Any thrifty ideas for quilt batting substitutions?
 

I like re-purposing anytime possible. I have just finished a quilt top and want to put it together tomorrow. I don't want to spend anymore $$$ and was looking for ideas other than normal batting. In my last quilt I used a very old and tattered quilt as the center (made a very thick and heavy quilt). I don't have any others to use right now, but I read online an idea of using old mattress pads. I have several thick padded ones that I can use, but I was wondering if anyone else has tried this...

I used an old flannel sheet for batting once. Since the top and backing were also flannel, it made a fairly heavy and warm quilt.

I don't see why it wouldn't work, assuming the center hasn't worn thin. Now you've got me thinking. I seem to remember a couple of mattress pads I put away when we got rid of the kids' twin beds.

Yes, old mattress pads work fine as long as they aren't "plastic" in the middle.

If the centre has worn turn it outside edge to middle. ( cut up the middle then sew the sides together) . I have used an old blanket in desperation. It was heavier than wadding.

Fleece makes a great wadding, if you can find a source of cheap offcuts - light and warm.

Mattress pads would work for batting. I've used parts of mattress pads for batting for smaller projects, after the mattress pad wore out (developed holes).

Grandma used old blankets between her tied quilts.

I used an old mattress pad when I made a table sized ironing pad. The difficulty with doing things like this is that your quilt may be uneven in density, although for table runners, an old flannel sheet works quite well. I sometime make a 2 layer quilt with a fleece backing.

Don't forget about shopping at thrift stores. My Aunt used to buy wool army blankets and use them for batting.

I have used flannel many times. Today I'm finishing up a quilt that has a pieced top, flannel, then minkee backing.

I have also used fleece for batting. Grew up in a very hot climate and my grandmother used sheets for batting. She also used sheets for backing too.

I have also made quilts without batting. On those they either had fleece or minkee backings. I don't like a thick batting when I use a heavy backing.