Dumb beginner question
 

I'm using scraps to make potholders, which is great practice for a lot of thing. I have a design in mind where I'd like to quilt each side of the potholder to its own piece of batting before I sew them together with more quilting. If I put fabric and batting through my machine without another piece of fabric on the bottom, will it shred and make a mess? Any thoughts?

If you are using a thin cotton batting like Warm & Natural, you should be OK.

No, cant see why it would, show us a pic when youre done

Not a dumb question, but I've never tried it before. Maybe you could use a very lite weight interfacing for the backing of each side?

It might make a difference depending upon what machine you have. Any of my Pfaff machine would not have trouble sewing them.

That's a great idea - I think I'd feel safer with that!

ITA that it would depend on the machine and batting used.

Being that you are a newer quilter, I'd suggest you use a lightweight fabric and avoid the risk of aggravation!

Exactly a project that I did when first starting. No problems with my cheapie Walmart Brother machine.

I wouldn't think it would be a problem, I've practiced free motion with just a piece of fabric on top of a piece of batting. You probably will get more lint down in the bobbin area, so be sure to give it a cleaning when you're done. Sounds like a great project!

If you are doing pot holder size, you could place a piece of newspaper print or low weight copy paper under the batting. Remove the paper when finished. Use a seam ripper to snip the paper in between the sewn seams. Fold back the paper along the seam and it should snap off.
You could also use the very very thin cotton fabrics sold in some local retailers and place on the other side of the batting. Then sew the 2 sides together. I have seen this thin fabric at $2.00 a yard locally, so if concerned about the lint from the batting, the cost is minimal vs. cleaning the machine constantly. That thin layer of fabric is not going to make a difference in the middle of the potholders.