I can't believe what a difference the type of batting can make
 

So I am pretty new at this. I have just finished my 5th quilt. The first four I just used the cheap poly batting. I always had problems with basting and could not fmq at all without loops on the bottom. Those things alone were making it so not fun that I don't think I would have ever made another one.

So on this last one I used 80/20 and I am so happy at how much more smoothly everything went. Even basting was such a different experience. The batting really seemed to "grip" the top and make it so I could pin without the entire top feeling it was shifting every time I touched it. Then I gave another go at fmq on some practice sandwiches and it worked perfectly. So I am doing a meander thing on this last one and it looks so good. No issues with the "eyelashes" on the back at all. (After this I tested on another practice piece with the poly batting and sure enough, loops everywhere.)

I'm so glad I tried it!

That's very interesting...I'll definitely keep that in mind...thanks!

I have become a dream wool person! I love it!

Great to know! Thanks for sharing that. I see lots more quilts in your future!!

Good for you! Keep quilting...it is so much fun!

you should get some "samples" of the various types of batting out there and find your fav. I like warm and nat. but love bamboo. I have never tried the polly batting. just to worried about the melting factor in it.

any of the batts from the Dream company are a real joy to use- the dream green, dream poly (lots different than the poly you were using i promise) , dream cotton, dream wool, dream bamboo...
also try warm & natural---there are many wonderful batts on the market- just be sure to read the packaging so you know how far apart you need to quilt your project- and the care instructions---it will open a whole new world for you-and really take your quilting to a new level :)

I really prefer the cotton batts. They are so much easier to work with.

I love Quilter's Dream Cotton. It is great to work with.

I only use polyester batting and it DOES NOT slip and/or slide around. It is warm without adding weight. It grips the backing and the top and does not move. What a terrible rumor to spread.

I have some polyester that I want to use up then try the 80/20.

That is so cool to hear Grandma58, I have been wanting to try the wool in the worst way and I have it on my agenda for after Christmas. How do you feel it compares in warmth to the warm and natural. I love the 80/20 and do not ever think our beautiful works of art should have those cheap packaged batting in them. World of difference.

Congratulations. This is good information. Thank you for sharing.

Materials of high quality are very important for me. Of course every quilter has own preferences but I saw so many students in my workshops struggling with their fabric and a cheap batting! It was almost impossible for them to get a good result. I prefer to buy less - but what I buy is of a good quality.

I agree. 80/20 or 100% warm and natural are both much better than poly batting.

Samples are sure the way to go. Good for you percervering and finding a solution to your woes, thanks for sharing.

I've heard about the Dream products, so now I can't wait to finish another quilt so I can try them. I think my LQS only have Dream cotton batts.

I love wool batting. I use it in the quilts I make for adults and cotton in the ones for little ones. I love the lightness of the wool. Whenever there is a sale at my quilt shop and I can use a coupon on one item, this is what I buy. Hobbs Wool is wonderful. I will also buy the wool at JoAnn's with a coupon. I like the touch of the bamboo and have used it in one quilt, but the wool really has my heart.

I have not used warm and natural for machine quilting in a long time, I did not like it though, it was too flat. I did like it for handquilting a million years ago. I like the warmth of the wool better then bamboo. The bamboo pulled though the fabric and it felt really light. If it helps at all I buy the wool by the roll, I no longer even have scarps of anything else.

Batting does make a difference in my machines also. I generally test a small square and make adjustments to my tension to avoid the problems that you mentioned.

Thanks so much for the advice. I will remember it.

I have used polyester batting, Hobbs 80/20, Warm & Natural, and Hobbs Wool. I find polyester batting more difficult to FMQ on my domestic machine - too much poof!

I find that I like different batting for different purposes. If you quilt Warm & Natural very densely (think Diane Gaudynski or Harriet Hargrave style heirloom quilting), then the quilt becomes very stiff.

In general I prefer the Hobbs 80/20 (fusible when I kind find it) or the Hobbs wool. The nice thing about the wool is that it does not keep creases. So if you have quilts that you store and do not use all the time, the creases do not remain once you use it (at least if you are hanging the quilt).

I do find it a little more difficult to pin baste the wool because it has more loft than the 80/20. I have to be very careful that I pin it closer together so that I don't get tucks when FMQ.

A few years ago I did a demostration for my quilt group where I compared different types of batting and various combinations of pre-washed and non-prewashed fabric. All of the batting and fabric squares started out the same size.

I then layered and quilted them and washed/dried all the samples. This provided examples of the shrinkage and puckering encountered when using pre-washed vs non pre-washed fabric and different types of batting.

It is really personal preference as to what you like the best.

Is there any chance you have photos of your demonstration pieces? I would love to see the difference in the battings used in finished projects.
I know many seem to love Warm & Natural, but I don't love the too thin look of it, even if it is nice to work with, and warm. So I am looking and learning before purchasing for my current queen-sized project.

I am really interested in the wool batting too. The first quilt I did was with a LQS, and they were recommending Warm and Natural then. I've done 4-5 baby quilts; lots of wall hangings, placemats, and table runners; and 3 lap quilts with the W&N. I'm not unhappy with it, but I wish it had a bit more loft. I used a polyester batt on the last quilt I did, a twin-size casual quilt for my 26 year old son. I like the look of it, but it was a bear to quilt. It kept creeping on me, even with lots of pins and basting with a water soluble thread.

I did buy a number of batting samples and did some simple quilting on them, but I found the 18" square didn't give me enough information! I have two "special" lap quilts/wall hangings that I've been waiting to quilt until I decide on a batting. For one of them I have bought a wool batt and for the other I'm going to look for the 80/20 that so many recommend. Who has a good source for it?

Pam

I've learned from experience that good batting makes a big difference whether it is poly, cotton or other type, it has to be a good quality. There is a reason some batting cost much more the others even at discount prices. There is a type that most new LAs seem to use because it it cheap. It's rough, stiff, and you can see through it. If the price for quilting includes batting I always ask for a sample of the batting being used. My favorite is wool or silk. For quilts that will be used and washed a lot I use Warm and Natural.

As a long arm quilter, I do provide wool at a discount, I prefer customers to bring their own, then they have what they want. I imagine we are all quite different about that as well. I will agree though, if you are taking your quilt to a long arm quilter who provides batting, check it out.

I'd love to see the results of this.

I to like Quilters Dream cotton batting but Hobbs 80/20 is wonderful to I use them both

When I started quilting, I tied them and polyester made a nice fluffy quilt. I personally don't like the shrinkage factor, so polyester was the best choice for me. When I got my short arm, I tried regular polyester. It would catch on the foot. I found Soft N Bright (made by The Warm Company-same company that makes Warm & Natural, etc). Absolutely, love it. It is not made w/resins, it is needle punched. It feels like Warm & Natural, doesn't shrink, and quilts like a dream. I buy 10 yards at a time from JoAnn's with a 50% off coupon. If you are going to use polyester, this is the one. I quilt for several of my SILs and my niece.

I'm a dream batting fan myself, and love the bamboo, but it is a lot more expensive.

Don't forget to post a pic!

I've used the Dream Cotton batting on several quilts and was very happy with the outcome. Ordered some Warm and Natural this time to see how it does. So happy to hear you've found what works best for you and that you're enjoying quilting. Not much fun if you're having to fight with the "ingredients". Happy quilting and Merry Christmas. :)

sadly it is really NOT the fault of the poly batting..but just that you need more experience. TENSION is always different when changing, fabrics, threads, and even battings...with time and practice and NOTES you will find the best combination for which ever batting you decide to use!

agreed 100% ! The problem isn't in the batting itself, it is the tension which needs to be set each time you fmq......I use poly for charity quilts and anything where I want a poofier look....I use 80/20 blend (from walmart) for a thinner and softer quilt....each one requires a different tension, even between straight stitch quilting and fmq.....I have found that setting stitch length to zero, pedal to the metal, and slowing down my hands made a huge difference in the way the thread reacted on the back.....no more loops and birds nests! PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! Pretty stitching with consistent stitch length doesn't happen with the first quilt....or the second. Don't give up on poly yet....it has it's place in the quilting world! Try spray basting once.....I will never pin another quilt since I found it. If done correctly (I oversprayed on my first try and needle got gummy) the fabric does not shift. I start out my quilting now by sewing around the outside edges and then do the inside.....no puckers and it washes out!

I have an unaffiliated review of battings on my blog http://californiaquilting.blogspot.c...1_archive.html I have just finished a boat load of quits and used the opportunity to try a variety of battings. You may find it interesting.

Glad to know this
 

I am a newer quilter and think this is a great tip. Thank you - Merry Christmas to all!

The 80/20 is perfect. It's worth it to try different battings as your needs differ depending on your use for the quilt and where you live. I prefer higher poly battings because they are warmer (I live in MN).

By the way, using the Big Foot can help a lot when quilting with all poly battings. I used this for 4 or 5 years when I had my Kenmore (gotta get around to listing that in the Trading post as I no longer have a machine that uses that foot).

When I started years ago, did not know much about batting and so all but one of the old ones are poly. For the last several years, I have only used 80/20. I love it! I can get the wrinkles out by ironing and there is just enough static that builds up to hold the fabric to the batting. I rarely have any problems with it when quilting on my home machine.