"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)