magicmoonmusings

Recently made a quilt using Quilters Dream Bamboo and it's really lovely to sleep under! It's so soft and cozy, it drapes nicely, and it hardly shrank after washing (very minimal crinkling). I love it. I machine quilted it in a 4 x 4 inch grid.

I'm going to try doubling it (I'll make a small sample first) because I want a super cuddly winter quilt.

Are there any similar natural battings that you love?

For reference, Quilters Dream Bamboo is 31.7% bamboo, 31.7% tencel (environmentally friendly eucalyptus wood pulp), 31.6% cotton, 5% silk.

cashs_mom

I've used Quilter's Dream Bamboo several times and really like it. It makes such a nice cuddly quilt. I've used some other bamboos also. I liked them.

quiltedsunshine

For me, it seems like bamboo batting disappears when you wash it. So I really don't like it.

Onebyone

I was given a package of bamboo batting. It was nice. You would probably love Hobbs Tuscany Silk batting. I bought one package of it years ago and it spoiled me. I use it for the quilts I keep for myself.

QuiltE

@Onebyone ... Please do tell me about Silk batting ... years ago I bought a Hobbs Tuscany in a super-sale at one of the LQS', but unlike you, have never used it! Kind of the keep-it-for-something-special syndrome!! What in particular is it that you like about it?? Laundry requirements?? Quilting requirements. Time for me to use it ... for myself! But I guess I need a good nudge. So here's your chance!!

@magicmoonmusings ... One time Len's had open rolls of the bamboo and I fell in love with it for it's soft cuddly feel in the open roll. I just wanted to crawl right into that roll!! Agree, there wasn't a lot of shrinkage when washed ... and my quilts with it have been washed many times Still love the feel in the finished quilt, all these years later. Enough substance that you can tell there's a batting there ... but not heavy weighted when on top of me!! Not sure what to think of doubling it though ... would it get too bulky? If doing so, keep your quilting as far as part as possible, as too much quilting can take away the cuddly-ness and too, can make a quilt stiff. Just checked the QD website, and see that you can quilt it 8" apart!! WOW!

@quiltedsunshine ... I can understand you'd be disappointed if the batting disappears! But not sure what you mean ... it gets thin? Or it shreds apart? or?

quiltedsunshine

@quiltedsunshine ... I can understand you'd be disappointed if the batting disappears! But not sure what you mean ... it gets thin? Or it shreds apart? or?[/QUOTE]

It's like the batting dissolves. There's nothing but air between your two fabrics. I guess that's why it drapes so nicely. Try quilting a sample, then washing it.

One of the ladies I worked with accidentally used the bamboo batting, thinking it was an 80/20. As she was loading it on the store's longarm, it was coming apart and fluff was allover in the air. It irritated her eyes so badly that she went to the eye doctor the next day. The doctor told her that her eyes had little cuts allover them. We have to assume it was from the bamboo batting.

I bought a pair of bamboo socks and they fell apart after 3 washings.

I'm just not a fan of bamboo textiles, I guess.

cashs_mom

It's like the batting dissolves. There's nothing but air between your two fabrics. I guess that's why it drapes so nicely. Try quilting a sample, then washing it.

One of the ladies I worked with accidentally used the bamboo batting, thinking it was an 80/20. As she was loading it on the store's longarm, it was coming apart and fluff was allover in the air. It irritated her eyes so badly that she went to the eye doctor the next day. The doctor told her that her eyes had little cuts allover them. We have to assume it was from the bamboo batting.

I bought a pair of bamboo socks and they fell apart after 3 washings.

I'm just not a fan of bamboo textiles, I guess.[/QUOTE]

Must be the brand. I've made several quilts for myself with bamboo batting and its fine even after a few years and lots of washings. If you are used to using puffier, heavier battings, it might seem like there is nothing there to you. Since we don't have much cold weather, I like thin battings in my quilts. Bamboo is one of the best I've found. Wash with cold water and I use a gentle cycle and mine come out great. Soft and cuddly.

My favorite socks are hand dyed bamboo. I have some I've had for 10 years and worn and washed regularly with no problems. They were pricey though.

QuiltE

@quiltedsunshine ... I agree with @cashs_mom that there must be a difference as to the brand. Or perhaps something to do with the process as to how your battings have been made vs. the ones myself and others have used. Or another might be the combo of fibres in the different bamboo battings?

As before, I have been so impressed with my bamboo batting quilts!

Also have bamboo bedsheets ... two sets that I rotate ... and now I absolutely hate it when I get into a bed with cotton sheets!! And yet before, I loved them. Oh how we change in our "loves". Though now, I have no idea as to the fibre mix in these bamboo sheets.

@cashs_mom ... didn't know you could get bamboo socks, so now I will be on the lookout. Perhaps if you could give me a brand name, I could check with Mr. Google to see if we have them here, north of the 49th? Actually, just found some ... 70% Rayon from Bamboo, 20% Cotton, 5% Nylon, 5% Lycra and another with 74% Bamboo from Rayon, 23% Polyester, 3% Spandex. One is made in Toronto. Prices look reasonable compared to the wool DarnTough brand that I have been wearing!

mkc

The second contents description is incorrect. You don't make bamboo FROM rayon, you make rayon FROM bamboo.

Rayon is a chemically-broken-down and reconstructed fiber made from a cellulose fiber. It could be cotton, it could be wood pulp, it could be grass (bamboo) pulp.

It is less strong and less heat-tolerant than cotton, so it generally should be dried at lower temperatures.

Fun fact - my organic chemistry teacher in high school in the 70's had us make rayon from cotton balls in one lab.

QuiltE

Thanks @mkc ... I noticed that they had the reversal, and thought it was wrong from the little that I knew, but went with it exactly as given! I normally hang my socks on a drying rack, so have the temp requirement covered! oooooh I like your chemistry teacher ... we never got to do exciting things like that!

So, my next question would be ... Rayon from each of the three sources ...
do they each have different qualities?
or would there be no noticeable difference to the average person aka moi?
Thanks!