Polyester batting, is it ok to use?
#31
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Central Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Posts: 7,695
I usually use poly batting because I can find it, or can afford it. That said, I have used fleece in small quilts, and I have even used polyester felt, for the batting in a table cloth I embroidered, so that it would be extra flat so glasses would not wobble on it. Still using it twelve years later.
#34
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Posts: 8,291
Fleece makes a great batting. I've used it in many quilts, charity and not charity. I have both spray basted/not spray basted before putting the quilt sandwich on the frame to machine quilt. It turns out fine. I've only had a wrinkle on the back of a quilt once. I think it happened because the tension of the quilt on the frame was off.
I can give you no advice on which batting is best for hand quilting because I've never hand quilted. If you plan to quilt on your dsm, I recommend that you pin baste heavily - otherwise the fleece does shift all over the place.
It's nice to have the fleece for a number of reasons: It comes in 60" widths. Most of the quilts I make are more than 40" but less than 60", so I can use it on most of the quilts I make. It drapes really well, and the quilt feels softer than when cotton or polycotton is used. It comes in at least 2 weights and the lighter weight is extremely lightweight for use in baby or toddler quilts. The lighter weight makes it easier for a little one to drag around and love to tatters!
For larger quilts I use cotton or poly/cotton blend. That works fine, too.
I can give you no advice on which batting is best for hand quilting because I've never hand quilted. If you plan to quilt on your dsm, I recommend that you pin baste heavily - otherwise the fleece does shift all over the place.
It's nice to have the fleece for a number of reasons: It comes in 60" widths. Most of the quilts I make are more than 40" but less than 60", so I can use it on most of the quilts I make. It drapes really well, and the quilt feels softer than when cotton or polycotton is used. It comes in at least 2 weights and the lighter weight is extremely lightweight for use in baby or toddler quilts. The lighter weight makes it easier for a little one to drag around and love to tatters!
For larger quilts I use cotton or poly/cotton blend. That works fine, too.
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New England
Posts: 865
I use polyester batting in charity quilts all the time. It quilts well if you pin baste closely enough (every 4 inches or so), washes well, is warm, handles well. I sometimes use the high loft and, if so, tie those quilts.
#40
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 10,357
For non-heirloom type quilts I have used polyester batting, fleece, old mattress protectors, sheets, really ugly fabric....if it sits around for a while and is big enough...it's fair game for this quilter. No dramas so far and haven't had much difficulty quilting (by machine that is). I will even use this kind of batting for placemats and table-runners....anything that is used and washed a lot.
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