KarylMc

Here's my question...
Do you use flame retardant fabrics/batting when making quilts for babies?

I wouldn't have even THOUGHT of this, but saw an ad for flame retardant batting.
Seems like if the fabric wasn't flame retardant it wouldn't really matter.
I use 100% cotton fabric.

Getting ready to make a quilt for a soon-to-be-born grandchild and now am wondering what the best thing to do is..

and can you even GET flame retardant fabrics??

Thanks!

grammy17

That is a good question.

nativetexan

somewhere. there are even mattresses and sofas, etc that are flame retardant. cost a lot more i'm sure.

amma

The government mandates that sleepwear be close fitting and fire retardant... not blankets/quilts/sheets So you could probably find some fabric that is, but it probably isn't 100% cotton :D:D:D

Cybrarian

Sorry I don't have the answers you're seeking, but I did realize something. Have watched many quilt shows that have shown baby quilts or have commented on how a certain pattern could also be used as a baby quilt and no one has mentioned flame retardant material or batting. Shows such as Fons & Porter, Sewing with Nancy, Kaye Woods etc. Seems if this was very common it would be discussed on shows like this. I could have missed it I guess.

Mattee

Flame retardants are added to many of the products we purchase. It is mandated by law. I would be surprised if anyone on the board who has purchased a couch in the last twenty years has one without flame retardants in the cushions. Manufacturers are required to put them in childrens sleepware. You, as a private citizen are not required to do so.

I prefer to use materials that do not contain the flame retardants. I wish I could purchase furniture without them. They are toxic, and I think it's debatable how helpful they really have been. Studies have shown PBDE's (one very common class of flame retardant) showing up in breast milk, which isn't surprising considering the toxic load that we all carry in our bodies.

Sorry, off my high horse now...I wouldn't use them unless you really want to. I can't imagine why you would want to, though, unless your grandchild plays with matches.

Up North

The SIDS foundation recommends that babies sleep with nothing in their crib except a tight fitting sheet and on their backs if a blanket is used it should be tucked under their arms to avoid crib death please when you are making beautiful quilts for babies keep in mind they are more for tummy time on the floor a a wrap to get to the car in cold weather. Let us not loose a precious child because we want them to sleep with the beautiful quilt. Fire retardant is not necessary for these.
Ok I will get off my soapbox now too!

KarylMc

Well, first, my grandchild isn't even born yet, so playing with matches is doubtful for a long time. Plus, it was really not about mischief with matches, but about the unplanned house fire that make me even ask this question.
I agree totally about chemicals, and had planned 100% cotton quilt because that is all I have worked with.
Then I read the ad about flame retardant batting, and of course know that purchased children's sleepwear is flame retardant.
So wondered if this was an issue that I had somehow missed. And wondered what others do.

littlehud

I make mine with cotton fabric and regular batting.

Prism99

I would not buy flame-retardant batting for a baby quilt.

Flame-retardant fabrics are mandated for the sale of loose-fitting children's sleepwear because a single layer of cotton, as in a child's nightgown or loose PJs, is exposed to air on both sides, making it highly combustible (engulfing a child in flames within 10 seconds of ignition). A quilt is not highly combustible in this way because of its thickness.

Blankets, for example, do not ignite in the way that draperies do in movie scenes. The draperies are exposed to air on both sides, plus they are hanging, so flames can quickly climb up them. A mattress, in contrast, may smolder for hours because of lack of air to feed the fire.