batting

[tiggeriffic02]

Not to be stupid but do you pre-shrink your batting and how do you do it?
THanks
Kathy

[zfatcat]

I just use it as is. I've been using quilters dream puff and just love it. It maked the quilts soft and squishy. I believe it 80 poly/20 cotton. Lori

[HomespunMary]

It is not at all a stupid question, but it'll depend on what type of batting you're using.

I'm a pre-shrinker, LOL! I like the security that comes with it - knowing that not too much will happen when the entire quilt is washed for the first time. So, I've pre-shrunk batting a number of times, and just followed the directions that came with it (can't remember the brands now, but I guess 80-20 batting of some kind, or possibly 100 % cotton).

I washed it on a "wool setting" in my washing machine, and then dried it on the cold/air setting in the dryer. I was really worried I would just end up with a big ball of batting in the end, but it worked great! I'm sure though, that you can't do this with any batting...

[Grammy2]

Are you supposed to pre-shrink Warm & Natural? And if you don't, does it shrink alot.
I'm asking because, I just made a baby quilt & did not preshrink it. Hope the quilt will be ok.

[sadiedaisy1]

Grammy, you have the option to preshrink Warm & Natural-I believe it comes with directions for that. But, I never do. I think it's supposed to shrink a little-like 3% or something. I don't preshrink my fabric either and after I'm done making a quilt, I wash it all with Retayne (but I might start using the color catchers from the grocery store) and my quilts come out a little crinkled. My DH likes that look-it gives it an antique, soft, look to it. So it's up to you how you prefer your quilt to look after washing. Hope that helps! Lori

[sunsup]

I havn't preshrunk, but I may start. If I make a new quilt I want it to look new. LOL

[petlover]

I've never preshrunk any of my batting. But I like the way it looks when it shrinks up, kind of crinkly looking. But tht's me. You may want to shrink it ahead of time. Let us know how it works out for you.
Linda

[CoyoteQuilts]

I use Hobbs 80/20. I spray it with plain water to dampen then throw it in the dryer on regular heat when I want to shrink my batting. I started doing this after I saw a quilt I did several years ago. I preshrunk the fabric but not the batting & on the edges by the binding the batting was shrunk, but the fabric was folded over itself. I was not happy.

Sharon V.