Space Saver bags for storing batting
 

I haven't seen this as a question but if there is already a thread --- let me know.

Has anyone used the space saver bags to store batting for later use?
If so, did the batting come back to the original loft? Did you leave batting in
the factory plastic bags and put it in the space saver or take it out of plastic?
I currently use large plastic totes and they take up so much space.

Maybe someone has better ways of storing batting. I would really like some ideas.
I've put a bed back in my "quilt room" so I do need help.

I buy batting by the roll, usually wool and leave it standing in a corner some where. I try to pretend like I don't see it but my studio is out of control right now.

I have been thinking the same thing. I clear out a closet after finishing a couple charity quilts, but have had 40% off coupons to use and bought more batting. So I to will be watching this thread.

I did use them for left over batting and it all seemed to come back to the original loft. Never measured it, so can't sa for sure. I quit using the bags, they didn't seem to last like they show on TV.

I buy in bulk and yes, I store the battings in these space bags. THe batting comes out fine! I store all types, wool, cotton, silk, and 80/20. Keeps them neat and compact!

I have never thought of using these bags and will look into this myself. I currently store my batting in a shelf above my windows in my quilting room. I had left over closet metal shelving the grate type you can see through and put a shelf along the whole wall above my windows. Its high and out of the way but batting is so light and in packages and with the see through shelves I can just look up to see what I have.

Never thought of it but any idea that helps to keep "all things quilting" under control sounds good to me. Thanks for the inquiry.

I have never done this, it's good to know its an option. It's a shame we can't put all our fabric in these bags! Imagine all the fabric we could store...........lol

the last 3 sets of Space bags I bought (at one time) would not hold for more than the time it took me to put them in my sewing room. Still make good storage-------------just won't suck up.

That is interesting, would probably work well for fleece too.

I like the idea of using Space Bags but when I bought them, I had a lot of trouble with them. The zippers pop open and break easily. Then when I did get one with a working zipper, the suction wouldn't hold for more than a few minutes. It's a great idea, just not a great product I'm afraid.

This may sound like "misery liking company" but my batting is also standing in the corner and with 6 projects going at for Christmas, my quilt room is beyond out of control.....I think it's reached the hysterical stage. I did put batting in a Space Bag a while ago but the vacuum didn't hold. I think the newer ones are better. My SIL stores all her off season bedding in them including pillows and they fluff right back up. Hey...maybe I could put the whole sewing room in one....

I think that's a great idea! I've got lots of those bags and I've been trying to figure how to store my batting in something besides a free-standing garment bag. If your concerned about it bouncing back you could put it in the dryer to "fluff" it up.

I have used these bags (and similar ones) to store batting and fabric. Works great if I didn't have to move them around to search for a particular fabric. Then sometimes the bag rips or come open. I can't repack them several times also. My clear totes work better when I have to open them frequently for finding fabric, but the storage bags condense more.

I have tried to use Space bags multiple times and have never had any luck. They never stay flat like the commercials, and they also tend to get brittle. I do like using those heavy plastic bags with the real zippers that you get with comforters or blankets sometimes. They seem to hold up well.

Yes... I use the space bags for my batting. I went to their official website and they were (may still be) running a special with x large bags. Works great and it gives me more room for my stash!!

Now this is a great idea! So much space is needed to store stuff when you're quilting. This gets the batting out of the way and stored under your bed or something. Thanks for the idea. If the batting didn't come back it would if you toss it in the dryer for a few minutes!

Thank you everyone, for so many ideas and responses. I currently have two bags full of quilts.
They seem to be holding up. Best of all the quilts are stored away from wood and dust. I think
I will try a bag for batting. If that doesn't work, I will try some of the ideas you all have shared.
I'll let you know what happens.
Thanks again,

Janjer, let us know how it works for you. I, like several others, have not had really good luck with the bags. They seem to "go bad" quickly and open up or they lose their ability to keep the stuff flat.

I have used the space bags for batting -- what I have noticed is that my whole house vaccuum is too strong for them, but I find that I can roll them up and get most of the air out. They hold well and the batting pops back. I use them for storing non-down comforters as well.

Ok, here's what I did with the space bags.
i bought the under bed storage bags (sold on QVC) since they are in fabric "boxes".
In one bag I put batting like the warm and natural that is NOT in plastic manufacturer bags. It sucked down and I zipped the outer bag shut. I noticed after a day or two the contents had increased in size but was not causing the fabric top to begin bulging.
In the other bag I put batting that comes rolled up in a plastic manufacturers bag. I did open the individual bags but left the batting inside. It did not suck down as tightly, nor did it stay down as well. The zipped shut fabric bag began to bulge by the following day. I think the fabric outer bag has made a little difference in how much the bag will expand. I will keep them, because they stack under my long arm table so they are out of the way.
I have a huge roll of warm and natural. My husband got a long piece of 4" PVC pipe and 2 car jacks and made a stand for the roll. He put the pipe through the center of the roll of batting and then set it under my quilting table on the two car jacks. That works ok. It isn't as secure as the fancy roll holders you buy with the longarm machine, but it works just as well.

Thanks everyone for helping me.
I hope this is helpful to someone out there.
Isn't this a great place for getting good advice!

Good to know. I bought a bunch of batting at the last JoAnn's sale and now it's covering the closet floor. Of course, the cats like it to sleep on!

I had not thought of that but I am certainly going to try it. I have batting under tables all over and this would be a great way to control it.

hello, i have discovered that changing the way i filled my original space saver storage bags made them stay flatter.
i needed batting for a quilt so i took a bag from one of the space saver "suitcases". while the "suitcase"
was open, i took all the batting OUT of its original manufacturer's plastic bag. then i put it back in the space saver and
sucked out the air. the whole contents went down much flatter than it had before and stayed down.
i think the original manufacturer's plastic bags didn't let all the air out and that is what kept that "suitcase"
bag from really getting flat.

Wonder if there is a 'good-better-best' quality/brand of the space saver bags?

I have purchased the space bags as well. I did not have success. I put my MILs crocheted afghans into them; but within minutes the air is back. So did not save me space. Would love to know if I am doing something wrong. Thanks, T

I don't know about quality of any particular brand. I like the bags with the softer 'zipper'. I also like the looks of the bags with the fabric covering. I liked the size and look of the 'under bed bags' since they would be visible under my quilting table.
I have also found I can suck out air and store small projects and fabric in Hefty's Jumbo Zip Top bags. I fill it up, zip it almost shut (leave about 2-3 inches open) then I lay it on a table top and lean as much air out as I can. If leaning on it doesn't work, I roll it up to get air out. They stay pretty flat, too, so I guess the most important thing is to get the air out and shut quick.

I have tried the "space" bags a few times for storage of clothes, blankets, etc. Every time I go to get them out they are full size again and my sweaters all smelled and had to be cleaned. As far as I'm concerned, they are a waste of money and don't work! Just my experience hope someone else has better luck.

My vacuum hose does not fit the opening on the space bags but I have heard most of the same comments as on here, they fill back up with air and don't stay flat. For bags that won't stay flat, I would use the Target under bed plastic zipper bags. They are huge and really sturdy, and much cheaper than space bags.

I buy ziplock with handle type bags at the $ Store. I can get 3 L or 2 XL or 1 XXL for a $1 a box. They work great to hold my batting!!!

Sure. Works great. Not a problem with the loft either. The batting is often stored pretty tight in those bags in the first place which is why you have to let it breathe before using it. The space bags only work for about 5-6 months. Then you have to suck all the air out again.

The only difficulty that I have with storing leftovers is that you keep having to open it to see what is inside or you go out and buy more. For this reason, my scraps are now being kept in several boxes on the top shelf of my closet - available for use right away so that I can get them used down.