I am in love with the idea of bamboo or soy batting. Has anyone used them? How did they quilt? How did they do as far as warmth? Anything else?
Ellen

This has come up a few time go to the up and click on search and type in bamboo or soy batting. There is alot of infromation on them.

It is soooo expensive where I live, it is not an option.

Too spendy for me too :(

I've never heard of soy batting. Is there anything that can't be made from soy??!! :lol: I can't believe how versatile it is -- so many things can be made from it! I'll be interested in the postings regarding it. :wink:

Keep in mind that bamboo usually is not the natural bamboo fiber - that would not be soft. Bamboo actually is a highly processed fiber. In fact the Federal Trade Commission now states bamboo should be called "rayon made from bamboo" since it is essentially the same process as rayon made from cotton or other cellulose plant scrap. Thus, bamboo batting is actually rayon batting made from bamboo - thus the softness.

Here is a link
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2010/02/bamboo.shtm

Thanks for this information, I know the new thing is bamboo but the price is out there. I always wait for the product to prove itself and wear out the "new" so the price will go down.

Can't use anything SOY... Daughter is highly allergic to it.

Bamboo batting involves highly toxic processes so it is not the "environmentally friendly" batting many think it to be. That's one reason why I won't buy it.

There was a booth a the sewing and quilt show I went to last weekend that had both bamboo and soy batting. I loved the feel of bamboo, but boy was it pricey. I can't imagine how expensive it would be to do a large quilt with it.

A little too new for me. Would like to find out how they hold up over time and in the wash first. My favorite is still Warm and Natural.

it's a bit to rich for my pocket too

I was on the fence but now it's a must try.

I wonder how well it handles heat. I like Warm 'n Natural but it's not 100% cotton so I still have flings with other materials.

I agree with the others here. I don't want to be one of the guinea pigs that use and find out the bad things about it. I've always loved the tried and true ones, but will use new things if I think they are worth the elevated prices.

I used a bamboo batting in a lap quilt recently. It was lovely to work with, the final product, heavily free motion quilted, had a lovely drape, was lightweight, but warm. I really liked it, but will not use it often, mostly because of the cost.

I read recently that the toxic processing has been improved upon to be significantly more green. If the reports of increases in cotton prices are true, it may be that bamboo becomes a strong alternative.

RST

I've used both, bamboo and soy blended 50/50 with cotton. Both are easy to needle while handquilting, they drape lovely and for warmth they seem to be comparable with cotton batting.
One disadvantage for the brands I used is that both are very fuzzy, so I will not use them again with dark fabrics. The soy batting tends to beard a little.

Tried bamboo batting and will never use it again. It comes through when pinning or quilting - especially noticeable on dark fabrics. It flies around and gets in your nose and clothes. Yuk! Only advantage is it's very soft. Don't know about warm.

I LOVE THE BAMBOO BATTINGS!!! they are wonderful to work with, around here i can get them for the same prices as the 'dream' batt's; and they are wonderful. needle beautifully, great loft, launder well. no weird smells or any issues. i use it as often as i can.
and people always seem to go back to...horrible chemical processing...well, guess what people pretty much every fiber goes through some sort of horrible chemical processing if it is manufactured so i wish they would stop picking on the bamboos. it is a sustainable fiber and worth trying. another batting i tried and really like is the 'green-batting' it is made from recycled bottles (oh no more processing) it is just like using fleece as a batting.(and lots of people love fleece but ignore the fact it is made from the exact same processing and materials) the only problem i had with that batting is...it's green...so you don't want to use it in light/white quilt, it may show through. but i say, you should try every batting you come across that you can afford and keep a little 'journal' so you can keep track of the batts you love (and the price) and the ones you hate. we all have our own feelings, likes and dislikes. i am one who's favorites in order are...
1. WOOL DREAM BATTING
2. DREAM POLY
3. DREAM COTTON/ WARM & NATURAL (its a tie)
4. BAMBOO
5. DREAM GREEN- GREEN BATT
HOBBS HEIRLOOM BLACK

I just received a package of Thermore batting. I can't believe how THIN it is! (Can we say - paper?) I haven't read the package to see if there are any special instructions, but I am planning on using it to hand quilt my Dear Jane Quilt as soon as I can get that Baby finished. The quilt top is so heavy that I didn't want anything with weight or bulk, & Connecting Threads is having a 30% off sale on batting. Was ordering some batiks and added batting to get free shipping. Any comments on Thermore?

Kathy

I've never understood the interest in bamboo batting. Cotton is a renewable resource and as eco-friendly as bamboo. It's also much less expensive batting. However, I do understand the interest in bamboo flooring. Bamboo grows much faster than trees and is considered more eco-friendly for flooring. But just as bamboo matures every year, so does cotton.

Were you at San Mateo? I was there too!

I was under the impression that Warm and Natural was 100% cotton?

I found a 100% bamboo that I am loving. Yes it does "rub" off a little. But that can be fixed after I am done with the binding. i have done one small quilt with it that I am getting ready to finish the binding for. I loved how it quilted up on that project and I am working on an over sized twin for my son with the bamboo batting. I really love the fact that it is anti-bacterial. that is the main purpose that I got it. It really feels great so far. If I were you, I would get a small amount and give it a try. You might like it and it will eventually go down in price. like all new fads out there it will get cheaper.

it is actually not 100% cotton can't remember the actual mix of it but there are also chemicals on it as well. but then again there are chemicals in and on everything we could ever have. if you have the paper it does say it on there. that is why you are not supposed to use it in the microwave potato bags i believe.

I have used bamboo batting for handquilting and had no problems with it. I purchased it at Joanns with my 40 or 50% off coupon. I would think it is easier to grow and requires less pest control than cotton. The harvesting would probably be easier as it doesnt have to be plucked or carded afterward.

i have used bamboo batting and bamboo fabrics, i love both! very very soft, needles wonderfully washes well (so far) :thumbup: i have not tried the soy yet

Did a search for Warm & Natural. This is from the Warm Company site:

Warm & Natural is the best it's ever been!
Yes, you can believe your eyes! The nation's leading cotton quilt batting is now better than ever. We've managed to improve on the best and we're grinning from ear to ear. It is easy to see why once you take a look for yourself.

•Our new ultra-cleaning process extracts a greater percentage of leaves and stems. Virtually unblemished, Warm & Natural batting looks its Sunday best.
•Our newly refined needlepunch technique better distributes the cotton on both sides of the scrim.
•Tiny tangles called neps, which once led to dull needles, are nearly eliminated.
•Warm & Natural needled cotton still uses no chemicals, glues, or resins, so you know that it is gentle enough for even the youngest child.
Quite a list, especially when you consider how great Warm & Natural cotton quilt batting was to begin with! Strong, durable, unbeatably soft, bright, balanced, clean, and 100% guaranteed. Improved Warm & Natural is as exceptional as it sounds. You are going to love it!
The same unbeatable standards!

•Will not separate or bunch
•Contains no glue or resins
•Quilt or tie up to 10" apart
•Will not beard
•Fabric naturally clings to batting
•Gives an antique look
•Now easier to hand quilt
•Makes an unique exterior fabric
•Gives character to soft sculpture dolls
•Dyes easily
•Keeps its shape wash after wash
•Ideal for any creative project


Perfect for your creative projects
You can see and feel the difference Warm & Natural adds to your artistry. Create magnificent quilts, decorative wall hangings, and wonderful wearable art.

The batting's durability and versatility also makes it ideal for an exterior craft fabric.

Use Warm & Natural cotton batting to add character to your soft sculpture creations.

Try dying, tea and coffee staining, and even painting Warm & Natural to give an antique appearance, add vibrant color or give a unique texture to your dolls.


The soft, natural cotton goes through a gentle mechanical cleaning to pick out cotton plant and seed remnants. The tiny plant particles that remain lend a special look to crafts when used as an exterior fabric and will not damage your fabric when used in your quilt. Shrinkage will be about 3% with your first washing. Many quilters prefer not to pre-wash to achieve the unique effect created by the slight shrinkage of the batting when the completed quilt is washed. Please follow these directions if you wish to pre-wash your batt:
1.Hand wash in a basin or tub with a mild detergent. Do not agitate or spin in your washing machine.
2.Soak for 20 minutes, then rinse several times.
3.Squeeze water out. Rolling in a towel will help to remove excess water.
4.Dry in a cool or warm dryer or allow to dry flat.
Once quilted Warm & Natural cotton batting can be machine washed again and again without fear of separation or bunching.

100% cotton fibers are punched with hundreds of needles into a strong, thin base material to prevent tearing, shifting or migration.

The needling process holds the fibers together without glue or resins. The evenly layered fibers stay in place inside your quilt even with generations of washings.


Warm & Natural is available in 34", 45", 90", and 124" widths by the yard.

It is also available in the following cut sizes:
•King Size 124" x 120"
•Queen Size 90" x 108"
•Full Size 84" x 96"
•Twin Size 72" x 90"
•Baby Size 45" x 60"
•Craft Size 34" x 45"

Part 2 - FAQs:

Do I need to pre-wash Warm & Natural before I use it?
You don't need to pre-wash Warm & Natural before using it. However, the batting will shrink approximately 3% the first time it is washed. You will need to pre-wash Warm & Natural if you wish to pre-shrink it. Otherwise your quilt will have a slight "pucker" look that nicely shows off your quilting once it is washed. For more information about care instructions see Warm & Natural page.

Can I pre-wash Warm & Natural in my washing machine?
Some people have successfully pre-washed Warm & Natural in their washing machine. However, since the natural cotton fibers have not been chemically treated, we do not recommend machine-washing Warm & Natural before it is quilted. The fibers may cling to each other and pull the batting apart during the spin cycle. Once quilted the fibers are protected by your fabric and you can confidently machine wash your quilts and wearables.

Will the cotton seeds in the batt stain my quilt?
Our manufacturing process includes a special cleaning to prevent oil stains from appearing on your quilt. Seed, stem and leaf remnants are mechanically "picked" out of the cotton fiber. The tiny plant particles that give Warm & Natural its character for soft sculpture dolls are quilt friendly.

Is there a top and bottom side to Warm & Natural?
Yes. The side with "flecks" (plant and leaf particles) is the top side. The whiter side is the bottom side. If you iron a quilt or wearable made with Warm & Natural, press with the top side toward the iron and make sure your iron is on a low setting. If you make a white quilt consider quilting with Warm & Natural bottom side up.

My comment on the above:

No where do they mention what the "scrim" is made from. Since they keep saying 100% cotton, are we to "assume" the scrim is 100% cotton also?

I love W&N, both flavors. Never noticed one side whiter than the other. I have noticed that one side is bumpier than the other.

Years ago, there was a special on one of the TV quilt or craft shows that mentioned how W&N employs mentally challenged individuals - i.e., Down's Syndrome patients. They featured one young man who was so very proud of his work cutting and folding the batts. He made you just want to squeeze the stuffing out of him! So cute.

I'm lovin' the Thermore batt I put in my Baby Jane quilt. There is so much fabric on the back of those blocks that I didn't want anything of thickness to make the quilting harder. I'm stitching away and love the Thermore. It only comes in queen size, though.

There is brand here in Germany by "Freudenberg", all their products are available under the name "Vlieseline". They have a cotton batting very similar to the Warm & Natural batting and it's also made with a scrim. Somewhere I read that this material is Polypropylene - a synthetic material. Maybe they use it also for the W&N.

Recently, I used Fusi-Boo fusible batting for some small quilts and table runners. First time using a fusible batting for me, so I can't compare it to others fusible battings. I found it easy to work with. I did have to repress from time to time since it pulled away from the fabric (don't know if that was due to my starching the material for piecing). I was able to pick this up at JoAnn's during a sale for 40% off. I would not use this fusible batting for any large projects because of having to repress. I did like the feel and had no problems machine quilting on my vintage Singers.

Avoid bamboo like the plague. Perhaps I used a cheap one but the bearding was really serious and I'm going to have to vacuum the quilt to try and get it clean!

I know we started this thread a while back, but I have read up on the process for making bamboo into batting or yarn and it requires nasty chemicals and unfortunately I don't think it is anywhere as eco-friendly and organic cotton....I do want to try the batting made from recycled plastic bottles however.... Bummer about the bamboo....anyone have any other ideas?

I know we started this thread a while back, but I have read up on the process for making bamboo into batting or yarn and it requires nasty chemicals and unfortunately I don't think it is anywhere as eco-friendly and organic cotton....I do want to try the batting made from recycled plastic bottles however.... Bummer about the bamboo....anyone have any other ideas?

Just ordered some soy/cotton so will see what that's like. Unfortunately they all have scrim. The bamboo did feel nice and had a lovely drape but...

I use both Bamboo and Warm n Natural and they are similar to work with. I LOVE the smell of the bamboo. It does stick to batiks and make it hard to sandwich...I used a batik backing once...that was a lot of work.

Quite agree. I'm just finishing a quilt for which I used 50/50 cotton/bamboo. The backing is a plain dark brown and is covered in bits of fluff from the batting, and it's coming through onto the front as well. Terrible stuff - will never use it again.