Cotton picking
 

I am sandwiching some every day placemats so whatever batt scrap that is the right size, is going to be used. This off white batt seems to have quite a few cotton seed bits? in it and because the backing is light, I am going to use my hemostats and pick out the darker imperfections. " Use it up, wear it out or do without."[ATTACH=CONFIG]559159[/ATTACH]

That is a good motto! I found a bunch of batting scraps and have cut them into 4 1/2" squares to use in denim quilts. Now I have enough squares to make 2 quilts.

I definitely agree with use it up, wear it out. I've always saved batting remnants that were at least 5 inches wide and had some length -- often join these for placemats and cozies for my Coke and tea glasses. And I join larger pieces with the batting join tape AND a serpentine stitch on my machine.

But, we all need to realize that what we mistakenly think of as cottonseeds in antique battings is actually debris from cotton hulls. Cotton seeds themselves are hard and about the size of a small pea -- unlikely to be missed by those carding their own batts "way back when". Debris is also found in some modern cotton batting because the crushed pieces are so small. Just FYI....

Jan in VA

I had some warm and natural that had a lot of pieces in it. I used it with no problems. I would say use it.

I have also used batting with a lot of flecks in it and they worked like any other. I would just use it as is! Picking them all out is going to one long job! Best of luck!!

My Mother picked her own cotton and corded it. I still have her cording setl

I would use as. Who is going to see it or feel it?

i would use it as is

Helen, that is quite a legacy! Very special.

Deb

I have had that happen and found that sometimes the sewing machine needle would hit a seed and would make a skipped stitch. So taking them out is a good solution.

I also will sewing smaller pieces of batting together to make the size I need. You can't tell that you have done that once all the quilting is done. I always cringe when I see people throwing away large long strips of batting that the have been cut off the edge of their quilt in the garbage.