what batting should I use?
10-29-2012, 04:50 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Killeen, Texas
Posts: 329
Originally Posted by Prism99
I used to use Warm and Natural, but find that the drape of it is more stiff than other options, so I don't use it anymore.
My all-time favorite batting is Mountain Mist Blue Ribbon 100% cotton, which is becoming more and more difficult to find. It produces a flatter quilt that is very soft. You *cannot* preshrink this one; it will come apart in water. Plus it requires closer quilting than many battings -- every 2 inches. I find it is really worth it for soft baby quilts.
I like Hobbs 80/20 a lot for large quilts (twin size and bigger), but have gone off it for baby quilts. I just finished two small quilts, one with Mountain Mist and one with the Hobbs, and the MM quilt is nicer. The Hobbs distorted more in the wash, with the result that the edges are a little wavy instead of flat, plus it is not as soft as the Mountain Mist.
I have some Hobbs wool batting, but haven't tried it yet. Other battings I really want to try are Quilter's Dream request and select cotton (especially for crib quilts), and Hobbs polydown. I have always preferred cotton batting to poly, but I have heard some good things about the polydown -- faster to dry for kids' quilts, and very durable -- so I would like to try it.
I never preshrink batting, as I like the crinkled look that comes with cotton. Poly doesn't shrink, so there's no use in prewashing it.
My all-time favorite batting is Mountain Mist Blue Ribbon 100% cotton, which is becoming more and more difficult to find. It produces a flatter quilt that is very soft. You *cannot* preshrink this one; it will come apart in water. Plus it requires closer quilting than many battings -- every 2 inches. I find it is really worth it for soft baby quilts.
I like Hobbs 80/20 a lot for large quilts (twin size and bigger), but have gone off it for baby quilts. I just finished two small quilts, one with Mountain Mist and one with the Hobbs, and the MM quilt is nicer. The Hobbs distorted more in the wash, with the result that the edges are a little wavy instead of flat, plus it is not as soft as the Mountain Mist.
I have some Hobbs wool batting, but haven't tried it yet. Other battings I really want to try are Quilter's Dream request and select cotton (especially for crib quilts), and Hobbs polydown. I have always preferred cotton batting to poly, but I have heard some good things about the polydown -- faster to dry for kids' quilts, and very durable -- so I would like to try it.
I never preshrink batting, as I like the crinkled look that comes with cotton. Poly doesn't shrink, so there's no use in prewashing it.
So much great info Prism99...thank you! Warm & Natural has always been my "go-to" batting for machine quilting and MM for hand quilting. I've tried Hobbs before and just didn't like the overall end result...also, not very soft in comparison to W&N. I've been reading so much about wool and, like you, want to give that a try now.
10-29-2012, 06:25 PM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Mechanicsville, IA
Posts: 1,497
Quilter's Dream wool would give a slightly puffier look. I made a quilt for my daughter in CA with Dream Orient. She claims it is warm in winter and cool in summer. Their 100% cotton, Request loft is recommended for hand quilting.
10-30-2012, 04:19 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 948
I don't prewash batting. Absolutely do not use the agitator. It shredded some Hobbs 80/20 that I tried to wash. I usually wash the quilts after completion and I like the look if it shrinks slightly.
10-31-2012, 05:46 AM
#15
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Posts: 128
Originally Posted by Silver Needle
Quilter's Dream wool would give a slightly puffier look. I made a quilt for my daughter in CA with Dream Orient. She claims it is warm in winter and cool in summer. Their 100% cotton, Request loft is recommended for hand quilting.
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