I've only been using Warm and Natural, the off white stuff, but now am working on a very WHITE quilt, and want to use a white batting - ready to go to the store, and not sure what to get, I'm willing to try somthing different. I will be machine quilting on my domestic machine - this will be a large Queen quilt :roll: :wink: Thank you all for any input you can give!

Warm and White might be a good choice since you are used to the Warm and Natural. Warm and White does not shrink, is easy to measure and cut.

So if I understand you, warm and white does not shrink like warm and natural? That would make sense because of the extra processing for the bleaching step.

Yes, they both shrink equally ...
Warm & White = 3%
Warm & Natural = 3%
Warm Blend = less than 1%
Soft & Bright = 0%

For more info and to compare further, you could go to their site --
http://www.warmcompany.com/

I use both warm products with no problem. They are the most available here because they are sold at Joann's. I think the batting I really like best is Dream blend but it is not available around here.

I agree with everyone else that warm and white sounds good for your project.

I don't know about Warm and White. I no longer use Warm and Natural because I don't like the stiffness of the drape. In general I stay away from battings that are needlepunched through scrim for that reason.

Hobs 80/20 is a wonderful batting if you like a little loft. It is very soft and machine quilts beautifully. Shrinkage is about 3%, which is a typical shrinkage amount for the soft crinkled look in quilts.

Quilter's Dream cotton is a flatter batting that is also very good. 3% shrinkage. It is needlepunched, but not through scrim, which makes the cotton stable but not stiff. It is typically a lower loft than Hobbs 80/20.

My personal favorite is Mountain Mist Blue Ribbon 100% cotton batting. This is a very traditional thin batting that is not needlepunched, so it needs to be quilted very closely (about 2 inches apart). This batting produces a quilt very similar to antique quilts.

All of these battings are easy to machine quilt. The cotton in them helps the batting "stick" to the fabric so you don't get shifting. They also take spray basting easily (a big plus for me!).

These are the only three brands of batting I will purchase. There may be other good ones out there, but I've noticed that many of the "off" brands, including generic ones on rolls in the store, often don't feel right to me. I don't want to go to a lot of work only to be unhappy with the batting quality.

dream poly is a wonderful batt to work with- warm & white is ok too- dream orient, dream bamboo- are 2 more good white choices....read the packages and choose the batting that fits into your (quilting plan) since some need to be quilted closer/denser than others- they shrink at different rates, have different (loft) and care instructions- you need to choose the one that will fit your project.
i love all of the batts from the dream company- the dream poly, orient, bamboo and cotton are all wonderful batts to work with-and create wonderful quilts-

I, too, have switched from Warm Company products to Quilter's Dream. I don't use poly at all, but really like their natural battings...wool, bamboo and cotton.

Batting choice is a very personal and project oriented decision. There is not simply one "best" batting.

I love the Quilter's Dream batting too...usually use the Select weight...I mostly use the cotton...or the cotton/poly blend...and have a wool one waiting to use on the perfect quilt...when I figure out which one that is.

You will get lots of answers here. As a long arm quilter I personally hate Warm and Natural (it's like quilting through cardboard) but will use it if a customer brings it to me. I've used Hobb's and Quilter's Dream and have been happy with them but am going with Pellon Legacy brand of battings - love them! I will not use Fairfield or Mountain Mist products in my long arm business. Good luck experimenting and trying out what you like and don't like!

Some time back, I went to Hancocks_paduccah.com and got their batting samples, which were very helpful to me.

If you are concerned about shrinkage, you might like to use a poly product. I prewash all my fabrics and am not particularly fond on the rumpled look of traditional quilts. I love Hobbs Thermore, as it is very easy to baste, and is extra warm. Sometimes I appreciate the 10" spread on quilting with it. I buy it by the case because I do lots of quilts.

I agree that there is no perfect batting as it really depends on your desired result. I use Hobbs Polydown for my quilts that will be washed frequently and get hard use (baby, kid, camp or college). It machines quilts beautifully and is easy to handle and doesn't shrink. Charismah on this board uses it all the time and she does amazing work.

http://www.quiltersbee.com/qbfabtip.htm

Is an interesting read.

piney

Are these available by the yard in stores?

piney

I don't think so. I've always seen Hobb's and QD only in packages. Don't know about Pellon Legacy.

I use warm and white with my quilts that have a white background. It works great. I use warm and natural for others. I love the warm and natural/white products.

I have always used W&N however just ordered some Hobbs 80/20. Will use it on my next quilt and see how I like it.

Quilters Dream Cotton.
It's my favorite you will find it a Quilt Shops.

I bought a bolt (30 yards)of pellon legacy from the local quilt shoppe by special order. It is so convenient to cut off the size necessary and not have so many pieces to be sewn together later

Warm and natural has a warm and white, it would be perfect for your project!

By the yard, yes. Online, yes. In stores, maybe not. Check local longarmers, as some LAers are selling battings by the yard online. (replies are for all three brands)

I keep Warm and White on hand for projects such as wallhangings and bags.
I prefer Quilters Dream for bedding quilts, Select brand for Summer quilts and Deluxe for winter quilts. It is more expensive but when it comes to something I'm going to sleep under or give to someone else to sleep under coupled with how much money i've sunk in the quilt already, it seems like a good bet to spend the extra money if you can.

Thanks for this info. I use Warm and Natural, but have never tried Warm Blend or Soft & Bright.

I'm curious as to what the space between needle and other side is to be able to quilt a queen-size quilt.

try www.batt-mart.com for rolls of batting

warm and white

WOW! everyone - thanks for the great information, exactly why I asked the question! It's so hard to decide when you see so many options in the store, I knew all the quilters on the board would help me figure this out!

What is best in your opinion for an ispy quilt

I have recently discovered wool batting and love it, particularly for larger quilts because of the loft, suppleness, and drape. Bamboo/cotton is nice but had a bit of a problem with bearding in loosely woven fabric, would work great in batiks. Cut my teeth on Warm & Natural and Warm & White and will continue to use it but not my first choice any longer. Bought a roll of Dream Wool from LQS for $10/yard which I considered pretty reasonable, that was last year. Like Hobbs wool products, also. Lots to consider!

I second this. I used wool on my first large bed quilt, and really liked working with it. But it's quite expensive. Same with silk -- that works up really beautifully, but costs a lot. I used it for a wall hanging for a show. It quilts great and drapes nicely.

I've never used wool batting, afraid of shrinkage and felting in the wash. How do you care for a quilt that has wool batting? i've heard it hand quilts beautifully, and would love to give it a try...just chicken I guess.

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I just checked on Connecting Threads - It is quite expensive, but may be worth it - -is it white in color? quite a bit of the top is white, and I am concerned a creamy bat may affect the brightness of the quilt...

My Dream Wool is pretty darn light, lighter than Warm & Natural but not as "white" as Warm & White. Honestly, I don't think it would affect the color of your quilt. I used it in a quilt with a lot of white and it turned out great. Here's a close up of the quilting I did on it.

>>>>>>>>>>>> ;) ;) <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Very pretty - looks good to me, thanks for sharing!

It's a huge risk using an off-brand of wool batting. The only two brands I would trust for wool are Hobbs and Quilter's Dream. Care of these battings are the same as if they were cotton. Shrinkage is about the same. Shrinkage of up to 3% is pretty much the standard for all of the good cotton and wool battings. (Polyester battings do not shrink at all.)

Wool used to be a very risky batting to use, largely because of bearding. In the past you would have to enclose a wool batting in cheesecloth to prevent bearding. Hobbs and QD have eliminated that problem and have also created very stable wool battings. (Maybe by needlepunching? I don't know for sure if their wool battings are needlepunched.)

I will have to check that out, thanks. I like rolls or bolts so I don't have as many odd pieces left over.

piney

I use Soft and Brite, a needled poly. It quilts wonderfully, both LA and hand, and washes and dries like a breeze. It has a 10" quilt apart and does not bunch, pill or knot up when washed and dried many times. It is what I use on baby quilts as it washes and dries fast.
OzarksGma

I've found Hobbs Premium, etc. at Hobby Lobby stores, often on sale at 30% off. If you get their emails or see the Sunday paper, there's often a 40% off most things coupon in them. I love Hobbs Premium for domestic machine quilting. :thumbup:

This sounds interesting! Does it have a softer drape than Warm and Natural?