batting from Oaklee Quilting Supply
 

Has anyone ever used batting from Oaklee Quilting Supply? They seem to have very good prices on their batting and shipping is also very reasonable - you can get a 60 yd roll of 60" polyster batting for $82, or a 25 yd roll of 96" polyster batting for $62. Since I mostly make quilts to give away, this seems very reasonable for me. Can anyone tell me how it is?

I haven't tried that batting. Perhaps you could ask the company to send you small sample? The web site calls it "econo batting" and says it's "ideal for mission quilts." This may just be my interpretation, but it sounds like they're saying it's not very good, but it's good enough for a charity quilt. Not a very nice sentiment IMHO, and it could very well be a reasonably good quality batting.

That's a great idea to ask for a sample. Let us know what you find after you receive it. Or if you don't!

Jan in VA

My mother used the 60 inch econo batting from OKLEE QUILTING, Oklee, MN for 40 plus years. She made hundreds of quilts for family as well as charity quilts. The family quilts are still being used and loved. I have used this batting when making "tied" quilts, but would not recommend it for machine quilting.

I am not sure if I understand why anyone would use a different batting for a gift or a charity quilt. I consider ALL my quilts as gift to someone no matter if I sell them or gift them to someone I know or a strange thru organizations. I was taught by Harriet Hargrave to buy the best you can afford for fabric and batting. If I give a charity quilt thru an organization, I don't want it to start falling apart in a few years later. Just something to think about. We should take great pride in our workmanship and giving to others that may be in need.

The Oklee company sells more than one weight of batting, but their 60" Econo batting is perfect for Lutheran World Relief quilts, which are mostly sent overseas to refugee and disaster situations. I have used their batting, and I would say that its only drawback might be a slight unevenness in thickness and an occasional presence of a slug (or whatever you call a tiny thick bump). This is of little or no consequence in mission quilts. These quilts are used for warmth, shade, mats to cover a dirt floor, or sometimes room dividers for privacy. They may be washed a lot or not washed at all. They are not meant to be heirlooms or last for generations. They are made for a specific purpose in survival situations. There is a shipping expense and specifications for dimensions of 60" x 80", and this comes from years of experience in "mission" situations by that organization.

In the geographic area around Oklee, MN, there are many Lutheran sewing groups making quilts for Lutheran World Relief, and that company has for years provided batting that meets the need for a reasonable price. You may visit LWR.org to learn more about the quilt ministry. A sewing group may choose to use a higher quality batting, but then they would not be able to afford to make the quantity needed for distribution to folks who need the quilts around the world.