Ngeorgia

I see posts about the distance quilting needs to be because of type of batting used. I see the close quilting being a style but others that use ties and comforters use wider quilting distance. If batting usually on poly says 2" - 4" are they using a different batting?

PenniF

I'm sorry....but i'm not sure what you are asking. The particular batting you buy will tell you how far apart you can quilt...and that ranges from 2" to 10" depending on the batting. I always use W&N that allows 10"...but if i were tying i would tie no more than 5" apart. That's just me. I made one that way and it's been washed lots of times with no problem.

Jeanne S

I am going to take a guess at answering your question---but am no expert. All the poly battings I have seen say maximum quilting distance of 2"-4" as you stated. I have never taken a commercially made comforter apart, so don't know if there is something available in that market that allows for larger spacing. But I have seen many old comforters with uneven and lumpy batting in it , which would indicate not enough quilting to prevent the batting from shifting, separating and balling up between the fabric layers. So I would be Leary of purchasing a commercially made comforter like in your first picture unless it was going to be used in a guest room and would not be washed a lot. Also I have seen lots of comforters in stores that say dry clean only----maybe that is how they get by with less quilting spacing!!

RedGarnet222

Always remember form follows function whether you are quilting or tying. Where you are pretty sure the design will pop up or have the seam pop open is where you should stabilize it. I agree the quilting should be the recommended distance apart, but when you are only tying and it is going to endure a lot of washings, a closer pattern might be in order. Of course depending on the design. "Read" it as after it has gone through a washing machine. Which areas will try and pop out?

There are different types of batting and some are reinforced with a scrim. These are battings that are heat sealed a light weight open weave fabric to the poly, wool or cotton and add a stable flat surface to keep it from bunching. Kind of like an interfacing weight and look. Some of the batting companies have an informational section that you can go and read the process or watch a video.

Dina

I use Warm and Natural, which says every ten inches. I also recently bought a roll of polyester batting and another of 80% cotton/20% polyester that each also say every ten inches. So, yes, there is batting out there that allows for more than 2-4 inches. (I bought these two rolls at a quilt show, but here is their web info, in case anyone is interested. http://www.americanquiltbatting.com/category-s/1818.htm Their prices were reasonable.)

Dina

Bree123

I would not tie a quilt any farther apart than 3-4". I've owned store bought comforters from big box stores with ties 8-10" apart & after so many washes the thread breaks from the stress & the comforter's fill gets lumpy. It's not that much extra work to add more ties (don't break floss every time, just continue to next area & snip in the middle later) and the results are well worth it. Tying is less secure as is & then if tied far apart it's kind of asking for problems, in my experience.

Buckeye Rose

The function of the quilting or ties is to secure the batting so it doesn't move, shift or get lumpy in one spot. Comforters or quilts from years ago weren't washed like our quilts are today, so they could get away with less quilting or ties. If you quilt, by machine or hand, you are securing that batting much more than a tie, which is just two threads in one spot. So when buying a batting for a tied quilt, look specifically for battings with a scrim.

ckcowl

Each batting states the recommendations for quilting distances. If your choice requires 2"-4" quilting and you use 10" lines between or tie every 6" when the quilt is laundered the batting will separate and become balls of batting with bare areas. It is important to choose the batting that is going to fit your plan. There are battings that are recommended for tied quilts, some that need to be quilted every 2" , some that allow up to 10" between lines and everything in between. More quilting is OK but less can cause results you will be very unhappy with down the road.

tessagin

I check the instructions on the bag or bolt for the batting. If it calls for up to 10", usually a 1/3 of that is good for tying. That is about the width of a hand my hand in the knuckle area. The other day, I was getting ready to baste a small whole cloth quilt for my dogs. I thought geez while I'm doing this I could be tying. Worked for me all I had to do was bind it. I was practicing but it worked for furbabies. I was basting the Sharon Shamberg technique with the 2 boards.

carolynjo

A small word of warning: If the tied quilt is to be a gift for a child, do NOT leave long thread tails. There is danger of the child wrapping the strings around fingers and cutting off the circulation to a finger or two. Yes, that has actually happened. I leave my thread tails an inch long--no longer.