I have been quilting for about 15 yrs or so but just learned what bearding meant. Unfortunately, it happened on a quilt I just quilted and planned to enter in the fair. It has a lot of black in the quilt and I did not use black batting--does that clue you? I have white spots in some areas at the stitching lines. Someone suggested a battery operated sweater pill remover like shaver. I don't have one of those but I did remember a fine tooth comb for pill removing. Found it and it is working somewhat. More to go. Anyone have any other suggestions on how to remove bearding? I thought bearding was when batting sagged and drooped when the quilting was not close enough and hung. I am busy now shaving...

I have only ever had a problem with bearding when I used a poly batt. Sorry you're having a problem, but can't think of any other cure.....the fibers are migrating through the cotton fabric weave.... will be interested to hear if someone has a cure for you. Even if you shave/trim the bearding at the moment....won't it continue as the quilt is used?

I do not have any suggestions but if you use the sweater shaver for other things, you may want to consider getting an electric one. Mine? That thing just went thru batteries right and left!

I think the bearding happens when the needle pushes through the batting to make the stitch, so I don't Think it will be an ongoing problem.

My experience is that bearding mostly happens with poly and wool battings, also with silk. The manufacturers try to avoid this with a special method of producing the batting. Many of them are today resin bonded and as far as I have seen it it's getting better.
I also think that it's a matter of fabric. On some brands the fibre migration is stronger, with others I had no problem at all. Unfortunately you will recognize it when the quilt is almost finished...

Try a disposable razor.

It is from the needle pulling the batting to the top. I used W&N because it was a piece the right size.

Oh forgot to mention the black fabric where you see it is a Kona I think.

I made a baby quilt using navy color fabric for the background. Bearding was terrible. It was like a film on the quilt not just at the stitches. It was the first time I had ever heard of bearding too. To me it ruined the quilt. I tried everything before giving it to the baby. I told the mother to use it as a utility quilt. I made another one for the baby's first birthday. I've never had it happen using Warm and Natural though. Does scrim stop bearding?

I don't know about scrim either. But I should have used black batting. But there is white too on this quilt. what is scrim?

I have been told that if you use Thermore that bearding won't happen. I have been using it in some baby quilts I have been making. The package says that it is Ultra -Thin so don't know if it comes in different thickness or not. I haven't used it with anything dark.

OH I have a catalogue here and looked Thermore up--it says no fiber migration. Oh well live and learn, eh?

how about a link roller?

I had some come thru on a miniature I made12 x18 so I rolled some duct tape the old silver stuff and went to it. It cleaned up quite well but may have pulled a little more out as I went, not sure though. But it did work.

I cut some batting on my olfa board and I got bearding on the board. LOL! I crack myself up sometimes.

I am sorry this happened to you after all of them money and time that must have gone in to the quilt. I wish I had a magic answer for you.

I've used Thermore for vests & jackets but never for an actual quilt. It's very thin so may work if you're not looking for warmth from your quilt.

I had my daughter's quilt long armed a short while ago and she used a light colored batting for a black and purple quilt. It now has pill dots all over it. Each time I wash it it gets worse. I never knew there was black batting. Any suggestions? I have been using a lint brush, but it's not working.

I had my daughter's quilt long armed a short while ago and she used a light colored batting for a black and purple quilt. It now has pill dots all over it. Each time I wash it it gets worse. I never knew there was black batting. Any suggestions? I have been using a lint brush, but it's not working.

Scrim is a thin sheet of synthetic material that lends stability to the batt.

"Feel the batting to determine if the scrim is near the center of the layering, or closer to one side than the other. If you cannot tell, then it will make no difference which side of the batting is placed next to the quilt top.

If the scrim is closer to one side than the other, we recommend that this side be placed closest to the backing."

(info from http://www.quiltersreview.com/articl...t/010730_b.asp)

Won't help much this time but maybe next.
If you find something that works let me know, I have one of my husbands Tshirts I'll send to ya and let you shave it too. Some how it got tossed in the washer/dryer with a load of towels. Maybe he shouldn't do his own laundry no matter how BAD he needs the shirt.

I am so sorry this is happening to you now when you worked so hard to put the quilt in the show.
I did this many years ago, and it is the pits to find out what bearding is. Bless your heart.

You made me smile--that's worth something.
I am taking care of most of it. Trying everything suggested here.

Just read back is all I can suggest. It is lessening in places. Toothbrush and shaving is helping. LOL

You can try the dollar store for a sweater shaver, also JoAnne's have them in the notion aisle. Sorry you're having this problem. Good luck at the fair!

Black Sharpie for bearding
 

Black sharpie works great!

I've never had the batting pull through, but I have had some long-fibered polyester backing pull through. Luckily, I noticed the problem and stopped quilting. I removed the backing and used a Shannon Cuddle minky. No problems. I never thought about the batting being an issue. Interesting.

I had bearding on one piece years ago. I had used Mountain Mist poly batting. It was a fairly loose density and bearded all over. No permanent cure. Since then I check to make sure my batting’s are labeled non bearding.

Good luck tho hopefully the methods you are trying will solve your problems at least long enough for the show.

Sorry this has happened to you. I had this happen too. I tried everything, and then gave up and just lived with it (but it was not a show quilt). Now I just (and only use) quilters dream request 100% cotton batting and it has never happened again.

if it's more white dots showing at the stitching holes,try a mist of water to close the holes and then dot with a super fine tip sharpie in the same color.