Best way to buy batting
 

I've always bought batting in a package, usually queen size. But often I cut it down to make a large lap size and then I have odd sized pieces left that I have to piece or use as a table runner. That's fine but I'm not so much into runners and wonder what is the best way to buy batting so there isn't so much waste? I've never bought batting off the bolt but maybe that's the best way. How do you buy your batting?

I always buy my batting by the yard, the wider the better since I use the same one 90% of the time piecing larger pieces together isn't a problem. I don't like wasting my batting.

I usually buy a whole bolt. Order it from JoAnns.com when it is on sale for 50% off. For my large queen/king quilts, I buy a package of king size batting.

I buy it by the bolt from Walmart.com, it usually beats JoAnns sale prices.

Cari

I buy it by the roll (30 yards/96" wide) from BattMart. I also piece leftover pieces.

I figured it per sq inch by roll and by precut. Saved about $75 by the bolt. That was before Joann 50% off. It does take up more room and my DH has to help me wrestle it around when I need to roll it out to cut. That's why I will make 3-6 tops than cut all batting needed.

I also purchase bolts from *BattMart* . also when connecting threads has their batting sales I pick up a variety of sizes, generally the ones smaller than my bolt is wide, throws, baby size, craft size, queen & king wool and a couple queen black battings so I have a good variety of sizes, types for what ever comes along.
I also piece scraps and use them up. I just butt the edges together and zigzag them together. Often the cut away pieces are perfect for throws, kid/ baby quilts or for raggy quilts

I have ordered from Joanns by the bolt when it is 50% off, but when I need it in a hurry I buy from Gammills because they are close to me and I can go there, buy and also buy thread, shop and dine out and still get home within a few hours.

I order by the bolt from Joanns when it is 50% off...and there is a free shipping coupon.

It would depend if you always use the same batting, or if you will use different battings for different quilts. I use whatever batting is best for that particular quilt, so I buy prepackaged batting. I prefer hobbs and buy from connecting threads when on sale, but I found an oops on Walmarts website that netted me 4 packages of 110"sq high loft poly batting for $11 total. I ordered 8 packages and made them honor the advertising (they have since changed the description). So I am currently full of batting!

My sister and I always go in together on a full box (40 yds) of Warm and Natural. We each take 20 yards and it lasts several years. We get a great deal on the price and it is delivered right to the door.

I liked buying the Hobbs mini roll but haven't found it recently at my JAF.

As I live in a small town with limited access I order my batting thru my fabric store in a town about 7 miles out. I order a roll at a time and have hung it on a large dowel rod over my cutting table so it doesn't take up room. Then when I'm ready to cut a piece, I just pull the end down over the cutting table, measure the size I need and cut. I use batting tape to iron my extra cutoffs together for a future quilt. All my quilt tops, backings and battings are hung on a rod until I'm ready to finish them. On a sheet, I write down the size of the quilt, size of the body and borders. Also add what size for the batting and backing I need as well as the binding. Once I have these cut to size, I check mark it so I know its done. I've cut twice in the past and don't want to do that again. When I have the quilting layout figured out, I print it out and pin it to the quilt top too. I guess I'm anal about keeping organized but I seem to be forgetting things these days.

Anyway back to the subject at hand, when I see I'm getting low on batting I put in another order to my fabric store.

I most often buy it by the yard, and keep an eagle eye on my Hancock flyer. I don't buy a whole roll, as it is just too bulky for me to handle, but most often will get 10 to 15 yards at a time. I like to be able to just cut what I need. I do buy "specialty" batting in packages, like black or wool.

What's best is what works best for you. I bought a bolt at Joanns when there was a big sale. It was only 55" wide or so, about the right width for baby quilts. That year I made a lot of baby quilts and used almost all of it up. Other than baby quilts, I was making mostly queen to king size quilts, quilting with a package of batting, but I can no longer handle that size and quilt it on a DSM, so piecing batting isn't such a big thing to me. I plan to start some QAYG, and piece the batting. I've also been doing some table runners as Christmas gifts, and I'll be making some boxes. Those take small pieces of batting.

I buy my batting by the roll, on the pieces that are cut off, I set aside and use, either in rag quilts, runners, or I sew large sections together until I get a size I can use in a quilt.

I don't have much space in my sewing area, so I buy it prepackaged, on sale, at Connecting Threads, or Honey Be Good. Then, I store the packages under the bed until I need them.

~ C

I use flannel scraps and batting scraps to make rag quilts. I don't have much waste batting wise. Husband also uses it for insulation when he finds little cracks in the house that need insulated, that is for the smallest bits.
I used to buy it by the bolt but it got too expensive so now I buy a couple of bags at a time.

I have bought it both ways and have used little scraps for small projects - like Christmas ornaments and kid placemats.
But I have read on this site about people who piece together larger scraps for a bed size quilt.
I'd like feedback on that subject too, and how to do it nicely so there are no gaps or lumps.

I buy Hobbs 80/20 by the roll, and it lasts a long time. I also buy other batting by smaller rolls. And I buy anything I like by the package at garage and estate sales. That's where the wool batts and other interesting ones show up, and the price is usually wonderful.

Me too, and like Snooze2978, hang it on a closet rod dowel that my husband positioned in the closet for easy roll out. I buy Quilters Dream Cotton and a 90"/30 yd. roll weighs about 22 lbs. Also sew my scraps together (or use the tape) to piece scraps together.

I got hooked on Dream Green poly batting (made from plastic bottles) and when my LQS persisted in always being out of it, I started ordering it online by the roll. I love it. I don't have to worry about letting the fold lines relax, there is very little waste, and it's always there when I need it. If I happen to need a different kind of batting for a project, I just pick up a package in the size I need - usually a craft size.

I also buy the big roll from JoAnn's. A friend pointed out the savings and I ran the numbers. I make lap size quilts. When they go on sale for 50% and free shipping, I purchase. (When I'm low). It amounts to less than $7.00 a quilt for a 48x72 size. Since I don't plan on stopping anytime soon, that's savings. The hardest part was deciding what to purchase. I tried several battings before I decided which one I wanted in quantity.

I always buy a bolt now-I have used at least 12 bolts in the last 8 years.

To piece batting by hand, butt the two pieces next to each other, loosely whipstitch the pieces together.

To piece batting by machine, butt the two pieces next to each other, Stitch together using a wide zig zag stitch, the one with multiple stitches per zig and zag. To fit it onto your DSM, roll up the piece that has to go under the harp of your sewing machine.

I've been really tempted to buy the skinnier roll of 80/20 batting offered by nancy's notions. I think it would be great for runners and other smaller projects. I know it probably works out to being more expensive but it does seem as if it might be easier to use. Has anyone tried it?

I purchase online from a place on ebay. Free shipping and it's 96" wide by 36 yard rolls for 110.00 (when they have a sale, usually 125.00 I think). This for the 4 oz, the same price for thicker, but less yards on the roll. I have the 6 and 8 oz...100% polyester. My customers like the loft of the 4 oz.

I buy the 4oz in the 2 bolt packs, a bit cheaper still.

I also had a bolt of warm and white...took 4 years to use it up...customers wanted more loft. Finally found one customer wanting it...used it in her quilts at cost, and now that it's gone & we used the 4oz on one of her quilts...she's a convert.

I've boought it both ways. When I have left over that I have cut from king or queen size I usually use it in baby quilts. Sometimes if the piece is long enough I can use it for extra length for a king size when using the roll.

By the yard results in the least waste if you don't have space for a bolt. I use leftovers from packaged batting to make wallhangings or quilt as you go projects. I recently did a large lap quilt for someone completely from leftovers. I sew them together either by hand or machine and the quilting reinforces the assemblage.