help me get warm
 

I have been asked to make a warm bedspread. They would like flannel for the backing and a very warm batting. They live in a very chilly part of Wisconsin so the warmer the better. Is it possible to use 2 layers of warm and natural or is there a better idea?

You might look into wool batting, also polyester (not the thick kind) is warmer than cotton

I would use Quilter's Dream poly. It is very warm and doesn't shrink but it's easy to work with like a good cotton.

Depending on how you're doing the actual quilting I would not recommend 2 layers of W&N. Did that once and hand quilted it - painful doesn't come close to describing THAT experience. Now, if you're machine quilting, it might be okay. I've had recipients tell me that the quilts I've made for them - regular cotton front/back and one layer of W&N for the batting were surprisingly warm. I did make one for my niece with a flannel backing as her room is very cold in the winter. She's only 9 so hard to say if she really finds it warm enough but supposedly that is the case.

Thank you for the feedback. The quilt will be machine quilted and topstitched. I am making a Green Bay Packers quilt but, this time for a King sized bed instead of twin. I am going to Jo Ann fabrics today to get things started. The quilt I made for my bed in cotton top and bottom and warm and natural batting. My old bedroom was so cold I used an electric blanket besides the quilt.

I would say for them to use two quilts.

I really would not use two layers of Warm and Natural on a King sized quilt. It will be awfully heavy. I would use wool batting instead.

Some people, especially those who grew up with them, like heavy quilts. As an older woman, I do not like sleeping under anything heavy and I also would find it difficult to move a quilt like that around. My dh would have to wash it, as the added water would make it *really* heavy!

I second the idea of wool batting....perhaps even silk if you can find it...
I know my silk socks are the warmest ever

ha, that's what I do ;-)

I made the baby a quilt for her to lay on the floor with (to play with her gym) - I used two packages of warm and natural came out great - was easy to machine quilt. Nice and soft for her.

Thank you so much for your replies. I'm going to price up the wool batting and the Quilter's Dream Poly. I know how heavy my queen is when it's wet. The clothesline really sags with the weight, I can't imagine a king with 2 layers of W&N. Thanks again. I'll let you know how it goes

I live in WI, too, & I LOVE my quilts made with wool batting (tho it does beard)! Evidently it also quilts like a dream (I didn't quilt these so I can't say first hand).

I made a log cabin quilt out of flannel with a flannel backing and I used Quilter's Dream Deluxe cotton. I wouldn't want a quilt any heavier than that and when it's really cold I use two quilts. I'm allergic to wool so the wool batting wasn't an option.

I sleep under a silk filled comforter (batting is silk fiber) and it is warmer than any down or quilt or wool blanket.

Another suggestion is to fill a quilted duvet cover with a down comforter. Best of both worlds.

You might also consider using polyester fleece for the backing. The poster who recommended Quilter's Dream poly also made a great suggestion.

Darren

Maybe a Warm & Natural and a wool batting together. I think that would be plenty warm and not real heavy even when washed. JMO

If you make the top from wool fabric instead of cotton fabric you wouldn't need any batting at all, just the flannel backing and it would be the warmest of all.

What about going to a military surplus store and buying a wool blanket, washing it, and letting it dry naturally and then using it for batting. I slept under those old Navy blankets growing up. They were heavy and warm as I slept in an unheated room. Of course, I needed more than 1 blanket, but they were warm.

I agree.

There are times we have 5 on our bed... :) It can get cold in our room since we've been using a wood burning stove in the basement and our bedroom is upstairs...so it can be very cool. I often have an extra one on the feet area...

I'd go with the warm and natural batting or wool. Remember all the wool blankets our soldiers used to be issued? There had to be a reason.

I would think just the one layer of batting with flannel backing would be pretty warm, but I've read on here where people use two layers, I've never tried it.

I third or fourth or fifth usinf wool for the batting. It's light weight but suprisingly warm.

I live in Wisconsin and also recommend wool for the batting! I use my wool quilt almost all year round...it breathes so is comfortable except for the really hot days/nights.

Personally, I think cotton batting is cold. I've used wool batting and it's just as toasty as can be. Also, I understand poly battings are warmer. Also, the less quilting you have the better because if you can capture some air- think tied quilt- it is warmer that quilts that have been quilted into 'cardboard-ness'.

The quilts I've made with wool batting are, by far, our favorites. As others have written, the wool is breathable. In CA, we use them year-round. Wash/dries nicely too. I wouldn't choose W&N 2-layer for a king sized quilt.

I to am from Wisconsin, down in a low valley area. We are always a tad colder then normal areas. We have the heat shut off in our bedroom (as we like to sleep when it is cold) and seriously the temp is normally 58. We have just one quilt on our bed and a very thin blanket. The quilt is made with poly fill and tied.. the one made with W & N..and LAQ...we freeze. So that one is now used in the guest bedroom (as that room is heated) and 66 in there at night. Our son and his wife are always warm.

I made one with double poly and it doesn't wrap around me as nicely as a single layer does. I am a believer in layering two quilts for warmth rather than one heavy one. (And socks are the BEST for keeping you warm.) Good luck and let us see what you do!

You could use a layer of wool and a layer of warm and natural. It comes out very nicely - my Innova dealer/teacher had samples that felt great.

Puff quilts are very warm!
The way I make them is to stitch in the ditch long "tubes" (4 1/4 inch squares finished), then stitch one ditch across the middle, then stuff from the ends a handful of polyfil. (push up w/ yardstick). Seal off each square puff a row at a time...When you finish it is puffy and warm!

Another idea to make a warm quilt is to use an old pattress pad as batting -- these are actually heavy enough to use as beach blankets or "moving" blankets! (protect furniture) if you use scrappies.

Thank you all for the great responses. I decided to go with the Quilters Poly fill. My friend called me back today and said wool won't work because he is allergic. I asked him about using Polar Fleece as batting and he was afraid of the fleece attracting more dust and things. The Quilters Poly said it was allergen safe and 3/4 inch thick so they should be plenty warm. They live in Northern WI by the MI and MN borders and wind chill can be double digits below zero. I'll stay in Sheboygan LOL.
I like the idea of the puff quilt, that may be the next one I try. In January I will have been quilting for 2 years and I am loving it. My mom and her friend got me started. Last week I made a baby quilt in 10 hours with 144 3 inch squares. It truly was fun to do.

Poly doesn't breathe, just holds in the heat, so a single layer of it is warmer than wool...but it makes my DH sweat! Need to make one with wool on his side and poly on my side!!! Two layers of batting isn't difficult to longarm...just not 2 layers of thick poly - makes the hopping foot drag the top, creating wrinkles.

I used 2 layers of warm and white on a quilt that I made my son and he loves it! He says it's quite warm and he likes that it feels heavier. I did some fairly heavy machine quilting and it was real easy to do.

just like insulation for the home...the more you compress the quilt's "insulation", the less warm it will be.

Two layers of batting would make it very difficult to wash in my opinion.

Wool or silk is what I have heard for warmth. and not quilted very heavily so the loft stays!