Piecing Batting
 

I have several large pieces of W&N batting left over from various projects. Is it worth the expense of purchasing the fusible tape for joining the batting pieces or is zig-zagging them together just as effective? Are there any major differences when the joined pieces are used and quilted in a project (quilt, not table runners, etc.) or the project is laundered? Thanks!

I have pieced batting together by zigzagging. It has held together for me without an issue.

I've zig zagged and so far no problems, knock on wood.

I've done both, I prefer zig zag

I have sewn batting pieces together by hand, zigzagged by machine, and used fusible. Once the batting is inside the quilt I cannot tell that it was pieced by any method. Because of that, I now zigzag all batting by machine, since that's the quickest and easiest for me.

i have used the tape several times.
it's less tedious than hand or machine zig zagging.
it is pretty pricey, though, so whether or not it's worth the cost would depend entirely upon how flexible your budget is.
i save it for those times when i have to do a lot of batting patch-togethers.

i much prefer the zig zagging. i've used the tape and don't think it's worth the expense. if i got the tape because the quilt must be 'nicer', then i'd rather go to the expense of getting the right size of the batting

The tape is simply one-sided fusible cut into strips. If you have a lightweight fusible such as fusible tricot, it's easy to make your own.

I saw a really good tutorial on joining batting....if only I could remember what it was.

I've never joined batting, just figure if I did I'd zig-zag.

Thanks everyone for your responses!

same here.

I've found that butting batting edges together and zig zagging can create a ridge line in your finished quilt. I would also avoid using the tape as it's unclear what the adhesive will do to the cotton fibers of your quilt over time. Plus, if the quilt is minimally quilted, the tape could pull away over time and with repeated washings, causing unwanted lumps in the quilt.

I recommend overlapping your batting pieces 6" or so and cutting an "S" shape through the overlap (or several "S" shapes) if your pieces are long. Remove the excess and butt the curves together, hand stitching with a herringbone stitch. Your splice should be invisible in the finished quilt.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do!

After pricing the fusible tape I zigzag. I put the 2 pieces together and clean cut the edges so they butt up together nice and even.

I zig jag lots of batting bits. Use the large stitch length and width , it goes fast and holds up well.

I've done both ... I'll even zig-zag, at times, after fusing. I've found that either way has worked for me.

I zig zag several pieces together and used most of them. I did find use the same kind of batting when doing this. Don't mix. i had several kinds and separated them in like kinds. I have some of that pricey tape and it was going fast so i switch to zig zag and it works just as good. I butt the two pieces together and use a stitch that is # 8 on my Bernina.

Zig zag for me. I've managed to get some rather large pieces that way.

I found some tricot fusible at a garage sale, about 4 yards for a dollar. I love it for fusing batting. I've hand sewn batting, machine sewn batting, but I like the tricot best.

It's about 7-8 dollars a yard, 60 " wide, comes in three colors, white, black and ivory.
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I started using that fusible tape, but I found that if the edges aren't perfectly straight I ended up with little gaps with no batting in some places. And once it's on, it's on! I don't think it's worth the cost to me to continue using it. Unless I would happen to have a show quilt someday. (!!!)

Before that I used Elmer's glue stick and stuck the pieces together. It sets up pretty fast. Yeah, there's a tiny overlappy ridge, but after the quilt is done and washed it's not bothersome to me. I've even glued multiple chunks together to make the big batting piece.

Before the glue I hand basted with big stitches.

I bought fusible interfacing when Joanns had it for 49 cents a yard (a whole bolt) and cut my own strips to try putting batting together, worked great. I used to zigzag but may do this all the time now as that was pretty cheap and easy!!!

I just cut strips from the Pellon lightweight fusible you get at the chain fabric store using a coupon. Doesn't take any time to cut the strips because accuracy isn't required.. I overlap the pieces to cut so I have an excellent tight fit. I have felt the bulk from the zig zag in a quilt and this method allows no different in the feel of the quilt.

I cut light weight fusible interfacing into 1.5 strips and use it to iron the pieces of batting together.

I lay two leftover pieces of batting on top each other and use the rotary cutter to cut them to be sure they are straight and then butt them together and zizag them together. It works great and is almost relaxing! froggyintexas

This is what I have started doing. I cut my tricot into strips and iron the batting just like the tape. Even better I buy it at 50 or 60% off at JoAnns.

A long whip stitch is about all you're going to need. The quilting will hold everything in place.

I piece batting all the time. I lay the two pieces with a little overlap and cut them so the edges are exactly the same and either whip stitch them together by hand or zig zag on the machine. There is no ridge where they are joined and I've never had a problem with the finished product. I haven't used the tape because once I looked at the price I didn't want to go there.

I have tried the fusible but it doesn't want to stick very good so I like to zigzag which holds the pieces together

I use batting pieces all the time. I spray baste my backing fabric and gently place the batting pieces on it, carefully meeting up the seams. Then I spray baste and place the quilt top. I do FMQ and this works fine for me. Instead of basting tape, you can cut strips of knit fusible, it is the same stuff, if you want to go that route. And I have never noticed a problem when laundering!

I just whip-stitched the batting pieces together by hand and it worked fine.

I use the zig-zag method, and it works great for me.

I zig zag also it works just peachy

If the batting has loft, zigzaging will flatten the loft and show up in the quilt.

I quilt on a tight budget and can not afford to buy everything, so I tried cutting thin strips of thin iron on interfacing. I just press it and off I go! No issues so far.

Absolutely! The tape works wonderfully.. Easier than the zigzag method. No problems when laundered.

I have used leftover pieces of batting many times but never sewed them together. I laid out the backing wrong side up on my table, then laid the pieces on top, pushing all the pieces of batting, sprayed it with basting spray and put the quilt top, right side up, on top of that. Forgot to say, I sprayed the backing with basting spray before placing the batting. Once it was quilted, you could not tell the difference.

I use my edge foot and an overlock stitch and zoom...it holds beautifully and is quick as a wink. Doesn't show either. No overlap, just edge to edge!

ditto!!! Quick and easy peezy, love it.

Easy to zigzag but I did try the tape...no preference...