I have always used W&N, but after reading on this board about using flannel, I tried it with a piece of an old flannel sheet I had. It worked great. Cheaper than using batting too!

I use thin batting or sometimes flannel that has been washed several times. In my table runners, placemats, and mug rugs don't want thickness. Worried about glasses tipping. BUT if you are making them....use what you want for batting. That's what's nice about quilting...some rules CAN be broken or bent.

Lots of us jus like to read posts but dont resond...no idea why. I've posted pic and have had 6,000+ views but only 100 replies.

Since this is going to be for my daughter and I really want her to USE IT, I think I will put some insulbrite and batting in it so she can put hot stuff on it. Does that stuff work really well for hot dishes? I would hate to ruin her new table...lol Something tells me I wouldn't make too many points with that...LOL

If I make a reversible one, like I want to, would I need to put Insulbrite on both sides? Not sure how that stuff works.

Thanks again everybody for your posts.

The fabric was name brand stuff that I've seen at the LQS...seemed like nice quality

I have just started trying to figure out this new QB - I had really become comfortable with the other one and bang - it is changed. I usually put warm and natural or Quilters Dream in my table runners. It is just enough for me (not so much to make it thick and things fall over but makes it nice and smooth on the table.

I prefer warm and natural as I can then put a hot dish on the runner without fear of scorching the table.

I have successfully used fleece as a backing for a table runner. It is soft, not too thick and is easily washed when someone drops something on it. It also means that you can stand a vase or similar on it without the vase being off balance. I have
kids about!

I always use batting in table runners It gives body to them

I have made seven star spin toppers. Because there are so many seams, I don't use batting. I QID these and they look. Beautiful so it depends ontherunner or topper.

I too like warm and natural for table runners. I like them with a little batting. They just don't feel right to me without any batting. JMHO

I use warm and natural batting, but the thin cotton one.

I don't think I would use polyester batting but something thinner. The flannel idea sounds great to me. You could even double it to make it a bit thicker but not bulky. Have fun making the runners.

Just saw you today too. I just finished a table topper and as I was thinking about it, I remembered I had lots of flannel from when I use to do rag quilts. So I used a light yellow flannel as my batting. I washed it and it seems fine. It isn't bulky and will be great on the table. I would rather save my cotton or wool batting for the cozy quilts we love.

I made a tablerunner last year and used warm and natural. It looked beautiful until I washed it and then it got the old fashioned puffy quilt look. So, I guess I have learned to quilt the heck out it; I think that was my probem. I have also made some recently with thinsulate and I hope that will be a good thing.

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just saw this now also. new board I can't get around. Well I have seen no batting tablerunners also. I think the ones with no batting are being made by sewers or crafters and not quilters. I use thin warm and natural. Less bulk.

Also just found this(I'm looking like a dog for a bone and can't remember where I buried it), but there is a pattern called 10 minute table runner that uses no batting. I use warm and natural(white) in mine. I like the white because it seems to be thinner and I don't want the bulk.

On table runners I use fusibile batting. It works really well. I don't use fusible on full size quilts, but on small projects I love it.

I like using either warm & natural (which I prefer prewashing by soaking, spinning and machine drying) or a type of batting called fleece as opposed to the fleece used for garments. Both are flat and seem to quilt nicely.

Sorry I didn't find this post before. I use insulbrite for table pieces because I tend to leave them on the table during meals...protects the table finish from hot bowls and sweaty glasses. Same insulbrite goes into my placemats and coasters.

I think it depends on the look you want, and the print. I recently made a runner using a poly bat. At first, I thought it was way too puffy, but after I quilted it, I liked it a lot.

How do I post a picture to a reply? Can't seem to find the magic "button".....

I have made several of the 10 minute table runners and have not used any batting. I do FMQ on each end and on the sides and like how they look. I am afraid the runner would be to "fluffy" if you used too much batting.

Suzag, I just learned about table runners and the question to bat or not to bat is once again a personal choice, so I was told. Some people like to put batting in to put hot plates on, others do not like the thickness of the batting and use the table runner as a decration on the table. SOoooo once again a round about answer. O the batting used you guessed it is personal choice also. I would think that if you want to use it for hot plate to be placed on you would use a thermal batting. Hope my answer helps. Happy quilting

I have used flannel on a few table runners, especially if they are more for "decoration" than use. If you want them to be used for hot items, batting and/or insulbrite would be better. And if you want them to look more "quilted" you'd need batting.

Sorry it took so long for me to see your post. I look at the "what's new" tab, but too often it is new entries on old threads. I would prefer to see new threads first, but haven't figured out how to do that.

I have used flannel in my table runners, but wasn't really happy with how thin it was. Now I use warm & natural and I'm much happier with it. I feel like I can actually set a hot serving dish on a runner with w&n and not worry that it will harm my table.

I don't think you can blame the new board for no or few responses. I had these same experiences on the old board. So many things are posted every hour that it only takes a few minutes and your topic no longer makes it on the first or second page of "recent posts". That is where I do most of my reading.

As far as batting in table runners, I like to use fleece. It has more body than flannel but not as much as warm and natural. Just my personal preference. I like the other ideas I've been reading here, too.

I personally like to put a low loft batting in mine. The first one I made years ago, the pattern didn't call for anything inside and everytime I look at it now, I think it looks sooooo flat...I like the look of batting or flannel inside. However, having said that, I do believe it is a personal choice. Don't worry about the Quilt Police...they are few and far between!!! LOL

I vote for having batting. My neighbor had one given to her that didn't have batting. She said every time she washes it, she has to press it to make it lay flat. The one she has that has batting just requires washing, drying and laying on the table with a little "hand pressing". I looked at borth of them and they were quilted with about the same density.

Ditto:thumbup:

I use Thinsulate batting. It sold on the bolt at walmart usually. But I know other stores have it.
I bought 2 bolts when our WM closed the fabric dept 3 years ago..so don't need to buy more yet, but I really love how it quilts up and lies FLAT...just LOVE it...

I have always used W&N in my table runners as don't want them to be too thick. I just found your thread and I believe that other will respond as soon as they figure out how to get to new threads.:)

I have been having so much trouble with the new format that I have not been reading anything, so of course no answers eitherI have made several table runners and toppers, and I always use cotton batting, whichever I have left from other projects.

BINGO! The Winner! That makes my decision...the ironing factor! Unless you are a crafter, a lot of people don't even have an iron anymore!

most of mine have warm and natural inside.I have some made from home dec fabric and I did not put any in them since the 2 layers of fabric was thicker.

I have used Hobbs 80/20 and liked the result

I use fusible in my tablerunners and placemats. I like the stiffness of it and it is easier than pinning the smaller pieces. I do not like it in quilts tho.

A friend just helped me get my settings right so I could find things. I have made several placemats and found that I like a very thin batting in them. I did two with no batting and they just didn't look right. I like Grand Flannel that is 60" wide and I get it at Hancock Fabric.

I use a very thin poly batting so when I quilt them they lay flat, any weight on them would settle evenly. I haven't figured out how to attach a pic yet so I could show you.

I use flannel.

I am a HUGE fan of Thermore for table runners; so much so that I always have a queen size in the cupboard. I make lots of runners and placemats for our big Craft Fair in December. It is very thin and drapes well if you wish to make a tablecloth. I order from Connecting Threads when they have a batting sale. For regular quilts though, I use Hobbs fusible.

Diana

I'm making table toppers this year, a pattern site from the board here, and am using up my batting scraps of warm and natural. I simple stitch the edges so it fits my shape and it's working fine. Clearing out my scraps and using them for a great project. You're right some use nothing, I just like a little body to the poject. Good luck.