So earth day got me to thinking about alternate fiber sources again. I've yet to do the hemp fabric though do plan to try once the prices come down just a wee bit.

Anyway, I saw bamboo batting at the quilt show and have thought about it ever since. Once again priced a bit out of my league, but wow was it soft stuff. I'm thinking it may be a nice alternative, like the hemp and natural cottons, but wonder if anyone has used it and could tell me more? Is it good for hand quilting?

http://www.beyondthereefpatterns.com/bamboo.html

I think what I heard about bamboo was that is has a scrim on it; that is, a thin layer that you could peel up that holds the fibers together. For that reason it might be harder to sew through then some others.

Yeah, I read about the scrim but wasn't quite sure what that meant. Thanks for the explanation. The lady at the show said it was easy to hand quilt but then again she was selling the stuff.

I also just found bamboo fabric on sale and am wondering how it quilts as well, any ideas? Cheaper than the hemp, but miss the prints:

http://www.hartsfabric.com/bamboofabric.htm

I've used only a small sample of it, didn't really think it was alot different using it for handwork. At guild the other evening a lady showed 2 quilts she'd just finished & said she found the bamboo had alot of "fluff" that floated around as she manouvered the quilt at the machine & she found it bothered her breathing. She said it didn't beard like some of the older craft poly batts but that the little pieces that floated were all stuck to the right sides of the quilt.

I bought some a while back but haven't used it yet - it is soooo soft, seems like the fibers are more like silk than cotton. The package warns of shrinkage and advises to pre-shrink by washing and drying before using.

I have heard stories about it being a natural antibacterial, and great for folks with allergies. I guess that only applies once it is inside the quilt. It's not cheap though - I used a 50% off coupon to bring a queen size down to my price range.

like your ideas steve...hmmm...hemp, suppose if you can stomache the smell, what do you think? :)

I've never quilted with bamboo batting so I couldn't tell you how well it quilts. I've heard that its anti-bacterial and eco-friendly since bamboo is a very renewable source....that's about it.

On the subject of alternative fiber sources, Keepsake Quilting sells one called EcoCraft Eco-Friendly Batting. Its a 50/50 blend of cotton and PLA (made from corn). Personally, I don't know how well it quilts. It says it offers the performance of synthetics and the peace-of-mind of natural fibers. Soft, durable...hand or machine quilted up to 4" intervals. These are what the prices are:

Crib: $8.99
Twin: $19.99
Full: $23.99
Queen: $27.99

Interesting, I'm glad eco-friendly sources are being examined. It's funny but I think for 'my quilt', when it happens, is going to be an eco quilt, out of GP.

Honestly, if they'd figure a way to work it into my budget, they'd all be eco quilts (well 'maybe' if there were a print or two too to boot).

Still cotton is soft as a bunnies tail and most affordable, so what's to do?

I'm toying with the idea of ordering up a bit of the bamboo fabric just to try it (yes I will report). Some of the cottons I've bought are as expensive anyway. :roll:

an [allegedly] eco-friendly product isn't helping anything unless everybody can afford it. the label is a marketing ploy that plays on misplaced guilt to sucker bigger wads of cash out of your pocket.

if hemp and bamboo fabric & batting start to sell big, they'll just slash and burn acres of old forest to clear land in developing countries for planting more of them. people are already going hungry so the wealthy can feed their chi-chi ethanol cars. do you really want to add to that cycle?

the "to do" list is easy. worry less. read ALL the reports - not just the hysterical hype being shoved down our throats by the Chicken Littles who care more about their own agendas than they do the long term benefits, causes & effects, and the truth.

bicycle, car-pool, public mass-transportation if they're available and practical in your area. and buy what still makes the most sense for your quilts, your budget and the planet. which is still [preferably] cotton, but poly if that's what fits your budget best.

I was curious about the bamboo batting too. Somewhere along the line I heard that it is not so eco friendly because of the amount of energy it takes to process.

How much truth in that-I don't know but worth checking into if you are using it for that reason.