What batting to I use for "puffy" ?
#1
What batting to I use for "puffy" ?
I have a friend who may ask me to make her a quilt. I think she is still mulling it over, which is fine. She did ask my DH though that she would like it "puffy" She has seen several of the quilts I have made in which I used Warm & Natural cotton batting. My question is this, is polyester the only option for puffy? I have only used polyester batting to make (2) dog pads. I used my walking foot and just did them both with a grid pattern. They turned out fine and were the puffiest quilts (small or otherwise) that I have made. If you use polyester batting does that limit how it is quilted? I just want to be prepared if this pans out and she does ask me to do this.
#3
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
Hobbs Polydown has nice loft and is puffy. Quilting must be done a minimum of 4" apart. Wool is another option but carries a very hefty price tag. Again Hobbs makes two wools. The most commonly found is Hobbs Heirloom washable wool. Also requires quilting spaced at 4" minimum.
Quilters Dream also carries a wool bat and a high loft poly called Dream Puff.
Quilters Dream also carries a wool bat and a high loft poly called Dream Puff.
#4
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,140
Warm & Plush is 50% puffier than Warm & Natural. It isn't as easy to find in all the JAF stores, but I never struggle to find it online. I really love it! I ordered a 25yd x 90" roll from walmart.com and am thrilled every time. The only thing is that that extra thickness does add some extra weight. If she wants something that is light like a comforter, poly is probably your only option (or a poly-cotton blend).
Edit: Just saw your second question ... regardless of what type of batting you use, the heavier you quilt it, the flatter it becomes. You really don't want to leave more than 2-3" between your quilting lines if she is going to be washing it on a regular basis because wider spacing will result in more tension on the thread/fabric and the threads can weaken or snap over time. If you quilt closer together than that, though, it will be less puffy.
Edit: Just saw your second question ... regardless of what type of batting you use, the heavier you quilt it, the flatter it becomes. You really don't want to leave more than 2-3" between your quilting lines if she is going to be washing it on a regular basis because wider spacing will result in more tension on the thread/fabric and the threads can weaken or snap over time. If you quilt closer together than that, though, it will be less puffy.
Last edited by Bree123; 11-03-2015 at 10:26 AM.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 673
Just a thought here - would a fabric with a satiny finish (cotton sateen?) be a good choice to enhance the appearance of puffiness? I know real satin is slippery and probably impractical, but cottons with a sheen wouldn't be. Since this would greatly limit fabric choice, maybe just the dominant fabric, border, or back?
#7
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Edit: Regarding sateen, my experience with it is that it loses its gloss with washing and wrinkles badly once that finish is lost. I would not recommend it. Satin and silk have that wonderful soft feel to them, but they are so slippery they can create problems with the piecing, layering and quilting processes. They require extra skill in handling.
Last edited by Prism99; 11-03-2015 at 11:31 AM.
#8
Prism & Bree123 I think you have answered my questions. I do quilt on a DSM. It makes perfect sense that more quilting would make it less puffy. I'll take a look at the Hobbs Polydown. I think she probably does prefer something lighter like a comforter. My friend says her decor is "antique-y" and I know she would not ask for anything specific, so this is just me starting to plan things in my head. I guess for me "simpler" and "antique" go together anyway; stippling seems more modern to me. Nothing wrong with a grid pattern or S.I.D. :-) Thank you!
#9
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
I use to have people request to make them a puffy quilt. I don't like quilting with poly. I told them that the difference between comforters and quilts is that comforters are fluffy and quilts are flat.
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