A comment about batting

[sewcarolyn]

thank you for all of this information this is wonderful I have not given this much thought since I send mine out (for the time being) to a couple of LA quilters who both use cotton. I am filing this info away for future use. I do use Warm and Natural for small projects though

[CaroleJ]

I have never made a quilt with a poly batting. Years ago, before I even started quilting, a friend recommended Warm and Natural; I had no trouble with it and I like the fact that it's a natural fiber and breathes, yet is still plenty warm for our mild climate. I have never used anything else.

[grammy65]

I love Quilters' Dream wool batting. Never have tried cotton, although I know a lot of people love it. Since we are sheep people thought I would give our industry a boost. LOL But it's wonderful, drapes beautifullys, and quilts like a dream. No shrinkage either.

[1quiltinnana]

I use Warm & Natural cotton batting. Love it! It is easy to sew on and very nice.

[swakins]

I had a much more experienced quilting friend turn me onto the cotton batting when she gave me a package of Hobbs batting as a gift. I have never gone back.
But as a spinner, weaver and knitter, I do think the wool batting would probably be the best if you were looking for warmth and although I don't hand quilt I do imagine it would be a dream for hand quilters.
OHSue

[sewbug]

The Warm and Natural I bought had so many dark hulls or whatever it was all through it, I couldn't use it with a light backing. The batting that is my favorite for handquilting is Hobbs Tuscany Silk Batting.

[kristilynette]

I am a hand quilter and love to quilt with warm & natural cotton batting. I made several quilts last year and quilted them on the machine due to the kind of fabric I used. I also used poly batting because a lady that was going to the nursing home gave me several bags. I do not like how any of those quilts feel. The cotton gives a quilt the "Old-timey" feel that I love about quilts. I won't use poly again. Kristi

[Cathy32078]

Swakins you are right about wool batting being a dream to handquilt. It needles like a knife going through soft butter. I have a quilt I'm working on now with wool. Cotton is great too but I do not like poly at all. Plus, in case of a fire, poly will melt onto you.

Bamboo batting is nice. DH did 2 on the LA. They did shrink quite a bit after they were washed and really looked old and crinkled. Which due to the pattern & fabrics used, it was what we were wanting.

[girl]

I'm a first time quilter and I bought some poly-fil cotton classic batting and it saids you can pre-soak if no shrinkage is desired has any one tryed this brand and how did it work for you. I don't want it to draw up. Can some tell me if I should wash the top of the quilt before batting and backing it? No I did'nt wash the material first, was afraid it would look bad.

[DeniAZ]

Girl,
If you didn't wash the fabric before sewing it together, please don't wash it until the quilt is finished. You would have all of those seams raveling in the wash!

I don't presoak my batting, as I haven't had much shrinkage with my quilts. I've also made quilts without prewashing the fabric, and haven't had any problems.... yet

I'm sure there are others who will share their advice and experience as well!