Friday, October 10, 2008

trying new batting

After handquilting through Warm and Natural on my last quilt I was ready to try some different batting. This time I have Heirloom 80/20 cotton /polyester batting. So far its okay - I thought it would be a lot better. I think I'll try at least one other type of batting before basting up my 4 block applique quilt. Any suggestions??
Happily this project will keep me busy for awhile - I just have to have some portable handwork on the go! - at all times :0)
Happy Thanksgiving !

6 comments:

Marilyn Robertson said...

I like hand quilting through the Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 batting. Another nice batting is Hobbs wool. Many say it is like quilting through butter. I don't know if I would totally agree, but it is nice!

MARCIE said...

Hi Janet, I really like low loft poly. I don't use it any more, because it is so out of vogue. As a result my hand stitching has suffered. I mostly use Quilter's Dream Cotton now. It comes in different weights and if they carry it at your local QS you can check them all out.

Anonymous said...

Hi Janet

I love Hobbs Thermore, Hobbs Poly Down (has a bit more loft)or Blue Ribbon Cotton.

cheers
Christine

Diane said...

What beautiful applique in this post. I used to teach hand quilting and blamed Warm & Natural batting for turning so many women against hand quilting. It is extremely dense, making it hard to maintain small stitches that go all the way through to the back of the quilt. Christine, in the previous comment, mentions three battings that are quite different from W&N. Each of them needles well, as do Quilter's Dream or Heirloom. Also consider fiber content: Polyester is puffier, but doesn't breathe. Blur Ribbon cotton gives a flat, antique look, but must be quilted every 1" to 1 1/2". I enjoy working with any of the 80/20% cotton polyester blends.

Nana B said...

There is also a few new battings that might sound awful but might be the thing. They are very soft and needle easily. They are made from bamboo, soy and one from recycled pop bottles. They are "green" so they are not natural but they are non-allergenic. The bamboo and soy are put out by Fibre Co. of Fort Worth and the recycled is done by Quilters Dream. Check their web sites.

Jean Carlton said...

Good idea to test batting before basting a big project - I was not that smart and had a queen to do on batting I hated. I do like Hobb's 80/20 for hand quilting. Warm and Natural is too thick- more for wall hangings than draping on a bed IMHO. Have not hand quilted it. Starting a wool one now....will see how I like that.