Batting for table runners?
 

I attended two craft shows today and was looking at the table runners...most did not have batting or the batting was so thin it felt like the thickness of felt. Are you supposed to put batting in a table runner and if so, what?

I have had this posted now since Saturday and not one response! I've had 60 views but no responses! On the old format, I would have gotten a lot of answers! Have the helpful people left the board? This never even made it to the top of the "What's New", I guess because it didn't have any responses. The first place I found it was on page 2 of the "What's New"... Strange how this is working... I am posting again...

I think you've struck the nail on the head. I'm finding it difficult to review posts daily. The newsletter only shows a few topics that are hot. I have been going down a list (one page only) found by heading under the Home tab. But then I can't tell whether I've already looked at them. I wonder how long I'll keep doing it that way.

I too would like to know what to put in table runners for batting. The first one I made, I didn't think, and just stuck in a poly batt. Then realized the silliness it would cause if you wanted to set centerpiece or tableware on it. I apoligized to the person who bought it at the church craft sale. She didn't seem too concerned. I've seen them without batting, but I think they need a little something in them.

Batting for Tablerunners
 

I just saw your question regarding batting for tablerunners. I've made a number of these and even sold a few. I have always used a light traditional batting. You need something that will give it that quilted look, but without too much bulk. I prefer a cotton batting such as warm and natural, and that has worked great for the ones I have made. I hope you get additional comments, as I'm sure there are some who have made more than I have.

Hi, I just saw this too. You could also use flannel if you want a thinner look or something along those lines. Really it is up to you. I have seen puffier ones that have the polyester batting in them but they look good and a vase with flowers would fit fine. Just what you want and the look you are after. Have fun.

On one of the tablerunner patterns I just purchased, it suggested useing flannel as the batting. I have a bunch of scrap flannel pieces a friend gave me, so I think I will try that. It's a good way for me to use up the flannel pieces I don't particularly like, and also to keep the runner from being too thick.

Thank you all for the reply's, I feel much better...LOL I guess there isn't any quilting police rules on the batting, whatever tickles your fancy...I guess when I see something quilted, I expect a little batting but I can also see the problem with the poly poofyness also. Probably the cotton batting would be the way to go. Thanks again!

I do not think all of the "helpful people" have left this board. I think there is a learning curve that effects the end results any time there is a change or something new going on within a system.

I have used flannel and Warm and Natural, if I am using traditional batting I make sure it is quitled pretty closely ( I LA it with a very close meander) it then is fine for setting anything on it without the fear of it tipping ..

I think you're a victim of the new board format to be honest with you. It's a pretty easy question to answer. Things seem to get lost pretty easily here. I don't know why out of 60 people no one answered to be hones with you.

I use either a heavy muslin, flannel or a VERY thin batting - the kind that looks like felt. If you use a thick batting your table runner will be lumpy lol.

I just purchased "soft and bright" batting at my local Joann's. It is made by the Warm Company and is a thin batt. Also half the price of warm and natural batt. I plan on using it for my placemats and tablerunner. I feel it will work quite well.

Don't know what you're supposed to do, but do know I would want a little padding for me;
like has been said - thin traditional bat, or a few layers of flannel.

(Was on the board both Sat and Sun and truthfully do not recall seeing your post.
Am still having some problems negotiating our new board, but am getting better.)

I always use Warm & White batting, for just about everything, including table runners. It's thin and works quite well!

I like my tablerunners to have some sort of batting too. Usually I use flannel (prewashed & dried) but have also been using an old mattress topper that was mostly still good but worn down in the center. I washed & dried it. Then cut out the worn part. It's already quilted so I can quilt as much or as little as I want.
I too am having a slow time navigating the new board but haven't had much time on it either.
Hope that helps a little

I made 2 Xmas runners and used a thin batting and they turned out fine. Not bulky and lay flat too.
Hope that helps.
Sorry, I am new to the board so still finding my way around.

I like to use Warm and Natural in mine. It just gives it the right amount of body.

I use low loft polyester and it certainly isn't puffy.

I too like to have some filling in my table runners. I use a low loft 80/20 poly/cotton and have had no issues with tipping or anything. Part of that could be beacuse I use a meandering or stippling type quilting so that it lays the batting down. Still get a puffy look but the quilting holds everything down flat.

I agree with everyone else - sometimes no batting, other times a low loft. Just saw your post now - I'm only on in the morning. And I'm still having a bit of difficulty navigating around the new site also.

Hi, I have 4 table runners that I'm finishing up right now. I use the warm and natural and hand quilt them. I love the look of hand quilting. I've done one for each of the seasons. I think I'll make more so I have one for every month. I love them.

I use cotton batting in most of my table runners, they do not seem bulky at all. Still getting used to new format and a busy weekend.

Quilters Dream Poly is nice for Table Runners.

I used regular batting so I could set a hot serving dish on one (that was made for protecting the table). I'm glad i read your post tho cause I hadn't thought about not needing that much thickness every time. Thanks

I've read that a good idea for table runner batting, especially one that might be used frequently, is to use thinsulate or a heat resistant batting.

Okay, now that you have way more opinions than you needed I will give you one more. I love Hobbs 80/20 fusible batt in my tablerunners. The fusible keeps them really flat for machine quilting. It is especially nice if your doing the french braid one where you start with a square in the middle and sew and flip the side pieces. I fuse the backing to the batt and the starting square first and sew and fuse the pieces as I go. It keeps everything in place, it's all quilted and all I have to do is trim and bind it.

I didn't see your question before this morning either...glad you asked it since my next project is going to be a Christmas Table Topper. I certainly don't want it poufy so I will buy cotton batting.

I was at a craft show on Saturday and only 1 person had quilted items; another person had sewn items...placemats etc. with no batting...I didn't care for the fabrics that she used...or the pattern. The quilt lady had a few full sized quilts, table runners, wallhangings and candle rugs. The candle rugs were not quilted they were large circles of felt with either felt gingerbread men or snowmen appliqued around the edge...kind of like a mini tree skirt. They were cute but I couldn't justify the price...$15.50 for one when she was selling a quilted wallhanging (18" X 36") for $7.50.

batting in your table runners is a personal choice- some people use batting---very thin---some prefer them to be flat- and simply use a layer of muslin- or a lightweight stablizer. i've made them both ways- and the one i made my mom with warm & natural---was not a good choice- when she washes it- it fluffs up- and is too thick for her liking- vases tend to tip over- a flatter thinner batting would be a much better choice....i suppose it depends on what table you are planning to use it on too. and the amount of seams in it- a batt will smooth the runner when there are alot of seams-
i have alot of lightweight single sided white flannel- i prewashed that and found it works nicely - gives some body- without (puffiness) but it is a personal choice- and the project itself should be part of the decision

I use Warm & Natural in the ones I made. Thin enough to protect the surface of the table, but not poofy enough to make lighter weight articles placed on it unstable.

I use my scraps from odd sized quilts that I have made - mostly warma nd natural -. I din't think no answers has anything to with the subject - but with the new format of the board - I spend more time looking for the areas I used to frequent - then just reading.

I don't use poly batting as I sometimes will use my table runner/placemats as trivets and I fear the poly melting and ruining my work.

I have also seen a pattern recently that had no batting at all. In fact I think there is a tut here - possibly called ten minute runner.

I use warm and natural. I save all my scraps from my quilts for this purpose.

I always use batting in my table runners...I like the Dream Cotton request for them...it is light weight, but enough to show any quilting and to be sturdy enough. I don't like a batting too thick for them, but never have made one without batting.

When I make tablerunners I use either flannel, that I prewash, or thin cotton batting. I like the really thin stuff for them.

I used warm n natural! It is thin, but looks nice, and has a little more stability than one without anything in it!

I've made them with thin cotton batting inside and quilted the runner and also made them with nothing inbetween. For me it was a different look depending on what was getting set on it. It's your runner you can make it however you choose and it will look just great

I've used either Warm and Natural or fusible felt.

I didn't see many quilted/sewn items either. Runners were going for $20-$25 and pillowcases were $8 each...or should I say "not going for"... nothing seemed to be selling, I think the economy is really slowing down the sales and the quality at the craft shows.

Well, BETTY62, I think you are correct! I've gotten a lot of helpful suggestions since I re-posted. Thanks to all!

I use Warm & Natural/White for everything I do. It gives a nice flat finish yet shows the quilting and is easy to hand quilt. Plus I like having the extra layer to absorb any moisture when I glass is put on it.

wow, those were really good prices if the fabric was nice. I put more money into them than that! It takes a yard of fabric for a pillowcase so at $10 a yard they were losing money..must have used much cheaper fabric!!!