backwards batting?

**Lara122** · 10-24-2012, 03:54 AM

Hello!

on fons and porter the other day, a guest long armer was talking about the different 'sides' of batting. She said as it was made, it had two different surfaces. one side is sort of 'pre punched' and the other isn't. Turns out, you need the prepunched side UP to your top, to keep tufts of batting pushing thru to the back.

I have the kaleidoscope quilt pin basted and ready to quilt. You wonderful ladies helped me with the pattern, and I started before I hurt my hand. I did have trouble with seeing the batting on the back, but I also had trouble getting my tension smooth. I worked on a sample, and didn't really get it resolved.

My hand has improved, and I am anxious to try again. But you guessed it, when I checked how I have my sandwich layered, I do have the batting 'upside down'. Sigh.

How important is this for my finished product? Could the batting issue be confusing me with the tension? I have never had such a hard time with quilting layers, and tension. Have I just used the batting (warm and natural) the right way and been lucky?

Suggestions are SO welcome.
Thanks
Lara

**katier825** · 10-24-2012, 04:04 AM

I made many quilts before I even heard of the batting having a right/wrong side. I would not have known if I hadn't heard it here. Never had a problem with the quilts I made. Most were made with Warm & Natural batting. I wouldn't worry about it since you already sandwiched it.

**Lilrain** · 10-24-2012, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by katier825

I made many quilts before I even heard of the batting having a right/wrong side. I would not have known if I hadn't heard it here. Never had a problem with the quilts I made. Most were made with Warm & Natural batting. I wouldn't worry about it since you already sandwiched it.

I did not know there was a difference and have never had any problems.

**janRN** · 10-24-2012, 04:39 AM

I agree with Katie--I've never looked at a right or wrong side of batting whether I'm machine or hand quilting. I wouldn't take apart the sandwiched quilt.

**feline fanatic** · 10-24-2012, 04:53 AM

I have had this issue rear its ugly head with Warm and Natural batting while Longarm quilting. It did not affect my tension but what happened is little tiny tufts of batting were being forced through with the needle (and yes this was a brand new needle) through the backing. I later learned these were often referred to as "Pokies". I searched the internet and found a great posting on the APQS forum about it with pictures showing right side and wrong side:

http://forum.apqs.com/index.php?/top...arm+%2Bnatural

I ended up cutting the batting and flipping it over and the pokie problem went away. I do not know if this is an issue with quilting on domestic sewing machines. The needles are much smaller on domestic machines so this would be why the previous posters may say they never checked and never had a problem.

The wrong side/right side up issue would not affect your tension. The only probelm with wrong side up is you can get pokies of batting show up on your back.

**azwendyg** · 10-24-2012, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by feline fanatic

I have had this issue rear its ugly head with Warm and Natural batting while Longarm quilting. It did not affect my tension but what happened is little tiny tufts of batting were being forced through with the needle (and yes this was a brand new needle) through the backing. I later learned these were often referred to as "Pokies". I searched the internet and found a great posting on the APQS forum about it with pictures showing right side and wrong side:

http://forum.apqs.com/index.php?/top...arm+%2Bnatural

I ended up cutting the batting and flipping it over and the pokie problem went away. I do not know if this is an issue with quilting on domestic sewing machines. The needles are much smaller on domestic machines so this would be why the previous posters may say they never checked and never had a problem.

...

Well, who knew? Thanks for the link!!! It turns out I've been purposefully using Warm and Natural UPSIDE DOWN. I did notice the difference in the two sides, and put the nice smooth side up under my pieced tops. No wonder I haven't been too fond of it (because of its tendency to leave little "pokies")! I use a domestic machine for quilting and vary the needle size to suit the thread I'm using. I guess I'll give Warm and Natural another chance...

**batikmystique** · 10-25-2012, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by azwendyg

Well, who knew? Thanks for the link!!! It turns out I've been purposefully using Warm and Natural UPSIDE DOWN. I did notice the difference in the two sides, and put the nice smooth side up under my pieced tops. No wonder I haven't been too fond of it (because of its tendency to leave little "pokies")! I use a domestic machine for quilting and vary the needle size to suit the thread I'm using. I guess I'll give Warm and Natural another chance...

You just made me feel so much better! I've been purposely facing the smooth side up also. Never knew there was a right or wrong side, either. Yet another great lessoned learned from the QB! I'll definitely be passing this along to my other quilting friends who might be unsuspecting as well.

**hperttula123** · 10-24-2012, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by feline fanatic

I have had this issue rear its ugly head with Warm and Natural batting while Longarm quilting. It did not affect my tension but what happened is little tiny tufts of batting were being forced through with the needle (and yes this was a brand new needle) through the backing. I later learned these were often referred to as "Pokies". I searched the internet and found a great posting on the APQS forum about it with pictures showing right side and wrong side:

http://forum.apqs.com/index.php?/top...arm+%2Bnatural

I ended up cutting the batting and flipping it over and the pokie problem went away. I do not know if this is an issue with quilting on domestic sewing machines. The needles are much smaller on domestic machines so this would be why the previous posters may say they never checked and never had a problem.

The wrong side/right side up issue would not affect your tension. The only probelm with wrong side up is you can get pokies of batting show up on your back.

That is what I had happen. It doesn't mess with the tension at all but it does leave pokeys showing. I don't like the pokeys. I always check to make sure I have the right side up with warm and natural. I've never had an issue with anything quilted on a domestic machine(usually just making mug rugs or table runners).

**orangeroom** · 10-24-2012, 04:56 AM

I, too, was recently informed of the right and wrong side of batting. I've made many quilts using warm and natural. Only one of them has white dots on the back. Unfortunately it has midnight blue fabric, so I could and still can tell. Apparently you and I have been lucky in the past. Your quilt will still look stunning, no matter if the back has issues or not. It will still keep someone warm. If you've already started it, then only you can decide if it will be worth it to un-do it or continue on. Good luck with your quilt.

**Tartan** · 10-24-2012, 04:58 AM

I have never heard of the batting having a "wrong" side. Perhaps it is just for longarmers and it is better for them? If batting had a wrong side then you would get tufts on the back or the front depending on which way you used it, sounds strange to me. I expect my batting to not "tuft" no matter how I use it.

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