I just can't believe my eyes with this batting.
#41
wow, this is all nice to know, so glad you shared this! I usually use warm and nataural because I like the way the needle glides thru it and it has no lumps or thin spots like the poly I first tried. I'm still learning tho so this has
been very interesting! thank you for sharing!
been very interesting! thank you for sharing!
#42
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Dallas area, Texas, USA
Posts: 3,050
It does seem as if the cotton just dissolved, but that's over 250 washings. It's a little surprising that any part of it survived. I would say it served its purpose well enough. Maybe you can help your friend decide that a handmade quilt isn't the thing to use in this way. I guess your friend appreciated it if she's hoping to have it restored, but perhaps if you want to be generous you could make a little wall hanging out of the best part of this and suggest (or give her) a Walmart quilt for the dogs. It would not be worth your trouble or expense to make something that is going to be put through this kind of wear and tear.
#44
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: England Alton Towers
Posts: 6,673
Just retread original post. Why didn't the dog think it was a toy before now. If she has had it for 5years it sounds as if some smell that the dog detected happened in the quilt. What did you do just before. The dog chewed. New washing powder or something . Even a new aerosol could cause problem. My youngest dog is having medication the first given by vet no problem, second was you must have this. She is back on the first and jumps up to have it as. If it is a sweet. Smell is all we can think is different.
#46
This is what I heard a long time ago: When you wash and dry your quilts in a regular washing machine and dryer, you age your quilts 10 years. She washed it every week. Cotton doesn't take the washing as well as polyester, so this doesn't surprise me. When you wash a quilt you should do it in your bathtub, no twisting, and hang it over 4 clothes lines to dry out of the sun. The detergent you use needs to be mild and not too much. I know someone is going to be mad at me for my comment. I had a girlfriend who got a beautiful star quilt made by a wonderful native american, it was tied, not quilted, and she washed it every week. The 1/4 inch seams couldn't take it either and it fell apart. My friend was blaming the lady who made it but really it was washing it all the time, so I looked it up about the care of a quilt and that washing and drying it in regular machines is the worst thing you can do to a quilt.
#47
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
My back wouldn't take washing a quilt in a bathtub. It works just as well to use a top-loading washer; just do not allow any agitation. Fill washer with water and soap, stop machine, add quilt, agitate by hand pushing down on the quilt, advance switch to spin, spin out wash water, fill with rinse water, stop machine, agitate by hand, advance switch to spin, and spin out rinse water.
Aside from being easier on the back, this method has the advantage of getting more water out of the quilt before handling. Water is very heavy and puts a lot of stress on stitching and seams.
Instead of hanging on clotheslines, where water weight adds to stress, I advocate laying out in the shade on top of a sheet, covering with another sheet (to protect against errant bird droppings), and anchoring with rocks.
Aside from being easier on the back, this method has the advantage of getting more water out of the quilt before handling. Water is very heavy and puts a lot of stress on stitching and seams.
Instead of hanging on clotheslines, where water weight adds to stress, I advocate laying out in the shade on top of a sheet, covering with another sheet (to protect against errant bird droppings), and anchoring with rocks.
#48
I have also made a dog quilt...two actually for our American Bulldog grand dog. Both are rag quilts with the frayed edges. They have been washed weekly and they are still intact after ten years for one and five for the other. I did repair the top and backing on the first one as the fabric became worn on it, but not the batting. Now I will tell you that I used Warm and Natural batting and it held up beautifully. I think the skrim and the fairly close meander made all the difference.
#49
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 45
I also think the problem is that this was a traditional 100% cotton batting without scrim. This type of batting is meant to be quilted every 2". When that is done, washing every week is not a problem. I had a chance to examine one of my crib quilts 20 years after I made it, and it was washed *frequently* in the machine. The binding was worn in places, but the quilt itself was soft as a cloud; the batting simply got softer with each washing.
Tied quilts really benefit from a cotton batting that is needlepunched through scrim (such as Warm and Natural). These battings say that quilting lines can be up to 10" apart because the batting will hold its shape.
Tied quilts really benefit from a cotton batting that is needlepunched through scrim (such as Warm and Natural). These battings say that quilting lines can be up to 10" apart because the batting will hold its shape.
#50
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
There are pros and cons to each type of batting. Warm and Natural is very good for tied quilts because it is needlepunched through scrim, which makes it very stable. I haven't used it in years because I prefer a more traditional cotton quilt look. My favorite batting is Mountain Mist Blue Ribbon, which is 100% cotton that is not needlepunched and does not have a scrim. However, MM is not suitable for tied quilts and needs to be quilted 2" apart. Warm and Natural, in contrast, can be tied or quilted up to 8 or 10" apart.
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09-17-2011 09:45 AM