is which.

I once bough the softest most beautiful batting ever. it was kind of easy
to
disassemble though, if you pulled too much. no idea what brand it was and
I
cannot find it again...

Thanks so much for your help. I learn so much from everyone here! Much
more than I would ever learn from a book. Experience is always the best
teacher!

Bonnie



"Dr.Quilter" wrote in message
...
as far as I am concerned, there aren't many opposing opinions about
cotton,
poly, etc. I think almost everybody likes cotton better, maybe with a tad
of
poly, but most of us stay away from the awful all poly stuff. I do not
prewash, but I like the wrinkled look.... I buy Warm and Natural and Hobbs
but I've used other battings I liked better, too bad I have no idea what
their name was...

Wow Patti! You must have good eyes! I have done some small doll clothes
sewing but it gets to my eyes after awhile! Will you have a picture to
show?

Bonnie


"Patti" wrote in message
...
That depends!
The one I am just finishing is one twelfth scale of a full size quilt.
One twelfth is the usual dolls house scale size. Mine is 7" x 9"
finished: 48 log cabin blocks with a half inch border. Each log is 0.2"
ggg.
Yes, I know I'm mad ... fun isn't it?!!

Thanks Bonnie
I don't think it will get as far as a picture! It isn't very good - it
was just an experiment really. I was using the soluble paper-piecing
paper to see how good the dissolving was on such a tiny thing; and I
wanted to see how feasible it was for *me* to do such a real tiny. I
had in mind to do another two, but now I may not! It doesn't look as
good as I hoped. I have great difficulty with fabric pattern scale,
when doing my really small things. You know, it looks small - but turns
out not to be small enough!
..
In article , muse9
writes
Wow Patti! You must have good eyes! I have done some small doll clothes
sewing but it gets to my eyes after awhile! Will you have a picture to
show?

Bonnie
--
Best Regards
pat on the hill

In article ,
"muse9" wrote:

Wow Patti! You must have good eyes! I have done some small doll clothes
sewing but it gets to my eyes after awhile! Will you have a picture to
show?

Bonnie


"Patti" wrote in message
...
That depends!
The one I am just finishing is one twelfth scale of a full size quilt.
One twelfth is the usual dolls house scale size. Mine is 7" x 9"
finished: 48 log cabin blocks with a half inch border. Each log is 0.2"
ggg.
Yes, I know I'm mad ... fun isn't it?!!


Omigosh! Pat, that sounds like an exercise in how to get a headache
quickly! g I'd love to see the finished mini!
--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
my ISP is earthlink.net -- put sfoster1(at) in front
http://home.earthlink.net/~sfoster1

Ha!
It's a headache all right! but not in the sense you mean!
The scale of the fabric patterns is wrong; the soluble paper-piecing
paper didn't properly dissolve; I decided to sew it all together before
I took the papers off. I cut the little borders without realising that
the piece I cut them from (which had a straight edge on it) had been cut
on the cross! I even had to re-think my original quilting pattern, when
I realised the foot was obscuring the points I was going to aim for!!
All in all a chapter of accidents. However, since it was pretty
experimental, I'm glad I got all these out of the way in one go!!
I don't think it will merit a picture, unless I decide to put a little
section in about 'those that got away'!!!
..
In article ,
Sandy Foster writes

Omigosh! Pat, that sounds like an exercise in how to get a headache
quickly! g I'd love to see the finished mini!

--
Best Regards
pat on the hill

When I first started quilting, I used the polyester stuff. I didn't
realize that the batting was the reason that my backing shifted and
puckered.

After learning about it from this group, I tried Warm & Natural (now I
usually use Warm & White) and was hooked. I have never had a backing
shift and pucker since. It also feels so much nicer than the
polyester.

I buy it 10 yards at a time at JoAnn's when they have all battings 50%
off.

Kim

"muse9" wrote in message ...
I am finally making good progress on my very first quilt top! I am using a
9 patch pattern from an Alex Anderson beginner quilting book. The piecing
is going well; I'm learning a lot and loving it!!! In fact I find I have to
stay away from my sewing room unless I know I have the time to sew because
it seems to magnetically pull me in and keep me for hours at a time!

This pattern is for a 30x30 wall hanging but I am making it for a large doll
quilt/lap quilt for my DGD. As I get closer to finishing the piecing I know
I need to think about the batting I will use for this quilt. I've read so
many conflicting opinions on cotton versus poly or cotton and poly blends.
I'm sure this question has come up many time before but I am still fairly
new here and could really use some opinions.

Since this is a doll quilt for a child it will get somewhat rough usage and
will need to be washed occasionally. I read on the bag that cotton batting
will shrink - is this a big problem? I also read that if you use cotton
batting you have to quilt fairly close together and since I'm totally new at
this and don't have much faith in my quilting abilities this concerns me.
Does one batting hold up better than another? I will be machine quilting so
is one better than the other for that?

This small quilt is my first "training quilt". I got mentally hooked on
quilting several months ago and have been soaking up whatever information I
could on the subject. Some of the best information I've received has been
right here with all of you!

I would greatly appreciate any hints or help regarding batting! Thank you
all so much!

Bonnie

From all I've learned here I will definitely stay away from 100% polyester!
I may try some 80/20 since I already bought both that and the 100% cotton.
Like you I watch for the good sales to stock up on sewing supplies. The
batting I have now is Hobbs and I got it for 50% off at Hobby Lobby a while
back.

Thanks for your help Kim,
Bonnie


--
"Kim E" wrote in message
om...
When I first started quilting, I used the polyester stuff. I didn't
realize that the batting was the reason that my backing shifted and
puckered.

After learning about it from this group, I tried Warm & Natural (now I
usually use Warm & White) and was hooked. I have never had a backing
shift and pucker since. It also feels so much nicer than the
polyester.

I buy it 10 yards at a time at JoAnn's when they have all battings 50%
off.

Kim

"muse9" wrote in message
...
I am finally making good progress on my very first quilt top! I am
using a
9 patch pattern from an Alex Anderson beginner quilting book. The
piecing
is going well; I'm learning a lot and loving it!!! In fact I find I
have to
stay away from my sewing room unless I know I have the time to sew
because
it seems to magnetically pull me in and keep me for hours at a time!

This pattern is for a 30x30 wall hanging but I am making it for a large
doll
quilt/lap quilt for my DGD. As I get closer to finishing the piecing I
know
I need to think about the batting I will use for this quilt. I've read
so
many conflicting opinions on cotton versus poly or cotton and poly
blends.
I'm sure this question has come up many time before but I am still
fairly
new here and could really use some opinions.

Since this is a doll quilt for a child it will get somewhat rough usage
and
will need to be washed occasionally. I read on the bag that cotton
batting
will shrink - is this a big problem? I also read that if you use cotton
batting you have to quilt fairly close together and since I'm totally
new at
this and don't have much faith in my quilting abilities this concerns
me.
Does one batting hold up better than another? I will be machine
quilting so
is one better than the other for that?

This small quilt is my first "training quilt". I got mentally hooked on
quilting several months ago and have been soaking up whatever
information I
could on the subject. Some of the best information I've received has
been
right here with all of you!

I would greatly appreciate any hints or help regarding batting! Thank
you
all so much!

Bonnie

In article ,
Patti wrote:

Ha!
It's a headache all right! but not in the sense you mean!
The scale of the fabric patterns is wrong; the soluble paper-piecing
paper didn't properly dissolve; I decided to sew it all together before
I took the papers off. I cut the little borders without realising that
the piece I cut them from (which had a straight edge on it) had been cut
on the cross! I even had to re-think my original quilting pattern, when
I realised the foot was obscuring the points I was going to aim for!!
All in all a chapter of accidents. However, since it was pretty
experimental, I'm glad I got all these out of the way in one go!!
I don't think it will merit a picture, unless I decide to put a little
section in about 'those that got away'!!!
.


Ah, but I'd like to see a picture anyway! After all, I've never seen one
made with pieces this small -- you're much braver than I am. :)
--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
my ISP is earthlink.net -- put sfoster1(at) in front
http://home.earthlink.net/~sfoster1

OK Sandy!
Now, the binding has gone wrong as well - and it's a rescue job if
possible today! but I'll get DH to take you a picture. (436 pieces!! )
..
In article ,
Sandy Foster writes
In article ,
Patti wrote:

Ah, but I'd like to see a picture anyway! After all, I've never seen one
made with pieces this small -- you're much braver than I am. :)

--
Best Regards
pat on the hill

In article ,
Patti wrote:

OK Sandy!
Now, the binding has gone wrong as well - and it's a rescue job if
possible today! but I'll get DH to take you a picture. (436 pieces!! )
.

Good luck redoing the binding, Pat! And I'm anxious to see the picture!
g
--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
my ISP is earthlink.net -- put sfoster1(at) in front
http://home.earthlink.net/~sfoster1