Stuffing a quilt - a question
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 632
Stuffing a quilt - a question
We got some new mattress covers (mattress pads/mattress protectors) and I'm looking at the old ones that are tired but not nasty, and wondering if they can be used as batting for utility-type quilts. Has anyone reused a mattress pad in this way? Any observations or advice? I machine quilt so working a needle through the layers shouldn't be an issue for me, anyway. I'd be grateful for any thoughts.
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,165
When I was starting and learning about machine quilting one of the standard remarks was "you don't want it to end up like a mattress pad." But there are mattress pads and there are mattress pads and I think you could be just fine. I would think they would be easy to work with, watch for the weight and stiffness.
I have used blankets, both knitted acrylic type as well as green wool army blankets as battings, as well as encasing entire old quilts with lots of love and memories between a new top and bottom.
I have used blankets, both knitted acrylic type as well as green wool army blankets as battings, as well as encasing entire old quilts with lots of love and memories between a new top and bottom.
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: The Finger Lakes of upstate NY
Posts: 3,563
A group I work with to make quilts for the needy uses pretty much anything and everything. We have used mattress pads. They vary quite a bit, depending on both quality and what they are made of. Some are very hard to get a needle through, others are lovely.
We've also used blankets of just about every kind, including electric blankets with the wires pulled out!
We've also used blankets of just about every kind, including electric blankets with the wires pulled out!
#4
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,557
I think it depends on the mattress pad. I have one on our bed that is thin and would be an ok substitute for batting. However, my mom has a mattress pad on her bed that is so thick, it's more like a comforter. I can't imagine being able to quilt it, even on my longarm. That's how thick and fluffy it is.
#5
I have not used a mattress pad to bat a quilt but I have used a number of different battings from blankets to old quilts. My quilting has changed over the years and now I use either us 100% cotton or am 80/20, I would say go for it. Have fun quilting a lovely quilt.
#7
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Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 632
Thanks for all of the input, people! I trimmed off the "fitted" part of one which was torn (and the main reason for replacing it) and am realizing that it will make a rather puffy batting. I think I will probably put it away for now but can see the potential for a new life for it one day. It's been so great to have a community to throw questions out to - much appreciated. :-)
#8
I could see this more "puffy" look and feel might be good for stadium blanket or blanket/cushion to watching sporting events, marching band competitions or just sitting outside to watch the world go by.
#9
Great and timely question! We just bought a new bed and our former king sized mattress pad is still in good shape but we cant use it anymore because we got a split king now. I washed it and was wondering the same thing. Too good to toss out but what to do with it. I am always wanting to try something different so I think I will use it as the batting in a quilt and "tie" the quilt the old fashioned way rather than quilt it on a machine. It is not terribly puffy, what a great way to reuse.