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#1
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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 |
#2
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"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) |
#3
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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) |
#4
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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) |
#5
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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) |
#6
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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) |
#7
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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 |
#8
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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 |
#9
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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 |
#10
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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 |
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