Batting from thrift stores.
 

I stopped by the SA thrift store and an estate sale on impulse and picked up 5 mattress pads. Brought them home and washed in hot water then tossed into a hot dryer. Removed the trim/elastic and only paid $5 for all of it. 2 of the pads are king size and the others are queen. Another impulse use to put between a sheet and light blanket for the coldest couple nights we've had in a long time. Toasty to the point hubs kicked his feet out up to his knees. Will get the seam ripper out when I'm ready to use them. These are cotton/polyester. I now have a total of 6 pads to reuse for batting.

Thank you so much for sharing this idea that I would have never thought of doing! I make quilts for kids who have just aged out of foster care and sometimes the places they rent are old, drafty and cold. This will help lower my costs so I can make more quilts. I also have a friend who's church does denim quilts for the homeless shelter and I can't wait to ask if she's thought to try this.

Great idea! Thank-you for sharing

Great idea. Note that if the padding is quilted (often a heat press for stitching) it will eventual "show" through your new quilt......so just I just quilt over the same "lines" as the padding and you can never tell.......

when i lived in MN, i went to my local thrift store and spoke with the manager. I asked for any mattress pads that they were going to dispose of due to wear or stains. I explained that I would be using them for charity quilts and they were happy to save them for me.

I've been doing this for years, since 99% of my quilts are donated.

I have never thought of doing something like this so thanks for sharing. I have one question though...you said "Will get the seam ripper out when I'm ready to use them". What are you ripping at that point?

This works great because you don't have to wonder about the suggested quilting distance, it's already there like a guideline. thank you for your comment. I had thought about getting the seam ripper.

wish I had know about this earlier. Another estate sale is coming up and I've made a list.

Thanks for the idea--clever one !