Hi Ya'll, another newbie here
10-08-2019, 10:57 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 1
Hi Ya'll, another newbie here
So glad I found this forum! I have never quilted in my life and for whatever reason I've decided it's something I need to do. I'm sure I'm going to have ton of questions - So thanks in advance for your support.
I have been doing a lot of research and I think I have almost everything I need to start my first quilt. The one thing I can't figure out is... How do you know which batting to use?
My first quilt will be a simple fence rail pattern, I'm using flannel but can't figure out the best batting. I'm considering using fusible fleece to help reduce stretching the fabric. Would love to hear your opinions.
Thanks everyone, I'm looking to forward to my new adventure
I have been doing a lot of research and I think I have almost everything I need to start my first quilt. The one thing I can't figure out is... How do you know which batting to use?
My first quilt will be a simple fence rail pattern, I'm using flannel but can't figure out the best batting. I'm considering using fusible fleece to help reduce stretching the fabric. Would love to hear your opinions.
Thanks everyone, I'm looking to forward to my new adventure
10-08-2019, 11:54 AM
#3
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,467
Welcome from Ontario, Canada. It depends on the loft you want and how you are quilting it. A high loft polyester batt is harder to push through a regular sewing machine. I like to use 80/20 batt if I am quilting it myself. I have never used fusible fleece so I can’t give an opinion.
10-08-2019, 12:33 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 775
That gave me pause, (the fusible fleece thing) so I Googled it and guess what? It came back to this previous thread on here - ha!
fusible fleece
BTW - 'for whatever reason' is a great reason to try quilting! Hope you have fun!
fusible fleece
BTW - 'for whatever reason' is a great reason to try quilting! Hope you have fun!
10-08-2019, 02:37 PM
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Waterford Michigan
Posts: 7,241
Welcome to the QB from SE Michigan! You will discover a host of very knowledge people here. Expert and new quilters and every one in between. Ask any questions you have. There is always someone who can come up with an answer. As far as batting it is pretty much you choice. Be sure to pre-wash the flannel. That being said you may want to go with something that is a low bat like Warm and Natural. It feels right, IMHO, when used with flannel. I will use a poly bat when I want more dimension to a quilt. I do want to see this rail fence when you get it done or while you are working on it. Happy quilting.
10-08-2019, 02:51 PM
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,073
Welcome aboard!
Do wash the flannel first, if you are using strong colors I'd also put in a dye magnet/color catcher so you can see how much (if any) dye is cast off. Personally, I don't like working with flannel but I didn't realize that for a long time. Finishing up a donation quilt now that is reminding me of this...
I personally prefer a higher loft poly batting than warm and natural. The W&N is very easy to work with but to me very heavy. I also prefer less quilting than is currently popular, part of that is personal taste and part of it is ability -- I just don't think in that way. We have some great quilters here, however, who can do miraculous things with top by the glory of their work.
I decided as a senior in high school that I wanted to quilt, I don't come from a family of quilters. It was just something I wanted to do and have been doing it for some 40 years now, but I am always learning and improving. I'm self taught and unfortunately have learned many hard lessons I am willing to share or commiserate with.
So it's your first quilt and full of things to learn. Have fun along the way. I've gotten close but I've never had a perfect quilt, there is always a problem or something I would change, even if no one knows/sees them but me. Other than having fun, I think "there's always next time!" are the best advice I have
Do wash the flannel first, if you are using strong colors I'd also put in a dye magnet/color catcher so you can see how much (if any) dye is cast off. Personally, I don't like working with flannel but I didn't realize that for a long time. Finishing up a donation quilt now that is reminding me of this...
I personally prefer a higher loft poly batting than warm and natural. The W&N is very easy to work with but to me very heavy. I also prefer less quilting than is currently popular, part of that is personal taste and part of it is ability -- I just don't think in that way. We have some great quilters here, however, who can do miraculous things with top by the glory of their work.
I decided as a senior in high school that I wanted to quilt, I don't come from a family of quilters. It was just something I wanted to do and have been doing it for some 40 years now, but I am always learning and improving. I'm self taught and unfortunately have learned many hard lessons I am willing to share or commiserate with.
So it's your first quilt and full of things to learn. Have fun along the way. I've gotten close but I've never had a perfect quilt, there is always a problem or something I would change, even if no one knows/sees them but me. Other than having fun, I think "there's always next time!" are the best advice I have
10-08-2019, 03:11 PM
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 5,546
Howdy from Texas! So glad you have decided that you need to make a quilt. This is the board to come to for answers. I agree with the above posts....wash your flannel first. As for batting, I think it depends on how you like your quilt....low loft batting will be less "puffy" than high loft batting. Polyester batting dries a lot faster after washing. We love pictures & want to watch you as you make your first quilt. Will you be able to post progress pictures for us? When posting pictures, you have to reduce them to be accepted. Just play around with reducing until you get the right size that this board accepts.
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