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ScubaK 04-25-2013 07:31 PM

What's your favorite batting?
 
I have a 9inch machine on a grace frame and am wondering what your favorite battings are. I used a poly for a couple of charity quilts...my husband likes heavy quilts so I tried 2 layers of warm & natural...
I wanna know what the most of us prefer.
Thanks,
Kirsten

Sheri.a 04-25-2013 08:10 PM

I used Quilters Dream 100% cotton for the first few quilts I made since I started back quilting last year ( I took a 20 year hiatus). I loved how nice it was to work with. The last quilt I made, I used Hobbs wool. I became a quick convert. The wool seemed so much lighter by weight, the quilted areas had more definition, and I think it just looks nicer. Wool does cost a bit more, but considering it takes me 6 months to finish a quilt (I work full time), I don't have to think about it often.

Prism99 04-25-2013 08:16 PM

My favorite is Mountain Mist Blue Ribbon 100% cotton, but I am unusual in this choice. It is a *very* traditional batting and replicates the look and feel of a vintage quilt. Things I like about it: (1) light in weight with a very soft drape, so is easy to wrap yourself up in the quilt, (2) thin, so I can machine quilt closely with a fine thread and still have a soft quilt, (3) gets softer with every machine wash and dry. I had the opportunity to handle a baby quilt I had made perhaps 20 years ago. It had held up to many trips through the washing machine and dryer and, when touched to the cheek, felt soft as a cloud.

It is getting harder to find this batting, so I am thinking of trying out Quilter's Dream cotton to see how it compares. (Quilter's Dream is needlepunched, so more stable than Mountain Mist.)

QM 04-25-2013 08:25 PM

I have tried almost everything. My preference is Thermore by Hobbs because of the way it handles, drapes and feels. for one quilt for myself, I used 2 layers of it, since I get cold really easily. My second choice is Matilda's Own, an Aussie wool bat that is thick and lovely, but not cheap or easy to get. If I were doing hand quilting, it would probably be my top preference. My guild uses either Warm and Natural or Hobb's 80/20 for our LA.

petthefabric 04-25-2013 11:28 PM

It depends upon the project. Usually use Warm and White. For better drape use Bamboo. Love Dream Wool for dimension and softness. Quilters Dream cotton is thinner than Warm and White, so this might be good for wall hangings. A high loft poly is good for Faux Trapunto. Flannel can be used for warmth and thin in clothing. Insulbright for insulation.

DOTTYMO 04-26-2013 01:01 AM

When I began quilting I used poly. My firstroject Iurchased some poly and didn't realise there was different thicknesses and mine was way too thick looking back. Then I began using woll, cotton, Hobbs dream etc because I was told it was the one to use. My last quilt is being done with poly and I realise that for lightness and definition it is so good.
I've come to the conclusion in the last few weeks that I must select for purpose and not be led by others.

katier825 04-26-2013 01:22 AM

I used to use the Warm & Natural all the time. Now my preference is Hobbs 80/20. It has a nice feel and drape to it.

IrishgalfromNJ 04-26-2013 01:46 AM

My absolute favorite is Hobbs Heirloom 80% cotton 20% poly. It's so easy to work with. I have a lot of trouble with 100% cotton batts, they make sandwiching hard for me.

ckcowl 04-26-2013 01:57 AM

i love, love, love wool batting, second choice is hobbs 80/20...then any and all of the dream battings, dream green, dream orient, dream poly, dream wool (favorite) dream cotton, dream bamboo (another fav)...pretty much any batt made by the dream company is - a dream to work with-
all time least fav---fairfield batts- followed closely by w&n...those i never ever spend my $$ on.
there are many wonderful batts on the market- try them & see what you like best- every project deserves special consideration. every 'special occassion' quilt i make i try to use wool- it is so wonderful; and out of the 3 quilts i've made for my own bed the wool one is the one that is used the most- year around...the other 2 are too heavy for summer use- the wool is light & lofty

Born2Sew 04-26-2013 02:00 AM

I have used Dream cotton and I love it, but find the Hobbs 80/20 much easier to work with, and less expensive. That is primarily what I use now.

Boston1954 04-26-2013 06:14 AM

The first quilt I ever made had batting that came in a bag. I do not remember the name but it was very light weight, and I like it just a bit heavier. My sister told me about Warm and Natural. It's all I use for any size I make. I love it. Won't use anything else.

carslo 04-26-2013 07:52 AM

I mostly use Hobbs 80/20, but I have a review of a lot of different batts on my blog. I am looking forward to trying wool batting soon :)

AliKat 04-26-2013 08:36 AM

No wool due to allergies. My absolute favorite is what I can't justify buying: silk. My most used Warm & Natural, though I also love Dream Cotton and Hobbs. No poly batting for my own quilts.

Lori S 04-26-2013 08:58 AM

It depends do much on how the project will be used and the intent. For runners and table ware , I like warm and natural , it preshrinks better than most battings and the structure lends itself for this kind of project. I do use it in some quilts, the heavy use type, as the scrim holds up and there will be little clumping of the batting from frequent machine washings. I do like Hobbs 80/20 for quilts, but find preshrinking is not as "goof proof" as warm and natural. I do sometimes double batt my quilts using combinations to get just the right final results.

patchsamkim 04-26-2013 02:34 PM

My favorite is the Quilter's Dream Cotton....most of the time the Select weight, but once in awhile the Request weight.

Puddin57 04-26-2013 02:41 PM

I wish I had more options because what you all are describing sounds like great choices....but I buy whatever Walmart carries - all polyester stuff, which is nice and light-weight. The family hasn't complained yet though

adamae 04-26-2013 02:56 PM

I am a hand quilter. Usually choose a poly traditional loft. I have a sunbonnet Sue that I have been trying to finish. It has a cotton batting and I hate stitching it. May never finish it. So, I avoid cotton batting for hand quilting. I have used cotton years ago but can't figure out why this one is so difficult to work on.


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