I always did but recently found a few patterns that don't. Store bought ones don't have batting so I'm thinking I could skip that step. What do you do? May in Jersey

if i don't use a thin batt in my table toppers i use an extra layer of fabric (usually white flannel) in them. i made a table cloth without anything in the center one time...and just really feel like they need a little more body than that so i put something inside. it depends on how much piecing is in the top though. i've found if it is a project with LOTS of blocks/seams/little pieces i use either a batt or flannel...it helps to make those seams not show through on the back but if it has large plain squares...not many seams then it's not so necessary. i did make my mom a runner i used warm & natural in and she was unhappy when she washed it...it was too much batting...puffed up like we love in quilts. a thin poly works better.

I have found that i like using white fleece better than batting. It doesn't bunch or shift.

After buying a runner kit at Novi and inside was iron interfacing I now use this and love it.
Gale

The last one I sewed up I used white flannel, it gives the piece some substance and yet it does not feel as heavy as a quilt. I like it, too.

I use the fleece that comes on a bolt. I use it for mini quilts and doll quilts too.

I use flannel and like the way it has a little something for body. The warm and natural was too much for me.

Great idea, I'm going to start using that instead of my warm and natual.

I use warm and natural/white and love the feel of it.

I use the fleece from a bolt as well. I use my 40% off Joanns and buy several yards (cheap). Washes well, easy to quilt, lays flat but with some body.

I was making a Christmas Tree Skirt and the instructions suggested using felt as this gave a lovely feel to the finished item. As felt on the roll is prohibitively expensive here, I bought some white fleece.

It is an absolute joy to use and the skirt did not need to be quilted at all as a result. i would certainly use this for table runners in future and probably would not use any backing fabric either.

I love your table runner.

Thanks gals for the input. I don't have any flannel or thin poly batting handy so I'll use a double thickness of the backing fabric for the topper that needs to be mailed this weekend. Have 2 more toppers in the works so I'll see if I can get some white/light flannel and/or thin batting at Joann's later today. May in Jersey

I use warm and natural but preshrink it for use in table runners. I have used poly felt , and fussible fleece. The fusible fleece just got too pricey. The poly felt works great but I do not always have it on hand.

I usually use the bamboo batting. It is expensive but works up nicely. Had not considered fleece. Cheaper than bamboo batt so will try it with my next tablerunner. I use batting for some body in the runner. Makes it look nicer.

I've just made one...I used insulbrite so it gives a bit of protection (I hope) for the table if it's used for hot dishes

Nice idea.

I like to use thin fleece (on the bolt in the batting area) and flannel.. however flannel always seems more expensive than the thin fleece.
I have also used the thick muslin for batting as well.

Having said that, I'm not fond of high loft quilts at all so I try to go as thin as I can.
I don't go without as you can see through them if you don't and I don't like to see the backing on the front - especially for table runners and place mats as I try to make them double sided for double duty ;)

My friends and I use Thermore, it so soft and hand quilts like butter!

The last tablerunners that I made, I put a poly batting in them, it was too thick for my liking but all that I had on hand at the moment. I have plenty of flannel on hand and will make sure to use that next time. I like just a little weight to the runners.

I always fold mine up out of the way if its just me and hubby sitting down to the table. If I have company, I remove it completely. I don't want anything spilled on it!!

A placemat pattern that I used recently suggested using muslin for the "batt". I adds a bit of substance to the piece but is easy to launder. Usually the price is right, too!

I made two tablerunners for Christmas gifts this week, and was out of batting. We're low on funds right now, so I started poking around in my stash to see what else might work. I had some flannel (pre-washed), so I used it. Very happy with how they turned out! It added some substance to them, but they're not overly poofy. Super-easy to quilt on my regular machine, too. I'll probably use flannel again next time, even if I have batting onhand. :mrgreen:

I always use Insulbrite so hot things can be put on them and then spray them with Scotch guard fabric spray to protect from spills They wash up wonderful.

Glad to hear so many of you use flannel, I do also. Was able to buy 10 yards of white at Joanne's on Black Friday. Hope that is enough for this year as I took the NO FABRIC pledge,

Jeannette in NJ, USA

I usually use a very thin cotton batting inside, or if I happen to be out of that, a layer of white flannel works.

Joann's has quilted solids that i love for table toppers & place mats.
Easy & durable.

I would use batting of some sort in case you need to sit something warm/hot on the table. I keeps the heat from damaging the surface of the table.

I love this Christmas table runner. The randomly placed squares remind me of everyone scurrying around at this holiday season.

Your no fabric pledge is exactly my New Year's Resolution as I was trying to rearrange too large a stash to find a particular color combo last evening. Hope we can stick to it.

I use light weight batting, felt, double layers of flannel or iron-on interfacing. Much of it depends on the type runner it is whether season or otherwise. I like the batting best anduse Elmer's spray adhesive to hold sections in place. When washed, it dissolves. Just a little messy but with practice have learned to keep in off my hands.

I've used flannel and left over fusible batting...thin. Just gives a little more umph. BUT since it just sits on the cooking island, think going forward, maybe won't but anything inside. Just love the spash of color they add to my kitchen.

My friend said she sprays her table runners with a fabric protection spray so the spills will wash away. May in Jersey

Me too. On my To Do List for 2011 are several scrap quilts made only from my stash. A while ago I bought about 10 yards of muslin at 50% off and plan to use it as the background fabric for the quilts. That should keep me plenty busy in the new year. May in Jersey

Thanks so much for all these suggestions! I'd been using Warm and Natural because I didn't know about all these options.

What a great idea!

my mom started using interfacing... we both got bolts of it when it was super cheap one day at joann's. I haven't tried it yet though.

Yes, I do. I am a traditionalist! If it isn't a puffy, it isn't a "quilt!!" :)

I use Warm and Natural because it is cotton. Sometimes, I will put a candle jar or a candle on a candle plate on the runner and feel safer with the cotton batting. I do like the feel of it.

I bought the same kit in Novi at the Sewing Expo. I have made several for different holidays. I agree, fusible interfacing is great.