Unusual batting.
 

Just when you think you have heard of every type of batting used for quilts, you learn of a new one. Recently a person told me about guana sacks. She said they washed them out and put them in the middle of the quilt. She swears it made for a very warm quilt. Has anyone else heard of this?

No I have never heard this.

I think she's referring to gunny sacks or burlap bags used for grains. Referring back to the original repurposing of clothes for quilts, I can see where these bags would be used. They may add warmth to a quilt as the weave is open to help trap warm air. (I'm guessing these could be comfortable for a spring/fall quilt or a quilt for southern US winters.)

From what I can find on the internet, guano sacks are sacks that fertilizers come in, and apparently people clean them and then use them for all kinds of things. Someday in the future quilters may be searching for them just as we look for old flour bags.:eek:

That is very unusual. Thanks for sharing!!

Well, in the old days, when the pioneers were making quilts, they would often times use leaves, hay and whatever they had on hand to fill the quilts. I guess you can use almost anything for the inside of a quilt, as long as it does fall apart with use.

Maybe I'm mixing up names, but isn't bat poo poo called guano?

I hope the sacks were WELL washed... I've always thought guano was bat byproducts from eating all the bugs they eat...and it stinks to high heaven!!!!!

if they are talking about what we called "gunny" sacks, I can't see how anyone would want on near them. For starters, they smell. Another thing, they are very coarsely woven, they might shrink up a bit if washed. But then I can't quite picture them holding together to wash.

Well this is news. Guano is indeed poop. If that's the case I've got three dogs making "batting" in my backyard right now. I think I'll pass. :)