Has anyone used the silk Batting? How is it for hand quilting?

Sorry I can't help you but does sound interesting....

I haven't used silk batting, but it is definitely a great batting for hand quilting! I was able to handle a cotton quilt with silk batting hand-quilted by Roxanne McElroy (author of That Perfect Stitch). It was very soft and, of course, light in weight. Silk was Roxanne's favorite batting for hand quilting, although too expensive at that time to use very often.

Mary

I have a friend who just LOVES silk batting. I won't use it though because silk deteriorates at a faster rate then cotton does. When I make a quilt, unless it is a baby quilt and made to be used frequently, my hope is that the quilt will last for generations. The last thing I want is to be in my 90's and discover the batting in my quilt has fallen apart and the quilt needs to be requilted. YIKES! My goal is to only have to make each of my quilts once. :lol: That is the same reason I use cotton thread when hand appliquing rather than silk thread. JMO.

Never used it, but it sounds interesting. Let us know how it works.

i won't have to worry about deterioration. the stuff is just too expensive for me to even consider. problem solved. :lol:

besides ... i live in Georgia. the ONLY natural fiber i use is COTTON. :lol:

I've also heard of a batting made from bamboo - or was I dreaming?

k x

From what I've heard, silk batting is YUMMY for hand quilting.

Yes, there is now bamboo batting. I've heard a few reviews from other longarmers, and they like it. My favorite is wool - it's like quilting through butter, and gives nice definition to your work.

Anyone got any experience of hand quilting wool, bamboo or silk? I currently use Hobbs 80/20 poly/cotton for bed quilts and cheaper poly for wall hangings but my OH is very sensitive (bless him!) to poly and says it makes him sweat (sorry, maybe too much info!)

I've just started a granny's flower garden, destined for our bed and it would be great to hear about natural battings for when I get to that stage;

K x

My girlfriend tried the bamboo and then got up in front of our local guild (150 ladies) and told them NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use it! She said it bearded up something fierce and was a nightmare. She does a lot of quilting and I figure I will heed her advice and avoid the frustration. I hate bearding when I am quilting! This is a bummer since bamboo is such an easily renewable resource. Hopefully over the next few years someone will fix the problem. If so, I'll give it a try then.

Wow, thanks Tiffany, sounds like you saved me a nightmare, I was going to try it, eco friendly and all that;

k x

That is why my girlfriend tried it, because it is eco-friendly. She sure wasn't happy though and Dee is one of the most mellow people I know. She saved me a lot of headaches too.

Good News about Silk Batting: the Hobbs Tuscany Collection Silk batting (10 percent polyester) is Made in TEXAS! with imported Silk. The seller on EBAY called Goods Fairy sells for a reasonable price with FREE SHIPPING, in contrast to equilter who charges the buyer for shipping.

I have heard that silk batting is a dream to handquilt through. The price is what keeps me from trying it. I use Bamboo when I can get it on sale. Some of the older ladies (80+) at the senior center didn't like it but since it was a donation they used it. The biggest problem I have with any batting is figuring out which side goes up.

OMG!!! Silk Batting is the (to die for) soft- drapable- needles beautifully- everything you would expect from any good silk product.

my first choice for hand work-
wool and bamboo batts also are wonderful to work with for hand projects.
dream orient is one of my favorite batts- if they were not so expensive all of my quilts would have them===but because of cost only the greatest quilts get them

I absolutely love the silk batting! It keeps you warn in the winter and cool in the summer without all the weight of the more traditional battings.

No, I haven't used it. Only felt it in the quilts of others. If I win the lottery, that is what I am splurging on for myself and my grown kids. That is if I ever buy a lottery ticket.

ali

I've used bamboo batting and haven't had a problem with bearding at all. There must be different quality of bamboo batting brands. I stock up on wool and silk batting every year at Paducah quilt show. It's so much cheaper at shows. And I use it for all hand quilting during the year. I buy a bolt of Warm and Natural cotton batting at Walmart for most of my quilts. I have some of every batting. When it's on sale I buy it. I don't care for the black batting.

Silk is stronger than steel. Don't be afraid to use SILK especially for batting/filling in your quilt . It will out last if it is silk without metals. Metals used before 1900 caused rotting the protein. Silk compared to cotton,wool,and synthetic is better for wear,warmth and age. Quilt study museum, Hudson,Michigan USA Velia Lauerman [email protected]

I had the opportunity to handle some silk batting at a show a couple of years ago. OMG! I would love to use it! As many have said, cost is an issue. I believe in natural fibers to the extent possible. I use W&N 100% (athough it probably isn't) cotton for all of my quilts. Natural fibers breath. Summer/winter, doesn't matter. I was researching parade uniforms at one point and the ladies in the group thought I was nuts for suggesting wool for summer parades. They are so sad they went with polyester pants later on. They are HOT! One of these days I'll get to use the silk.

You're not dreaming, I've used a Bamboo/Cotton blend and absolutely loved hand quilting with it. It washes up great too. I probably would not use a silk batting because it will not stand the test of time as well as cotton will.

Edited to add: The brand I used was Koyo or Koto?? All brands may not be equal. While I worked on my King sized quilt the batting did shed onto the outer fabric but once the quilting was finished and the borders were put on the batting did not come through the fabric it's self. It washed and dried beautifully in the machines. I had very little shrinkage. It's in that quilt in my avatar.

Its like running a hot knife through butter... just a absolute dream for handquilting.

Bamboo is an easy renewable resource but all the things they had to do to it to make it into batting, makes it actually a rayon and the process is terrible for the environment. Should google it and see what it says.

i don't understand the comment about silk deteriorating- since there are silk garments (quilted garments) in museums that are literally thousands of years old-
silk is stronger than cotton

the dream silk batting from the dream company is a wonderful batting- it drapes beautifully- feels so (silky soft) when working with it- needles wonderfully...is a dream
all of the batts from the dream company are a joy to work with- the dream orient (which is a silk/bamboo blend) is really great- dream wool (my favorite) the dream green, dream poly and yes even dream cotton are all great batts to use. just follow the recommendations on the package for quilting distances, and care instructions and you will not be disappointed.

Bamboo takes so much processing it is neither eco-friendly nor a natural fiber. After everything they have to do to it, its basically rayon.

I love silk batting. It is light in weight. I can machine quilt a king size quilt on a Bernina with out aching sholder and arms from moving quilt around. Silk is easier to stuff through the machine. Also, it is lighter on the bed.

That is my next question, how does it perform on a domestic sewing machine? I would be concerned that it would be too slippery and not adhere well to the fabrics in the sandwich. I pin baste, does that work? I will give it a try, it sounds lovely!

I was lucky to buy two huge silk filled comforters in China. We watched them spread the silk fibers and then encase thewhole thing in a cotton outer comforter cover. I got the king size one to take it apart and use the 6 pounds of silk for quilts but hasnt happened yet. We love to sleep under the silk. It does not settle into piles like down but stays in place and is light and warm.