veryvirginia

Someone mentioned removing the wires from an electric blanket and using in a quilt as a batting. How do you removed the wires without cutting the blanket into tiny strips?

TnBecky

On one I had many years ago, I cut the plug off the blanket & then started pulling the wires . You will have to gather the blanket to get the wires out, but it works. A friend had told me that is what she use's for her quilt's. Now something to look for at garage sale. LOL. Let us know how you do.

Jan in VA

I can hardly believe anyone would go to such lengths to avoid using regular batting. I don't get it.

Jan in VA

redtweety

I like using blankets instead of batting. 1. you don't have to quilt at any particular distance, the blanket will not care. it drapes wonderfully for me, I love the softness, it doesn't get stiff, or migrate. If I want a summer quilt, I use a sheet blanket,(a thin one) and it isn't too heavy. I cannot afford to go get battting for every quilt I make, so it works out for me to use blankets.

Phyllis42

Where do you buy the sheet blankets? I can't seem to find them any more.

retrogirl02

I understand using regular blankets you have on hand, but Jan is right in that this is an extraordinary amount of work removing the wires embedded in heated blankets. I would suggest garage sales and second hand stores for finding gently worn sheet blankets. As a matter of fact, I just saw a brand new still packaged blanket at a yard sale & haven't been on the hunt for any.

I use batting that I buy on sale or with big discounts but I only buy larger cuts. I cut it down for my project and use all the bits for my smaller projects.

bearisgray

Sometimes one has to make do with what one has.

Gladygirl

Electric blankets usually have a bias tape type covering over the wires and I took all of that off to get the wires out---lots of time and effort to do it. Was sorry I had used the thing in a quilt because it weighed a ton (queen sized quilt). My daughter liked it tho--she likes a heavy cover on her bed. Won't ever do it again tho.

buslady

One of the things I like about this board. Everyone has an opinion, and can express it. You can use the infomation provided in feedback to make a decision as to whether or not you would do a certain technique. Can you imagine if no one shared ideas, and no one listened to others opinions? This is just a great place to hang out! Haven't really thought of the blanket issue, but I will now.

Jan in VA

I can understand this. I, too, live on an extremely limited income; if it were not for my extensive stash from having owned the shop years ago, I likely wouldn't be quilting today. But getting batting the way it was described would certainly end my piecing habit! I'm grateful that I had batting, am occasionally given batting, can beg batting remnants, and also have used what was leftover from the Barracks Quilt Project here of a year ago.

I DO get using what one has.

Jan in VA