Cheap Batting Mess
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2024
Posts: 215
I just spent the entire weekend taking a quilt apart to remove the batting. 'shaking head at self' I bought a batting that seemed to have good reviews that was quite a bit cheaper in price than what I usually use. Unfortunately/or not, the batting must have changed since the reviews (which were multiple years old). Note here that the batting felt fine as I was using it, although it was pretty linty. I quilted my quilt and put the binding on it, then tossed it in the washer to remove all of the markings that I had put on it for the quilting pattern.
When I removed my quilt from the washer, it felt a little, call it bouncy/plush more in some areas then in others and really, really thin in other places. With hesitation, I tossed it in the dryer to find out what the final result would be. What else could I do but dry it.
Once dry it was definitely not what I expected. Even though I quilted with leaving less space between the quilting lines that it called for, it appeared that all of the batting that wasn't under the actual quilting stitches or binding stitches, was basically gone and the batting that was under the stitches, felt overly plush, swollen to about 4 times in thickness and definitely lumpy.
What a mess... I certainly couldn't leave it like that. So, toss or save.... I decided that I wanted to save the quilt I had just put so much time with so I sat down with my seam ripper and began the tedious task. Oh, my.... after removing the binding, quilting and backing, the entire piece or should I say pieces of batting looked like a Halloween cobweb and fell apart as I pulled it from the fabric.
I spent part of Friday, and all of Saturday and Sunday picking out all the stitches and removing all of the batting, not to mention, bagging up the remaining batting that I had bought and tossing it. There was no way I was going to let it ruin someone else's quilt.
I'd name the name of it, but alas with this being on the open internet, I'll keep that to myself. I just wanted to pass on the worst experience I've had with batting. Never before has this happened. And never again... I put in a new order for my regular batting, not even saying anything about the price! It is well worth it!
When I removed my quilt from the washer, it felt a little, call it bouncy/plush more in some areas then in others and really, really thin in other places. With hesitation, I tossed it in the dryer to find out what the final result would be. What else could I do but dry it.
Once dry it was definitely not what I expected. Even though I quilted with leaving less space between the quilting lines that it called for, it appeared that all of the batting that wasn't under the actual quilting stitches or binding stitches, was basically gone and the batting that was under the stitches, felt overly plush, swollen to about 4 times in thickness and definitely lumpy.
What a mess... I certainly couldn't leave it like that. So, toss or save.... I decided that I wanted to save the quilt I had just put so much time with so I sat down with my seam ripper and began the tedious task. Oh, my.... after removing the binding, quilting and backing, the entire piece or should I say pieces of batting looked like a Halloween cobweb and fell apart as I pulled it from the fabric.
I spent part of Friday, and all of Saturday and Sunday picking out all the stitches and removing all of the batting, not to mention, bagging up the remaining batting that I had bought and tossing it. There was no way I was going to let it ruin someone else's quilt.
I'd name the name of it, but alas with this being on the open internet, I'll keep that to myself. I just wanted to pass on the worst experience I've had with batting. Never before has this happened. And never again... I put in a new order for my regular batting, not even saying anything about the price! It is well worth it!
#3
Oh dear... A whole quilt rip- out! I have to admire your determination. I know the last stitches you removed must have been a thrill. Triumphant.
I once had half a quilt finished and did the same thing. That was only half.
I once had half a quilt finished and did the same thing. That was only half.
#4
Did you take pictures of the mess and save the batting for a complaint/return? I think even if the price was low I would have asked for a refund. That’s a lot of wasted time in addition to the $ you shelled out.
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Davenport, Iowa
Posts: 4,357
I for one would like to know the name of the batting company you bought this disaster from. With the millions of quilters out there we sure don't want to let something like your experience happen again. I know that a certain "overseas" discount company (TeeMoo) offers what is labeled as Pellon batting for a cheaper price that I have bought, but have yet to use. Sure don't want to go down the same road that you traveled.
#9
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 17,814
The batting probably wasn't needlepunched. I'm tempted to try other than my tried and true brands when the price is tempting. Now I read all reviews of any new to me product so please post a review of this on the brand website.
#10
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 18,340
A question ... re your comment, referenced above ... did you do quilting lines only, with no cross stitching lines? If so, that might explain why this has happened. The recommendations for battings always mean, in every direction. I know that the straight line stitching has become popular, and for many battings we can get away with it, but sometimes we get caught. If you were within the recommendations, as others have said, I hope you have pictures ... and contact the company.
What a trooper that you took it all apart!! This will be one special quilt once you finish it and we will all look forward to your showing it to us. Good Luck!

