Did I make a mistake?
 

I'm new to sewing/quilting. I bought a brother SQ 9050 sewing/quilting machine. One of the main reason I bought this machine is to learn to FMQ. So I came up with the idea to make dog and cat beds and crate pads while learning. I have been reading up on batting and it seems as though poly holds up well under frequent washing. These pads would probably have to be washed weekly or biweekly. A quilting person I have recently met told me I made a horrible decision. Should never use poly. I got a huge roll for dirt cheap. In my mind it made sense. Practice FMQ and the critters get comfy places to lay down and sleep. If this is a bad idea, what can I use the poly for? I know it's suppose to be good during the cold since it doesn't breath like natural fibers which is fine with me when it's cold. So can I use it for table runners? wall hanging? Anything? I'm just trying to find something to do with it. I will feel like a total idiot if there's no use for it.

Thanks for reading!!

No! I am not an expert on battings, but I really don't know why your quilter friend said you should never use poly. I have used poly in a quilt, and I have used warm and natural cotton batting. In my experience, the poly batting is loftier and lighter in weight. Maybe other members will weigh in on your question. I think the poly batting will work just fine and good for you for finding a bargain.

Nope! Lots of people use poly. Use it to practice just like you planned and then try some of the other battings--see which one you like most. At least that's what I would do. Have fun!

Some people can be a bit 'snobbish' when it comes to batting, nothing wrong with poly and I would have thought it would be perfect for cat/dog bedding as it washes really well and dries quickly.

I think I know why she told you not to use poly for the animal beds. It is because when they get washed they are washed in HOT water, and dried on HIGH heat. This can cause the poly to lose its fluff factor. When I have done blankets for the shelter I have used old cotton bath towels I pick up from goodwill as batting. They are inexpensive, and hold up very well to extreme washing ! I have never had trouble FMQ these with a large-ish stipple, but I would avoid anything too complex. As for the poly batting use it in quilts !! Use it in wall hangings, use it in anything you need batting for !

you can go ahead and use the batting you purchased- poly batting holds up just fine-even washed in hot water-dried in hot dryer. it is a good choice for practice-and for pet beds/kennel quilts. there are people who simply believe no one should use anything except cotton- allow them their (choice) and when they try to (force their choices on you) simply smile, nod & use what you want.

There are 1000's upon 1000's of quilts out there, all made with poly batting and poly blend fabric. When I started using poly batting in the late 70's, everyone thought it was the greatest thing since popcorn!!!USE YOUR POLY!!!!!

maybe that when FMQ sometime's the poly pulls through? JMHO. If she had a "Quilting Police" badge then you may want to take her opinion. But it sounds like she didn't since they've outlawed that badge, do your thing and practice.

Welcome to the quilting world. Use your poly as you want too. Each project will be a learning experience. Have fun.

Wow......I always use poly/poly blend batting there is nothing wrong with it. If I were to make a quilt with a large amount of intricate quilting that was going to be the focus of the quilt I would probably use cotton. But shhhhhh don't tell anybody but I sometimes tie my quilts too. :-0

Towels or fleece are usually preferred by shelters since they wash so easily but I have found that shelters usually accept anything. As someone wanting to improve their FMQ, I think it is a brilliant idea. Yes, go ahead and use the poly. I have a friend who makes dog beds for shelters. She collects ALL our tiny pieces of fabric from quilting that normally would be thrown out. Hope she can use an old worn blanket. I prefer to recycle as much as I can.

​I say go ahead and use the poly batting, sounds like a great practice batting and you are getting something useful out of it. It washes up just fine, go for it!

The only batting I have ever used is traditional poly batting. We don't have a need for really warm quilts (excluding this past winter, of course). I've tied, hand quilted, and machine quilted easily. Quilts that I've made twenty years ago are still in good condition after being used and washed often.

If it's for your animal shelter, I was told by the staff that as long it is washable, they will take it.

I make the pet blankets for our local shelter and they seem most appreciative of what I have given them.

Serita

My local shelter loves towels too.

I use poly batting my pet's beds that I make. Have fun sewing.

I have made pet quilts for my own and others and I have used poly for all of them. I got the batting at an estate sale. Used scraps and everyone likes them. The poly works great. Your friend may have had a bad experience for whatever reason and that may be why she made that statement.

I have the same experience with our shelter. They have told me they will take anything but it needs to be washable.

Put that person on ignore for life. You chose well, the poly will hold up for next to forever!

It's fine to use the poly for animal beds. In my experience, polyester batting does not hold up as well as cotton when subjected to repeated machine washing and drying; however, it still holds up for a very long time (years). It will last long enough for the animal shelter to get lots of use out of the bedding.

I prefer cotton batting but that's just what it is - a preference. One kind is not necessarily better than the other. If I'm making something that is more disposable than a quilt then I don't think the batting makes much difference. If I put a lot of work and money into piecing and quilting a quilt that is going to be used by people then I'm not going to scrimp on the batting. If I'm making place mats, wall hanging and such then I'm more likely to use a less expensive batting. I save all my scraps of batting and sew them together. I think it's harder to sew poly batting together. Cotton is very easy to piece so in the long run maybe I'm not spending that much more for batting because none goes to waste.

Relax, use your batting, improve your free motion skills in the process and have some fun.

I use both and my kitties are not the least bit offended with the poly over the cotton. Also find that if quilted to mfg. suggestions will wash and dry up just fine. I have some quilts given to me (poly batt) that are at least 40 years old and still doing just fine.

There are no batting police either! Use what you have and if you don't like it when it's all gone get something else. No need to let people rain on your parade or your batting!

Although I have not used it myself, I cannot see why she said it would be a bad choice. If you are just making doggie beds I would think it would be fine. Doggies don't care, and the people taking care of them will be thrilled to get them. Go ahead and use them for learning. Then later, if you feel you want to get something else, go ahead.

It is for the a critters. They don't care what you use. USE it.. I use anything and everything in the dog quilts/beds.. They have not complained once. LOL

Thanks everyone for your responses and support!! The beds and crate pads will be for my dogs and cats until I feel I can make quality one for rescue. My dogs are only in their crates at night and when we're not home to keep them out of trouble when we aren't home. Our dogs love their crates and will sleep in them during the day by their own choice. I have whippets, pharoah hounds and a greyhound so they are all short haired dogs. I always wash their bedding in cold and depending on what it is I air dry them. Sorry to ramble about my critters. I'm bad about that!!

Being new, I want to make good decisions. Glad to know it's good to learn FMQ with it too on a small scale. What I have is Pellon Quilter's Touch. 100% siliconized polyester 60" X 20 yards. The regular price is $99.99. There was a big tear in the plastic and had a small area (3x5) that had something light grey on it. It was the only roll Joann's had. It was on sale for 50% off. I asked the manager if they had more and he said no but would give me a discount on it if I wanted to buy it. He marked it down to $25!!! I couldn't pass it up!!

another quick question. Once it's been basted, can it be ironed? I heard poly melts easily. If you can, what temp should I use?

You our have no idea how much I appreciate you guys taking time to answer my very newb questions. This group has the best people on it EVER!!!!

It's your life...use what you want for whatever you want...you decide...accept other's ideas ...listen....learn...but in the end it is still your decision..... I use both ....depends on what i'm working on but it is still MY CHOICE.

I have been quilting for at least 40 years and have not found any batting that I couldn't use. I have more than enough bed size quilts to last me the rest of my life. I make an average of 21 Linus Quilts a month at least half of which are fleece. The other half are child friendly prints with a flannel backing. I purchase rolls of poly batting to make my Linus quilts. I know that the majority of them will end up in households that don't know how to care for handwork so they are simply machine quilted. The smaller quilts that I use as throws over our wing chairs and cover ups for watching TV etc. are all made with poly batting. It is light and warm and can take a lot of abuse. I throw all of my quilted things in the washer and dryer and never worry about them. Relax, use whatever fits your budget and your lifestyle.

I use poly all the time. When I did quilting for other people I always bought the 70 yard rolls of poly batting and none of my customers ever requested any other batting. Use the poly anyway you want. A lot of people prefer it. A lot will use only cotton.

Use your poly batting. For kids quilts that I know are going to be washed a lot, I use poly because it washes so well. I'm pretty sure the animals who will be sleeping on these beds aren't going to be concerned about the batting choice.

Poly Batting
 

She may have said this due to if the dog would tear the bed/mat and eat the batting it could cause serious gastric issues for the animal even leading to surgery. I also would refrain from using this for the purpose of animals, so many other things you can use it for.

Poly batting will work JUST FINE for the purpose you have indicated!! Do not dismay...I frequently use a poly batting ( am really fond of the green recycled green bottle battings) for baby quilts, children's quilts and lap size charity quilts I make. They quilt beautifully on my long arm - are super light and warm - and stand up to multiple frequent washings and dryings....Just have fun with your new hobby!

You can iron anything with poly batting in it. I've never had it melt. And I use a hot setting. I guess I wouldn't leave the iron sit on one spot for very long, but using steam would get the ironing job done quicker with less time for the iron on the quilt.

Most of the quilts I have made are with poly batting. There are many techniques I use that are "Not By The Book", and I'm good with it. My suggestion is, "if it works for you and you enjoy it, then go for it!" Welcome to the "Quilting World!" I hope you enjoy quilting as much as I do:)

This proves the old adage: Never say NEVER. It's her opinion but it doesn't mean it's written in stone or is a Rule of Law. I've used poly and in fact, when I first began quiltmaking, a low loft poly was recommended for beginner quilters. Nothing wrong with it, and especially nothing wrong with it in dog and cat beds and crate pads.

You'll run across this 'NEVER' rule again and again before you gain enough experience to disregard it. But you will gain that experience and then those who use the word won't upset you!

Congratulations on joining the sewing/quilting community!

Use your poly batting for any bloomin' thing you want. It doesn't have to be just for dog bed or practice items. I have learned to close my ears to people who won't use anything but fabric they bought at an LQS for $13 a yard even though the same fabric--exactly the same manufacturer, finishing process, etc--can be had at Wal Mart for $7.49 a yard. These are the same people who refuse to use Coats and Clark thread. They also won't use a poly cotton blend even when it is just the right color for their project. Use and enjoy what you've got. froggyintexas

Your friend may have been mistaken, you can use poly batting in quilts, especially for your furry family. I think it's great for baby quilts, lap quilts, however, I prefer Warm & Natural cotton batting for things like placemats, table runners, etc. I know that you can FMQ on poly batting, as when I was new to quilting a friend asked me to quilt the baby quilt she'd made for her daughter, using lofty batting. Yup, well, nobody told me I couldn't FMQ on lofty batting, so I traced out a bear pattern, about 5-6" and quilted several over the top of the quilt. She was thrilled and even gave me a bunch of 1/2 yard pieces of fabric, although I didn't expect payment, but in the end we were both happy. Hope this helps; but I'm glad you got a super deal on poly batting, good for you.

I don't see anything wrong with poly batting as long as it isn't too thick. I have a poly upstairs that is really thick and hard to quilt. Most poly batting is fine. I use warm and natural or poly or whatever sounds good when I buy batting. go ahead and try working with it and see what you think. Try cotton too and decide which you like. Good luck learning to FMQ.

good advise,,,on all things. hugs