Thread: Opinion-how to join batting scraps

I have zig zagged and used the tape. I prefer to zig zag as it goes faster.

I do nether. I use cut strips of lightweight fusible interfacing, trim the edges so they will butt up perfectly and then fuse. I have always been able to feel any zig zag stitching on the batting when the quilt has been finished. Just my preference.

Originally Posted by cowpie2

I have collected two large totes of batting strips left over from quilts. I have trimmed and squared them up. Now what is the simplest way to put all the pieces together? Zig zag stitch on the sewing machine or would just a simple whip stitch by hand be sufficient?

I prefer whip stitching by hand----------I can adjust position of batting more easily than if using a machine.

I typically use the 3 step zig-zag stitch found on my Brother machine.

I float my tops and have cut my batting a bit short several times. You'd think I would get it right after doing that once. When that happens, I have been known to butt up the new piece of batting and flip the quilt top over it and continue quilting. I use pantos that are medium density of stitching and Warm & Natural batting, which recommends stitching every 10 inches. As long as I have quilted enough stitches, the W&N doesn't move. When I say enough stitches, the panto patterns I typically use, are ones that don't have really straight lines along any edges, so the interlocking edges go back & forth over the batting I butted up. I haven't seen any separation in the batting, and between us and the dogs using the quilts, they get a lot of washing.

Years ago, I saw an article that recommending this butting up method - they started by layering the two pieces of batting together, then taking a rotary cutter and weaved a cutting line that wasn't straight, sorta like uneven scallops. Picture the batting looking like a big long piece not on top of each other, except where the two pieces are to be joined. This weaving of the cutting means you can use straight lines of stitching and still have both pieces caught with the same stitches. I'll see if I can find the article.

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/i...2184254AAginNr
http://quiltersbattinguniversity.blo...wo-pieces.html (I use this method but don't use the fusible to hold it together.)

I lay out the batting pieces on a table, lay the batting tape on it and press with an iron. It's much faster then sewing but I use the tape and ever how many folding tables I need because I don't have to move the batting until it's the size I need it to be.

I've joined mine using a whip stitch while laying the two pieces side by side on my cutting table. This is the best way for me not to get any puckers and I use a loose stitch just making sure the two pieces are held. I've bought the tape you iron on but prefer the hand stitching.