Batting advice?
#11
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
romille, I don't think you could go wrong with trying Hobbs 80/20 for your third quilt. It would be thicker, warmer, and heavier than QD cotton without breaking the bank. It is easy to hand or machine quilt.
Warm and Natural is a dense batting that would be thicker/warmer/heavier than QD cotton. Compared to Hobbs 80/20 it is a lot heavier and has a stiffer drape. Hobbs 80/20 would be softer.
I haven't used wool yet, but everyone who uses it seems to really like it. If you use wool, I would stick with Hobbs wool. One QB poster had bearding problems with QD wool. Wool from other than those two brands is unpredictable.
Personally, I don't use bamboo because most of it is made with quite a toxic process.
I have read that fusibles can be nice for smaller quilts, but tend to be difficult to use for bed sized quilts. (Fusible batting is unforgiving; once you iron it in place you cannot adjust or correct a mistake.)
Hobs 80/20 is a really good middle-of-the-road batting to start out with, especially if you want to stay with primarily cotton. The poly lends the batt lightness (in weight), loft, and softness.
Warm and Natural is a dense batting that would be thicker/warmer/heavier than QD cotton. Compared to Hobbs 80/20 it is a lot heavier and has a stiffer drape. Hobbs 80/20 would be softer.
I haven't used wool yet, but everyone who uses it seems to really like it. If you use wool, I would stick with Hobbs wool. One QB poster had bearding problems with QD wool. Wool from other than those two brands is unpredictable.
Personally, I don't use bamboo because most of it is made with quite a toxic process.
I have read that fusibles can be nice for smaller quilts, but tend to be difficult to use for bed sized quilts. (Fusible batting is unforgiving; once you iron it in place you cannot adjust or correct a mistake.)
Hobs 80/20 is a really good middle-of-the-road batting to start out with, especially if you want to stay with primarily cotton. The poly lends the batt lightness (in weight), loft, and softness.
Last edited by Prism99; 11-18-2013 at 07:47 AM.
#12
I use a layer of prewashed flannel with thin batting when I want more heft to the quilt. I've been using Fairfield 80/20 batting with the flannel. I have a closet full of batting of all kinds bought on sale or clearance. I'm taking a roll at a time to our guild sale table every month. Now I just buy what I really like to use which is wool or silk.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,097
(Typing from phone, apologies in advance for brevity and errors)
I am still a newb, and have only completed two quilts. I have a third top ready for quilting and have begun piecing a fourth.
I used Quilter's Dream on my first two, and they are both really thin. I would like my quilts to be thicker/warmer/heavier, but I don't know much about batting options.
I am wondering what to look for when I go shopping for my batting. Also, I have recently seen fusible batting and am wondering if that would make basting easier.
I am still a newb, and have only completed two quilts. I have a third top ready for quilting and have begun piecing a fourth.
I used Quilter's Dream on my first two, and they are both really thin. I would like my quilts to be thicker/warmer/heavier, but I don't know much about batting options.
I am wondering what to look for when I go shopping for my batting. Also, I have recently seen fusible batting and am wondering if that would make basting easier.
What matters in the end is how you like it. (Now, if you want to enter a judged quilt show I would follow "tradition").
One additional observation - first, take your batting out of the package and lay it out to breathe over night before you quilt it and if it is quilted on a longarm give the quilt time to relax after quilting as it does flatten on the rollers.
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ridgefield WA
Posts: 7,765
Yes, I agree. I love Quilter's Dream Orient with bamboo, cotton, silk and Tercel (eucalyptus fiber). And its Select loft.
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