first...batting, warm and natural is a good batting but there are lots of others. the thing you have to watch when choosing your batting is ... ON THE PACKAGE IT WILL TELL YOU THIS BATTING SHOULD BE QUILTED __________ THIS FAR APART...not all are created equal, some you need to quilt every 2" some you have 10" ... the density of your quilting will effect how (stiff) your finished quilt will be...less is better when you want soft...(the separation of batting occurs when it should have been quilted every 2" and is quilted every 8" instead...you have to quilt as heavily as your batting requires to have good lasting results)
difference between flannel & fleece? FLEECE IS POLYESTER. cotton flannel is cotton...low quality flannel will (pill), good quality flannel will hold up to many washings. both are soft and great to work with. for warmth i use wool battings. dream wool does not shrink, has great loft, breaths, is nice and warm.
i have made quilts with cotton pieced tops, wool batting and a luscious soft flannel back... beautiful!!!
i also have one with a curly/minkee back that people love. there are some very elegant looking wonderful minkee's out there...they are very expensive.
about the egyptian cotton...it will stay nice and (crisp) like a good quality cotton sheet fresh off the line.
i use a low-loft (inexpensive) batting in wall hangings, helps with definition when quilting. lots of people use fusable batting for wallhangings.if you do not want to use batting just a layer of flannel works well too; just make sure it's been pre-washed, flannel shrinks alot at first.
about the fusable grid (I LOVE THIS STUFF!) when i had to join 2 pieces i cut each piece with the grid lines, cutting off about 1/2" of one side of the squares, cut the next one with an extra l1/2" so they would line up correctly, then i ran a line of paper tape down it (on the non-fusable side); after i fused the fabric squares to the grid the tape did not matter anymore, but i just left it.
good luck with your projects
Originally Posted by ArtisticDesign
I need guidance. I have a few ( ok, a lot..lol) of questions on some projects I am trying to get done as christmas gifts and I THANK any of you more experienced quilters for any help...
Project One: I am am making a really special friend a throw quilt..I have spent a lot of time picking fabrics etc.. I do know that she gets cold easily..And loves "cuddely soft" blankets..
My question is about batting and backing. My first quilt that I just finished making is rather stiff and not to cuddly/soft feeling even after washing...I had used a poly 20%/cotton blend, med loft batting..I used reg fabric ( that felt soft in the store) as my backing... It also does not keep me very warm.
I have heard a lot about a brand I think is called "warm and natural" 100% cotton. I do know cotton breathes = keeps you warm when its cold yet cool when it's warm?.. I have also heard some bad things about using 100% cotton batting (separating etc..) However, this brand seems to keep popping up...*Your thoughts?
As for the soft cuddly feel. Anyone have suggestions on this?.. My first thought was to use flannel or fleece as backing..However, the quilt will not be bold/bright in color..The fabrics have a more elegant feel to them..I don't want to ruin that effect..But, would if I had to choose soft over pretty lol
*And what is the difference between flannel vrs fleece?..Does one pick up lint worse than the other. etc?
*I've also thought about using an Egyptian cotton sheet for the backing..Has anyone done this?
Project Two: A Wall Hanging for my son..*** Do you need to use batting for a wall hanging?..
*I will also be using 2" fusible grid as my design wall...If a yard of the fusible grid is not large enough...How do you connect more yrdge to make it larger without ruining the grid pattern? Sewing, ironing?
Project Three: Thankfully, will be easy..Hubby just wants a camo quilt ( he camps a lot = thinks hes rambo lol) He wants only one pattern/fabric on the front(cotton camo design)- the back( solid colored flannel). I was like, why not just buy a camo blanket? lol..But, I think he just wants something I make..However, he does love snoopy so I bought a snoopy applique to sneak into a corner lol.
*I am having a hard time finding the old army camo design( new one looks digital) in cotton or flannel..I did find five yrds (cotton) on ebay for 8$/yrd ( good price?)..*Anyone have a good resource for this? My joanns only had two designs, one the green was lime instead of army green.The other was cartoonish looking, ugh.
Thanks for any help guys! (smile)
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