Tartan

It does depend on the project you are doing and how you plan to quilt it. I use Hobbs 80/20 because I like how it machine quilts. I like polyester for hand quilting because cotton tends to grab my needle and make it more difficult to get small stitches. So how are you planning to quilt it?

The news I have heard about Bamboo batting is that it is expensive and although it is a renewable resource, the production process is not environmentally friendly.

Dolphyngyrl

Warm & Natural, Hobbs products, Quilter's Dream products these seem to be the most popular. if you like a puffy looking quilt than poly would be your best bet, wool if you are looking for warmth, cotton breathes better than poly

QuiltE

Thanks for the info ... pricewise, it was comparable to W+N. Both were on the giant rolls, being sold by the yard/metre.

An earlier thread here (sometime ago? discussed the environmental issues, though at that time I seem to recall the discussion heading in the direction that it was just as environmentally friendly as all others.

For those that have used bamboo ...
* how does it handle?
* machine? or hand quilting?
* loft?
* drapability?
* shrinkage?
* are there different qualities? blends? etc.

Tartan

I haven't seen bamboo sold by the yard but if I did I would give it a try on a small project. As for environmentally friendly production, I guess nothing manufactured really is.

117becca

I had a friend use bamboo batting and it shrunk horribly.....Don't know what other's experiences have been...

QuiltE

Forget where you are in this province, though if you're ever near a Len's Mill Outlet, they have it by the yard ... or at least had it when I spotted it and became intrigued.

I am going to use it sometime ... just want to learn what I can, and make the best choice as to the when!

Another project I want to do are a series of placemats using Slash the Stash method. So each will have the same fabrics, just scrambled around. And then my plan is to use a different batting for each, labelling it as such. Quilting, to be an assortment of styles, types and spacings. I figure that's as close to duplication as I can get ... and then can compare the results with continued washings.

The only problem is ... I don't like using placemats!! So I keep putting this off.
The alternative I have considered is to join them as one quilt ... though with different shrinkages, etc. I hesitate to do that!

Tartan

Sounds like a good plan, let us know how it goes. Instead of placemats, you could try burp pads or baby changing mats (if you have a little one in the family.) I've been wanting to check out Len's Mills Outlet and now I am itching to go before Christmas!

QuiltE

Ha! no little ones ... no kids, no grands.

Each Lens has it's own feel to it. Which will you be going to?

Tartan

I think someone mentioned a new one by Woodstock? I've been telling my husband that it's not just girl stuff that he would enjoy looking around too. I'm selling hard but so far he isn't buying it.

carolaug

I love Warm and Natural...cool in the summer and warm in the winter...My parents were so surprise how warm it was this morning...they used it all summer and thought because it was so thin it would not be warm enough, to their surprise it was perfect for all seasons. I used muslim on theirs for the backing so I also was surprised it was enough.