Batting substitute
 

Hello :)

I don't have the cash to buy 'proper' batting for the middle, I am going to use good quality felt material (not wool felt) as I have a load of it in a box from way back. Will this be ok to use, I wasn't planning on washing this quilt, it's for the sofa and not on a bed (no food or drink allowed anywhere near it!).

At one time I'm sure it will require washing. I'm sure sure felt would be okay.i would say a woollen blanket.,which has been washed.

I don't see why it would be a problem. I have used cheap, old blankets for batting, even sew'd old towels together for a batting when I knew the quilt was in for some serious abuse. I say use what you have but will be watching to see what others have used. ;-)

you said your felt is not wool----if it is acrylic craft felt it will not work well for anything that will ever need to be laundered. before using it I would wash some & see how it comes out- wool felt works nicely...acrylic felt is made for craft projects. test before taking a chance of ruining your quilt. I realize you state you do not plan to wash the quilt...(ever?) if you choose to use the craft felt definitely put a label on the quilt letting anyone who may come along that it is not washable.

I also agree that you should at least test wash the felt. It would be heart breaking to put all that time and effort into something that would be ruined in the wash. As an alternative, I would use an old blanket.

I was talking to a LQS teacher and she asked me why I would want to wash my quilt and I said because I have kids. Well, she wound up having to wash one of hers because somehow their puppy got on top of her bed and had an accident.

So, never say never. Accidents happen.

Oh, when I was a kid, we used to buy wool blankets from Goodwill (second hand store) and use them for batting.

Oh, I remember those old army blankets. My grandmother always kept them on her furniture and in her car. I remember they were so scratchy. Maybe they would be better inside a quilt.

If the felt is stiff, you may want to wash it before using it to soften it up a bit - and to make sure it doesn't run and ruin your quilt.

I second the GoodWill blanket idea. Also look into WalMart bargain bins. Sometimes you'll find dirt-cheap fleece, there. Anything that gets used, has the potential of needing to be washed.