Warmth compromise?

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11-22-2011, 06:35 PM

#11

johanka

Senior Member

Join Date: Sep 2011

Location: central Minnesots

Posts: 318

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuiltnNan

they can be gorgeous, indeed. but what makes a quilt warm is the spaces between the layers that trap the heat. when it's heavily quilted, there are not very many spaces left.

I like mine soft and cuddly. My grandson wants me to make him a quilt but he wants it "fluffy."

11-22-2011, 08:00 PM

#12

Greenheron

Super Member

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: Beautiful Briery Mountain in WV

Posts: 2,551

What makes insulation work, in the walls and ceiling or in the quilt sandwich, is air. Trapped air retains heat/excludes cold. Six inches of fiberglass insulation is effective loosely installed but if compressed, air is excluded and R-value falls. It is the same with quilt batting--compression by close quilting reduces insulation value.

11-22-2011, 08:43 PM

#13

EmbQuilt

Senior Member

Join Date: Sep 2011

Location: Central NY

Posts: 627

Oh my, I think I just had my science lesson for the day! Who knew quilting is math and science!

11-23-2011, 12:35 AM

#14

katigirl

Super Member

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: jamestown, new york

Posts: 1,690

Quote:

Originally Posted by 117becca

One can never have too much quilting!!! LOL!!!

I disagree. Some of them look so over done. Sometimes less IS better.

11-23-2011, 01:21 AM

#15

GrannieAnnie

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: S. W. Indiana

Posts: 7,484

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthPStitches

What is the general feeling about the heavily-quilted tops? Is it possible that the three layers are pierced so many times that it affects the warmth of the quilt? Does all the thread used make up the difference? Not really a problem for me as I hand quilt but I think the heavily quilted tops can be gorgeous.

Do most people rely on quilts for warmth-------------or beauty?

11-23-2011, 04:43 AM

#16

Drew

Super Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Posts: 1,296

I like the quilt to be warm and cozy - not hard and uncomfortable. Heavy quilting I like to see on wallhangings. Something where it won't matter if it's stiff.

11-23-2011, 07:24 AM

#17

majormom

Senior Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Manchester, NH

Posts: 701

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuiltnNan

they can be gorgeous, indeed. but what makes a quilt warm is the spaces between the layers that trap the heat. when it's heavily quilted, there are not very many spaces left.

I like this answer! I don't know from actually using a heavily quilted quilt, but your reply has always been my thought as well. Plus, I don't like heavily quilted quilts because I feel it takes away the beauty of the piecing and makes the quilting the most important. To me it is not. There is always 'too much' in every aspect of life, and so it is with quilting

11-23-2011, 07:35 AM

#18

Lori S

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: Illinois

Posts: 9,312

I think the batting choices , and fabric choices play a larger role in warmth than the quilting.

11-23-2011, 07:59 AM

#19

jbj137

Super Member

Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: Duncan, SC, 29334 USA

Posts: 4,580

I love my quilts to be puffy.
I machine piece, but hand quilt.
J J

11-24-2011, 05:52 AM

#20

azwendyg

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: Flagstaff, AZ

Posts: 2,082

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuiltnNan

they can be gorgeous, indeed. but what makes a quilt warm is the spaces between the layers that trap the heat. when it's heavily quilted, there are not very many spaces left.

So true; it's "Insulation Theory 101". I love to FMQ and usually struggle to find a balance between "fluffy" and "enough FMQ" to satisfy me.