Problem W/Hobbs Wool batting
 

I bought a bag of Hobbs 100% Wool batting and took it to use on a quilt today. Note that this is the FIRST quilt that I am making that I am KEEPING (hence the wool cause I'm worth it <g>), and the first quilt I'm loading on my long arm.

I made new leaders for my long arm (with zippers!) and spent the better part of the morning getting those lined up and secured on the poles. Loaded my quilt back - nice and straight - everything is going well. I open the bag of batting and ... horrors.

I can only imagine that when they rolled it and stuffed it in the bag that one area got stretched and now I have these huge "balloons" on every other fold. I can't get them to lay down. The part that balloon's out is very thin. See attached pic's. The first is the batting laying on top of my long arm, the second is the part that is hanging down (I am floating this quilt).

Fortunately I had more batting that I was able to load up and got the quilt started, but it's 80/20 and darn it ... I REALLY wanted that wool batting!!

Any idea if this batting can be saved?

One thing I know ... I doubt I will NEVER buy packaged batting again. I'll get it off the roll.

phooey.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]453037[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]453038[/ATTACH]</g>

Try putting it in the dryer on low heat or just air. I know it works with poly and W and N batting. Shake it out so all the folds are unfolded and put in the dryer for about 20 minutes.

Contact the company with your pictures. They should replace it since it is clearly defective. (Now I'm wondering about the package in my closet!)

Thanks Ladies ... I'll try the dryer tomorrow. And thanks Tartan ... I hadn't thought of using it with another batting.

Oh my, ain't nothing easy!! Hope the dryer solves your problem!

I would spray the thin folds with water before putting in the dryer. The dryer alone will smooth out most battings, but I'm thinking misting the areas that are thin may help the batting shrink a little (and become more dense) where needed. If that doesn't work, I would definitely contact the company.

Can you block a batting? I've blocked lots of quilt tops and blocks. Basically, I get it completely wet, nudge everything into place, and then pin it to a sheet taped to the floor. Pin it squarely! Then let it dry. Otherwise I'd just send it back to the company for refund.

I've used many hobbs wool battings and have never had one come out of the package looking like that- never that thin- where in the world did you buy it? I would contact that company. the wool battings I purchase are lofty- sometimes they do have 'puff' to them, but ones I start quilting with them they lay right & quilt beautifully. I either buy my hobbs wool battings from the local quilt shop or on occasion from Connecting Threads. I also love the Dream Wool battings. I've never seen one so thin- the great thing about wool batting (to me) is the loftiness even though lightweight. I would definitely by contacting where it was purchased.

I would contact the company. Maybe they will be able to help you!

i second ck. mine haven't ever looked like that. i often lay them out for a night or two before using them, but something has gone wrong in the packaging of the lot yours came from.

so sorry!

aileen

Hobbs prides itself on customer service, so much so that they publicly publish ways to get a hold of the top dogs. Contact them! http://www.hobbsbondedfibers.com/team.html

I ALWAYS bought Hobbs 80/20 on the roll. Try the above suggestions. With the cotton batting, I use to lightly spray it and then place it in the dryer on low heat. NOT sure if you can do that with wool. Since it is Christmas eve day, you might check their website. PM me if you need a contact person and phone number.

I got bad batting from Hobbs. I called them up and they wanted a "sample " of the bad batting. I sent it to them and they sent me another package! Great customer service. I always let my batting "relax" over nite or put it in the dryer with a damp towl for about 10 minutes to get the wrinkles out. I FMQ on my domestic machine so I am not sure if this is the way you all do it when using a LA.

I have not had a Hobbs batting look like that... I have had a few inexpensive poly battings that look like that. As the others said, I would contact the manufacture.

I agree with bigsister63. I have now used the wool batting as well as warm and natural cotton batting. The day before I am going to need it, I dampen a towel and put the batting and towel in the drying for 10-20 minutes on low (I check it out, take it out and readjust it, put it back in 3 times during the cycle) and take it out immediately at the 20 minute time and lay it out (on the spare bed or on the floor of my quilting room) to relax a bit before it has to go through the quilting procedure. I have had very good luck doing it this way, sorry about your experience.

I have had one 80/20 like that, it was purchased at the LQS and I took it back and they gave me another one. I use a lot of it (at least 8 a month) and that is honestly the only time I have ever had an issue. I mentioned that I didn't want them to get stuck and they said no problem, that they would get it replaced free so they weren't out anything.

I would send it back or same here. Wait for their suggestions and go from there.

I would contact the company with those pictures BEFORE doing another thing to that batting!

I, too, would contact Hobbs. Also, I would NOT do anything to the batt...you want it to look the way it came from the bag so Hobbs can see the problems themselves. Do you still have the bag it came in? Sometimes there may be lot numbers or production numbers that companies want to try and track problems (having never used Hobbs, I don't know if they do this). Good luck and let us know the outcome.


Anita

I have used Hobbs cotton and that's how it came out of bag both times. I am VERY dissatisfied with Hobbs Cotton, so I will only use Warm/Natural or Warm/White for cotton batting from now on. Hobbs 80/20? It's ok in my book.

I have been using Hobbs batting for a few years now and still love it. I do however put it in the dryer on fluff for about 20 - 30 mins and take it out right away and lay it on the bed to cool. Sometimes I will put in washing machine and soak for a couple of minutes and spin out on gentle and then put it in the dryer to dry. I do this if I don't want it to shrink in my quilt and have the old look, as I prewash my fabric. It all depends on what project I am doing.