Piecing batting
 

I've read that in order to successfully piece batting you put the two edges next to each other and zigzag stitch.

I'm trying to do that with a straight stitch only machine on a somewhat fluffy poly batting and not having much luck.

So my obvious question is how can I make this work for me? Or should I just give up and open a new package of batting to do this 24" square wall hanging?

Thanks for all your expertise that y'all so willingly share!

I just put the batting over he backing and overlap the batting pieces. I use Warm and Natural, so not sure how it would work with poly. You could test it with scrap pieces.

I've used iron on pellon for this and it works fine.

I was having some trouble and wasn't working until I used a pre-washed strip scrap and sewed up one side then dow the other. Like sashing.

You can lay the two pieces of batting next to each other and hand stitch back and forth (whip stitch). The stitches don't need to be tight or close together for it to hold long enough to do the quilting. Or you can tape the pieces together using a fusible. I wouldn't overlap them if the batting is fluffy because it will probably show up in the finished piece.

I cut lightweight fusible interfacing into strips abut 2 inches wide, butt the batting together and press on the strip. It is a good idea to use a press cloth and steam when doing this. Works really great for me.

I do the same as dunster and it works fine.

Nor would I overlap even it it is not fluffy (eg. Warm and Natural) .... it may not be fluffy, though it is bulky and would create a ridge that might be noticeable in your finished quilt.

Here's a couple of hints I was given for joining batting pieces...
* Lay two pieces on top of each other (yes overlap!!) ... top with a ruler, and then slice down the overlap with your rotary cutter. That way, you have two pieces that are now cut straight and match precisely. Then sew.

* When joining batting pieces, don't make the seams at right angles to the way it will be in a quilt. Angles are actually better, and probably will be less apt to be noticeable in a finished quilt, than they might be if all is kept straight and rigid. Keeping them straight on the horizontal or vertical, you might hit right on a seam, which could make quilting awkward, whether by hand or machine. If on an angle, then you are more likely to just have to work with it crossing a seam.

Thanks all!
My batting is cut straight on each edge that I'm trying to hold together and I did not want to overlap creating a hump in the middle, so it sounds like the hand stitching method would be the least likely to cause other problems (lumpiness, possibility of melting, necessity to drive 45 min to a shop, etc)
Happy quilting to all!

Like Dunster, I also hand stitch. I handstitch loosely. I use mostly poly batting.

Just looked at 3 quilts I've overlapped the batting on and can't find the overlap, not even by feel.

I've overlapped with no discernable problem using W&N.

in a hurry one time, on a wall hanging not to be washed, i used scotch tape LOL

I piece a lot of batting scraps to make bigger pieces. I use Batting tape. Fast, simple , and done.

zig zag stitches do well. as wide as your machine allows and with correct foot too of course.

I use a fusible, but I really like the sound of how dunster does it.

Since this is a wall hanging, go ahead and overlap. You won't see it in the quilting and it won't cause discomfort or annoyance since it's not on someone's lap.

That said, if this quilt is an entry into some sort of competition, I would use a new piece and save leftovers for other projects.

If your machine will do a zig-zag - - -

lol, people use glue, why not tape ;-)

I finally just admitted to myself that I can't stand piecing batting. I don't know why, it just drives me nuts. I have bins of batting pieces that I need to pitch because it's just taking up space.

To answer your question though, I'd probably whip stitch it by hand.

I whip stitch the edges together on one side of the bat. But I just bought some batting tape and am anxious to try it out.

I have sewn lots and lots of poly batting together. In fact I have sewn enough together to make 5 or 6 quilts using the scraps. I use a big X or a ladder stitch. It works well, it does take up a bit of time. Saves lots of money.

This would be my suggestion as well. In fact, have done it one more than once. Works like a charm. No bulges/puffiness and doesn't take long at all.

I save myself the grief and purchase the iron "tape" about 2 inches wide that is made to join the pieces smoothly. I have used it on several quilts small wall hangings to full sized with not a single problem. You just butt the edges of the batting together, lay the tape on the seam and gently press as directed, Quicker than sewing and not that costly per quilt. Love the stuff. Wish I could remember the brand name, but I am sure there are several.

I hand whip stitch the batting together. I often piece batting and have never had a problem doing it this way.

Here is what I do, overlap the batting on your cutting table. Use your rotary cutter and cut a wavy line through the two layers. Remove the excess piece. Now take Pellon 44f stabilizer and cut into a strip large enough to cover the wavy line. Line up the two cut pieces ( like a puzzle), iron on the stabilizer. You will have a perfectly flat seam!

I have used a lightweight iron on interfacing and it has worked really well. I jusy butt the two pieces together, iron on about a 2-3" wide strip on both sides of the batting and it quilted beautifully. I wouldn't overlap because it might make it lumpy in that area.

hcarpanini - what a great idea! I'll have to try that next time. That way, you don't have to worry about the edges being perfectly straight! Thanks for the tip! :)

Do not use an iron on polyester batting as it will smash it flat or melt it. A wide zigzag stitch works fine or long stitches to hold it together until it is quilted also works well. The stitches don't need to be close or neat, just enough to hold it together until it is quilted. You can also glue (spray glue or school glue) the backing and then just lay your batting pieces on making sure they butt together nicely and that will hold it all in place.

Zig zag stitch compresses the batting too much. I "butt" the ends together (no overlap) and very lightly and loosely whip stitch by hand with big stitches. No compression, and once the quilt is quilted you would never know the batting was pieced.

I have used this method and it works. I would use stronger thread than normal and maybe have it double.

Keep your zig-zag in a long and wide stitch and you can avoid that.
You just need to have it gently attached, as it would be with your whip stitches.

Don't know about the fluffy type batting but on W & N as well as 80/20 type batting, I use the batting tape you can get in rolls of 10yd, 15yd and 100yds. I bought a ton of it awhile back and have gone thru 2-3 rolls already. I piece most all my scraps of batting if a decent size. Smaller pieces I keep for hot pads or testing out a quilting pattern. With the tape you just butt the two pieces next to each other and iron the tape over it. I haven't found that I have to add the tape to both sides either as the tape seems to hold well for me.

I have used a product called "Heat Press Batting Togeather". It is a 1 1/2 wide cloth tape. Works great.

This kind of thing makes wonderful pillow stuffing. Salvation Army, Goodwill, Food Pantries and such would like to have them. There are people who don't have a pillow to sleep on. And they are so easy to make.

Like Dunster, I hand stitch the two together after overlapping a little and cutting through both layers. Then I ladder stitch the two loosely

I overlap my two pieces and then use the rotary cutter to cut through both... but I do a long, easy curvy cut. Then I zig-zag the two together with a wide and long zig-zag. No problems and it really doesn't take long at all...

I use the batting tape now. It's much easier than trying to sew it together. Never thought about using pellon to join small pieces, but that's a good idea.

I overlap the pieces by about half an inch and then zig zag

Mom-6 I always hand stitch together no matter size of quilt or piece. Why? Because I have never found a flat methods using the zigzag. Sometimes instead of straight I have made a wave shape so as not to have all joined in same place. I made a double wedding ring in sections and joined in curves as I was doing a kind of quilt as you go my way.
I have also found that since I use 505 spray, other makes also available I do a quick spray over before placing together.

What I ended up doing was take a strip of lightweight white fabric the same width as my sashing and stitch down each edge. Then placed that along one of the sashing strips so not obvious. Felt like that would hold more securely if the kiddos ended up using it as a doll quilt. And didn't have to figure out how not to compress the batting where it was stitched.