Batting tufts... sigh...
 

Hello all... well, I am nearing the finish line in hand quilting DH's quilt. The fabric was good LQS fabric; I'm quilting with YLI thread; I've tried Thread Heaven, beeswax (bought at a quilt show), nothing-at-all... and I still get those little tufts of batting coming through... usually it's only on the first one or two pull throughs when I've put a new length of thread onto my needle. I've tried using shorter pieces of thread... same problem. I do NOT remember what the batting is.. SORRY!! I guess my question is: Is it the batting? (If so, what batting is best to solve this problem?) Is it the thread? Is it the way I'm pulling the thread through? (I've tried to keep the thread going the same direction as the first pull through....)

Please help with any suggestions!! I would love to NOT have these little tufts all over my quilts! They are tiny, but they are frustrating!!!!!

Are you using cotton or poly batting?

I always used and still do poly batting. When I use to hand quilt I do not recall having that problem. I have just machine quilted for the last 12-13 years. Maybe others can help you.

I believe that's called "bearding", and it's from your batting. A poly won't do that.

The reason is w/ cotton batting, it's called bearding. There is actually a right and wrong side to the batting, and i always forget and just have to hope i do it "right". I try to pick it out as i go, and I don't know if it washes away when i wash the finished quilt or what. But, i've been "lucky" to not have it be an issue w/ the finished product.

btw - I have found warm and natural to be worst than quilters dream cotton.

It's the batting. Bearding is actually worse on poly battings, but it can happen with cotton battings too.

I have never had this happen on cotton batting. It did happen when I used Poly batting.

could the problem be that the fabric is a looser weave? or that there is a burr on the needle?

I hand quilt a good bit and haven't had that problem with either. I did notice that sometimes, after the quilt has been loved a while, you will see fibers from the poly bearding thru the fabric. But not while quilting.

Hello all... I'm pretty certain the batting is a cotton-poly blend... all the remnant packages in my cabinet are cotton-poly blends. I did not know there was a right side and a wrong side! Will pay more attention next time! And rush8888, I've changed needles and still had the problem, but that was definitely a possibility. JulieR, yes "bearding"... I could not, for the LIFE of me, think of that term yesterday when I posted this!! :-) I'd heard it before, but couldn't remember... Well, I'll let you know when its been washed what happens. The "beards" are tiny, just enough for me to see, really, but on the dark fabric and I'm quilting with dark thread, that first stitch just has the tiniest bit of batting in it... and once in a great while a not-so-tiny piece. Thank you, everyone, for your help!! My quilty friend is coming over today to play... Very excited!!

I get bearding very rarely when I hand quilt with W&N (which is all I use). Like you, usually only on the first stitch or 2. Always washes away though. Enjoy quilting with your friend!

NJ Quilter... you say it washes away?? Now I'm even more inspired to finish quilting!! I only have four more large blocks, the setting triangles and the borders... Then binding and WASHING!! I'll let you know the results... This is good news!!

We had a lot of fun yesterday quilting together... Thanks for the good news!!!!