I've searched and found many threads concerning quilt batting, but my specific question is: Do the handquilters here that like Cotton Dream 100% cotton batting prefer to use Request loft, or Select loft?
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I've searched and found many threads concerning quilt batting, but my specific question is: Do the handquilters here that like Cotton Dream 100% cotton batting prefer to use Request loft, or Select loft?
I would assume the request as it is thinner.
Request is the one I see most often recommended for hand quilters.
I mostly machine quilt, and I love using the Select batting.
I use a poly batting for hand quilting, and a cotton (or cotton with a little poly to limit shrinking) when machine quilting. Because I don't like the batting to shrink the first time I wash the quilt, I prewash the batting if it is 100% cotton. (If you decide to pre-wash DO NOT just run the batting through a wash cycle, just get it wet, spin out the water and put in dryer. Just don't agitate or the batting will come apart. Haven't figured out how to do it with the front loading washing machines yet.)
Different battings give a different look to quilts. Get a small sample, quilt it with whatever technique you want, and wash the test piece. You'll find the look that is what you are looking for.
amh
I use Select loft. But I like their wool even better.
Jan in VA
Jan in VA
Living in the foothills
peacefully colors my world.
I use the request - it's like sliding the needle thru butter!! It has a 1% shrinkage rate - not much at all. I just used up the last of my warm & natural in a quilt for a child. I like the ease of buying w&n at joann's - but thankfully there is a place not too far away that I can buy the dream cotton. Never have tried their wool batting.....might have to do that.
my name is becca and i'm a quilt-a-holic :-)