cmputerdazed

sandwiches for practice?

gale

I use the same thing that I use in all of my quilts-warm and natural. I tried hobb's 80/20 and didn't like it. It seemed like it wanted to stretch. I always end up with a lot of small pieces of batting from trimming them for quilting so I use those for practice. If you want this type and don't have any small pieces, I can send you a few.

gale

btw I don't free motion but I've practiced on small quilt sandwiches. I also use them to practice straight line, especially when checking for tension, stitch length, etc.

Dina

I also use Warm and Natural. I like it because you can let your quilting be as much as ten inches apart. I seem to prefer stitch in the ditch, and even though I have never let my stitching be more than 8 inches apart, I like knowing that I could.

I tried polyester batting and didn't like it because sometimes it poked through when I stitched and I'd have white fibers sticking out.

Dina

KSellers

This was just addressed in another thread today. I use sheets and blankets (for batting) that I buy at estate/garage sales. They have ended up being nice quilts to donate to a pet shelter, In face my daughter begged me for one of them.

LynnVT

I've used Hobbs and liked it, or W&N. Just finished my first big quilt with wool and just love it! I save the strips you cut off after quilting to use for small items or to practice. If you have a friend with a longarm, she might have some extra bits left over for practice. Try different kinds and see what you like best for different kinds of projects.

MadQuilter

I'm a Warm Company girl. Warm and Natural, Warm and White, and my recent new favorite Warm Blend. I have also used Hobbs 80/20 but it is not my favorite. Since I buy mine off the roll at Joann when they have a sale, I always have end-pieces left over to cut down for practice.

ManiacQuilter2

I have always used Hobbs 80/20 for over two decades. Back in the old days, Warm & Natural actually had tiny pieces of wood embedded in it. I find that W&M is denser and heavier in weight. Hobbs gives a slight puff to the quilt.

Sandwiches are a good ideal. Before quilting, I always use one to make everything is correct. Keep your quilting simple and gradually work into the more difficult designs. Harriet Hargrave has a really good book called Heirloom Machine Quilting. Good Luck !!

quilttiger

If I had money to burn, I would use wool batting; it is like quilting through butter. I use it just for my family. Otherwise, I like Warm & Natural and 20/80 (brand does not matter).

Scraplady

For practice I use scraps of whatever batting I have on hand (usually Warm & Nat. or Hobbs Heirloom Fusible). I often use muslin and felt to try out a new design. Having said that, I always do a warm-up before tackling any quilt, using the same backing and batting I'm going to be using in the actual quilt. My favorite batting is White Rose or Cream Rose by Mountain Mist, I love the softness and it has such a nice drape. It is harder to find and more pricey so I usually default to Warm & Nat or Warm & White.