SWChick

I haven't been adopted yet so I am coming to all of you with my questions. Is it alright to use broadcloth for backgrounds or when needing solids, or use it at all? What is the best type of batting to use in quilts, wallhangings, and placemats(potholders)? How and on what do you make your lables? Thanks

Jim's Gem

Broadcloth is a little heavier than quilting cotton. peronsally, I do not or would not use it. You can find solid in a Kona Cotton. (I don't like using solids, I use tone on tones that "read" solid)
I prefer the cotton batting, such as Warm and Natural for most everything I do.
I have a machine that will do embroidery so I use that for my labels. I have also taken an extra block or so and used a white or off white piece of Muslin or solidy looking fabric and written on it with a Pigma pen. then sewed it on the back.

ckcowl

there are different broadclothes...some are cotton/poly blends, some are just poly and some are just cotton...i have used many cotton broadclothes in my quilting...and a few blends. there are different weights too...find one that is about the same weight as the other fabrics in your quilt.
as for batting there are as many answeres as there are batts...all have their place and you will have to try some and decide what you like. one of the most important parts of choosing a batt is to check to see what the quilting recommendations are...some batts you have to quilt every 2" (very heavily quilted) while some you can have up to 10" between stitching lines...so that needs to be taken into account. cotton batts shrink a little, are nice to work with, tend to stay pretty flat...poly batts are great to work with and hold up very well, especially good in kids quilts that will take a beating. wool batts have wonderful loft are soft and fluffy and a dream to work with...and on the higher price end. there are plenty of specialty batts also. some people use fleece or fusable batts too...read packages and try what you can afford that seems to meet your needs....there is special batting for potholders.

irishrose

I have backed a quilt with cotton broadcloth. It worked just fine.
I haven't used cotton batting yet as I am not yet a fan of the old fashioned crinkled look. I'm sure that will change with time. I use any number of medium weight polys for quilts. I do want to try a cotton blend to see if my free motion quilting will go better. I haven't mastered that skill. For placemats and table runners, I use a Pellon product sold by the yard. It's flatter and denser than the batts I use for quilts. It comes both fusible and non fusible. I prefer the non.
My label is hand written with heat set permanet marker (fine line) on muslin and blanket stitched by hand on the back of the quilt.

SWChick

I thank the three of you for your help.

sueisallaboutquilts

I love cotton broadcloth. I used it in my King quilt and it's nice and warm. I also used 80/20 batting.