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I use Thermore, We make a reversible table runner that uses strips. Like this the best light weight & doesn't shrink Pellon has one but was a little thin for my taste. Ok for placemats tho. thermore doesn't stretch as much either.

What type of batting would you recommend using for a quilt that will end up in Arizona? I'd like to find one that is thin and light. Would you recommend a layer of flannel instead of batting?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prism99 (Post 6924942)

I used to use Warm and Natural, but don't any more. Compared to other battings, it is stiff with a stiff drape. I prefer Hobbs 80/20, Mountain Mist 100% cotton blue ribbon batting (thin vintage look), Hobbs PolyDown, or Hobbs wool. All are softer and cozier to wrap around oneself (or a baby).

Thank you! I needed this information. I've always noticed W&N didn't soften when I washed quilts with this batting. I thought it was the machine quilting that caused this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christine- (Post 6926448)

What type of batting would you recommend using for a quilt that will end up in Arizona? I'd like to find one that is thin and light. Would you recommend a layer of flannel instead of batting?

I don't know for certain about Arizona but my daughter used to live there. She now lives in San Jose CA. I made them a Quilt using Quilter's Dream "Dream Orient" batting. They say it is warm in the winter and cool in the summer and so they use it year round.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scissor Queen (Post 6924715)

Warm and Natural is not 100% cotton. It has a poly scrim. The scrim allows you to quilt it up to 10 inches apart. It also makes for a fairly stiff quilt if you quilt it very close. As far as I know W&N is not "pre-shrunk." They really should read the labels on the products they sell.

I have always used W & N as has my mother and have never had a problem. After I finish a quilt, I head down to the local laundromat and wash it in the gentle cycle with cold water. I also have used it on runners and have never had a problem with that either. I love Warm and Natural for mainly that reason.......my Mom said it didn't shrink and it didn't and really, who would know better than one's mother, God rest her quilted soul. Edie

PS - It also could be that I wash them gentle cycle/cold water, too!!!!!!

For tablerunners, I almost always use 'quilters felt", or sometimes called "quilter's fleece. Comes on a bolt, buy by the yard. Makes a stable and flat runner that stays flat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuiltingHaven (Post 6924845)

Okay, here is what I do since I do wash all my fabrics before I use them. I take the Warm and Natural out of the bag and "unfurl" it. Then, I get 5 wash cloths and run them in cold water and wring them out slightly still "dampish". Fling two of them into the empty dryer, put the "unfurled" Warm and Natural batting 1/2 of it in the dryer on top of the first two wash clothes, throw in two more wash clothes on top of that 1/2 and then fold the rest of the Warm and Natural in the dryer, put the final cold wet wash cloth. Set the dryer on low and run the dryer for 20 minutes. Take the batting out and unfurl it on the spare bed or on the clean floor to get the wrinkles out while it is still a tad damp. The wash clothes will also be damp but will have put moisture in the dryer. I consider that probably the batting may have shrunk some and the wrinkles are out of it and it is nice and warm. Hope this helps.

I do the same thing, except I use the wash and wear cycle, which is warmer than the lower cycle, and only do for about 10 minutes. I have a large table (60X80) that I lay it on loosely folded so there is no over hang. It seems to have shrunk up slightly, and lays nice and flat.

I love W&N for table runners. You have to watch using the poly battings if there is a chance someone may use the runner for a hot pad. I have also used the insulbright for table runners for my DD. She loves using them on the dinner table.

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuiltingHaven (Post 6924845)

I'm already exhausted just reading about it.

I pre-shrink my W&N if I want to avoid the crinkle.

I'm brave, I stuff it in to the washer on the rinse cycle. In my machine, it has a part of the cycle where it spins as it's spraying water over the batting; I run it through that part of the cycle a couple times so the whole batting is wet but not soaking wet.

Then I shove it in the dryer on HOT. (Told you, brave!)

It comes out fluffy and soft and all the creases are gone. I've never had trouble with it; no holes, no thin spots, no bearding. Today's battings are pretty rugged things!

I've done this with W&N & with the Pellon "Nature's Touch" Joann's cotton batt and both have held up perfectly fine.

I wouldn't do that process with a cotton batt that didn't have scrim, though. And never tried it with wool or bamboo.

Ok - from what I have seen W&N has 2 types one is 100% cotton and the other is 80/20 however they both feel the same and everything I have seen on them and from my own experiences this is NOT preshrunk

For a table runner or topper I would use Thermore. I have used it a lot on table runners/toppers and even though it is polyester have never had an issue with something hot being placed on it causing a problem.

You will want to preshrink your fabrics also.