I mail order a roll (40 yds) of batting which arrived much thicker than I'd hoped. I didn't see a sample first. After struggling with it for several weeks, I remembered that when I press the binding to the outside, the batting along the side of the quilt compressed and stayed that way until washed. This compressed area was about the width of my iron.

Well, guess what?!? TaDa!!!!!!! I compressed the entire quilt top and the machine quilting went great. The scrim caused the backing and top to stay in place, although I also pin basted. The scrim seemed to act like a light-weight bonder. -- The Quilts of Valor must be laundered before mailing, so the bounce came back. So, if you have more loft than you can deal when puffed up, try the compression "thingy"

Just thought you'd like to know. :wink:

Suzanne

Good tip to keep in mind, thanks for sharing Suz. :) I tend to stay away from batting that has more loft than I can work with when quilting, will have to try this trick on my next project. :)

Thanks Suz! I did know that you can compress the batting with an iron because I did that with one my sister made recently, but I didn't know it would regain it's density when washed, as she is still working on her embellishments and hasn't bound and washed it yet. That is so good to know.

Trial and error. We learn so much that way! Thanks again. :D

Great Tip! Does this only work with cotton batting, or with cotton/poly and 100% polyester, too?

Amma,

I forgot to mention that the batting I used was 100% poly. I will try it with a blend and let you know how I make out. If anyone else tries a blend and it compresses, please let us know.

Suzanne

I wonder if you iron the whole sandwich, then quilt does it make your stitches tighter after it's washed? I'm going to have to try this, I love the look of a high loft batt it's so hard to work with and mine always looks baggy. If you can flatten it and it sews like a low loft then puffs back up when it's washed I'll bet it would be perfect. Thanks so much for figureing that out for us.

Admin. could we have a TIPS section? You know we can't remember them all and sometimes we know we heard a real good but just can't remember what it was about (at least I'm that way). If we had a section we could scroll through and see things like "thread tricks" or "how to handle batting" it would be easier than SEARCH because that brings up every topic with that word not just the tips.

All in favor say TIPS!

I like the idea of a tips section, Kathy. I am in favor.

Mary

That's a great suggestion kathy. I'd love to have them all placed in their own forum.

I would love a TIPS section... :lol:

Thank you Suz for the reply, I will keep this in mind as my youngest daughter loves the high loft and I was wondering about how to quilt it.


I would love a tips section, too! Great Idea :D

TIPS!!!!!!!! I was going to put them altogether, but the needle is stuck to my hand and won't come out..........we need the tips section, puleeseeeeee

yes, please :!: , please :!: , please :!:

That's a great idea!!! A Tips section to the forum would be very handy for many of us. Please consider it.

Connie

Today, I compressed the entire poly batting (approx. 50" x 60") before starting my machine quilting. I positioned the back first, pressed from the backing side, flipped it over (the backing stayed in place w/o pins) and then pressed from the top side with the top in place. Worked great!!! I then pin basted. It was a little stiff but manageable.

Guys and Gals, it is working wonderfully. We are onto something here!!!! I am anxious for someone else to try this.

I like to use a heavier loft for a baby quilt and this process should work in order to quilt by machine. So far, I have just tied them. Now I am wondering how hand quilting would work.

Again, just thought you'd like to know. Suzanne

TIPS,,,,,,,,,,,,,,WOW 2 great ideas on 1 thread, thats a double for your money. So to speak.
There are so many wonderful tips, info, and guidance here. The tip section would be hit on alot, Like a mini library. And the batting info, is really a keeper. Thanks for your sharing. This is one I won't forget.

Thank you Suz! That's so good to know.

Just read your tip. Good one! I have had the problem before and now I am excited to give your tip a try. Thanks

Thanks for the update! I think I am going to give this a try now too! :D

This also works great if you have just taken any batting out of the package and it looks all wrinkled and such. Throw it in the dryer for about 10 minutes and it will come out looking beautiful. Yes, fluffy at that time but at least it is all the same fluff. This works for ALL kinds of batting and also shrinks it a bit. THEN, you can do the ironing. I think they need to invent something like a square iron with a 9" by 12" base? NO, not like the clam one with the hinge. Just a bigger based iron! Uh, lightweight of course! :lol:

Speaking of irons. I had a Rowenta too! And lilke you...it was almost worthless. I thought for the money I was getting top of the line. :roll: HA! When that one crapped out, I got a Black and Decker. I absolutely love it. Talk about steam....almost a safety hazard! Very hot and it even has a few bells and whistles. Got it off of Amazon.com for about $45 and free shipping! The one I got is called the Digital Advantage and it is the D2030 type. It even fell it off the ironing board...I picked it up and started ironing again. Never bothered it a bit! So that is my review today!

:cry: Wyyyyy wish I'd known this before quilting my RedHat Lap maybe it wouldn't be such mess now. I'll have to keep this IN mind from now on, now that will be a real trick. :shock:

I, too, fell for the Rowenta hipe. QVC was really pushing this brand. I've had two of those costing over $100 thinking they would be superior. NOT !!! They are a hunk of junk. I also had one costing about $35 which was much better than the other two.

I now have two Black & Deckers that turn off when I forget to unplug it and they steam very well. Cost was about $20 and when one blows, I'll buy another B&D. I have one in the sewing room (actually my playroom in the basement) and the other is in the bedroom (second story) where we keep the ironing board.

Suzanne

I can't wait to try compressing the batting. That makes so much sense.

Tips! Please, please, please!!!!

Wonderful news, Suz! Thanks for tracking down this posting to update us.

Doncha think the new moderator might help with getting a Tips Forum?????
:evil:

Can I tell you about my best quilting buddie's granddaughter? She is truly a sweetheart, a good girl, good student, good daughter/ granddaughter and my friend.

Carly graduated from high school, spent two years at a community college, and one day came home and announced she had joined the U.S. Marine Corps. She had attended the graduation of her stepbrother earlier which really impressed her. She did her basic training and came home buff and strong although there was no sign of fat on this young lady when she entered the Corps. Then off to specialized training in security. Graduated and applied for three duty stations.

Then another duty stationed was announced. Carly applied, tested, interviewed and was chosen. Carly flies with Air Force One.

I have little respect for this president as a man, although I respect the office/position. And I know Carly will do her job to protect him when they travel within the US and afar. We are all so proud of her.

Suzanne

Go Carly........

I'm thinkin' ... I'm thinkin' :roll:

Trying to figure out a way to have a place for tips that won't end up like all the other sections. Things have a way of getting buried on back pages. Once somethng slops to Page 2, it might as well not be there because so few people search before asking, we end up sharing the same tips over and over.

You bad girl for trying to make me feel guilty. :wink: