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I've been making a simple 9 patch with alternating plain square that has turned out as 4 1/2" blocks. I've done stitch in the ditch but now am contemplating--do I need to do anything within the block? I have used SoftnCrafty 4 oz batting purchased on a roll from JoAnn's. I usually use 4" as my standard but here's this extra 1/2". There is nothing on the bag as recommendation for how far apart quilting should be with this particular batting. I rather like it without cross-hatching, tried a tie in the middle but don't see that it adds anything to the appearance but have concern . Suggestions?

Are you good at FMQ? If so, just sew a simple heart in the center otherwise, I wouldn't worry.

I would check the website to find out the recommendations for the batting. Some from Joanne's need to be quilted every 2". Better to know in order to decide what to do.

It sounds to me as though what you have done is sufficient in light of no instructions on the batting. I'm not a batting expert by any stretch but I'm not sure I've seen batting instructions for quilting more densely than what you have already done. I'm sure others with more knowledge/experience will have better info for you.

JoAnn's web site says quilting distance is 2-4 inches for Soft N Crafty. http://www.joann.com/soft-n-crafty-g...Crafty&start=1

woops - I just noticed that is for the 80/20 3-oz batting. The 4-oz poly Soft N Crafty doesn't give a quilting distance. http://www.joann.com/soft-n-crafty-p...Crafty&start=2

Depends how often you plan to wash it. There are 2 things to consider when choosing quilting distance: whether the batting will migrate, and whether the fabric & stitching will hold up. I used to only worry about the first until I saw that maybe 6-7 years later, my quilts had to be repaired. From what I've learned since about cotton fibers, stitching should be no farther than 2" apart. So that's what I now aim for as the farthest apart I quilt.

Assuming you only do straight line quilting, there are options other than cross hatch that would work. You could do a square within a square design an inch inside (that's what I'd do -- going around the square & then continuous line to the next square). Or do a couple of diagonal lines through it in the same direction 2" apart.

btw -- Fairfield makes Soft n Crafty & recommends quilting every 2-4". Based purely on batting, I think you should be fine at 4.5".

So I looked at this quilt from across the room for several days and finally decided to crosshatch in the plain squares to see how I liked that. With the weight of the batt, it seemed to "stiffen" the piece so then opted to put a tie in the middle of the 9 patches. As far as appearance, I like it and hope it holds up well for my friend. I want the quilt to drape well for her as I'm told the therapy will be chilling--more than one way--but this should cuddle well with the puffy batt and flannel backing. Thank you to those who responded to my inquiry.

Dunster, I looked at those 2 links and the one for the 4 oz weight says it can be used as back fabric. Surely a person has to use a regular backing with that?? Never heard of using batt on the outside. I've used fleece for backing without a batt but never a batt without backing. Hmm..... Interesting. I'd think that would disintegrate with use/laundering.

Sometimes I will put a decorative stitch down the middle, or the heart idea in the middle is a great idea too!

I like to quilt every 3-4", no matter what.