Batting

I bought some Pellon 100% cotton batting when it was on sale at JoAnn's a month or two ago. I had a quilt done this week by my longarmer and she told me that it was the best batting she had ever used. She and I normally use Warm & Natural, although it can be a bit too stiff. The Pellon is very soft and easy to use. She said that she had used the Pellon on the bolt but didn't think it was as nice as what I bought in the package. Anyway, just thought I'd mention it and ask if anyone else has used it.

Jill

No, I haven't used it but will look for it the next time I am at the shop. Glad you like it.

here the name Pellon is a product that is only used for very small items . Have never seen anything like it used in a quilt.

I have not tried it either. I mainly use Thermore because it handles so well and makes for a really warm quilt.

My Joanns carries a full array of different types of Pellon interfacings. I'll have to look and see if they carry the batting. I did find it online.

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=zprd_10993699a

While looking for a place to ask a question, I found this (I wonder how I missed it before?).

Jill, how did the Pellon batting wash up? Did it shrink? And how warm is it?

I'm looking for some advice on battings - I'm a WnN kinda gal, but I'm concerned that using it for a quilt for MY bed will be too much. Currently we have a poly-batted JC Penney comforter on our bed (I know, I know...) and it's the right warmth for Mr. W. I put my 'nap quilt' - the raw-edged Bullseye quilt that got me to join you all in the first place - on my side of the bed, but though warm, it's heavy and tends to drag all the bedding over to my side, leaving Mr. W. air conditioned and me a bit 'dewy' by the time morning rolls around.

Of course it's the blanket's fault. I would never hog the bedding.

So the new quilt for our bed is close to being ready to baste (she says after 6+ years of working on it). I'm wondering if using WnN will be too heavy/hot for Mr. W. or if it'll be okay if it's not laying on top of a plastic/poly-batted comforter. Maybe I should just look for a decent poly?

I don't have much experience with the other cotton or cotton blends out there; does anyone have suggestions?

FB I think the way battings feel must be a very personal thing . This is my take on how they affect ME. Cotton....... I can't feel any warmth from a cotton batt at all so to me they are only of use as a decorative cover. Wool ....... I find this very heavy and also not a lot of benefit
Poly........ is my batt of choice as for me it is toasty warm , soft, light and cuddly. All the things I want in a quilt that is for a " blanket" type quilt. I know Poly went out of fashion and I only have at present one horrible quilt that was given to me after the fires. Ugly as all get out . Made from scraps of worn sheeting , dress poly, curtains etc but it is warm and very snuggly. I see it can be purchased again and I intend having my next finish done with it . I know there are plenty of people " who know " disagree with me ie... the natural brigade , but as I said it is a personal choice and this is my two cents worth .

I have used poly only once or twice, use WN alot and now the Pellon. No problems with the Pellon, and it isn't quite as stiff as WN. I agree with an earlier comment that the cotton batting just isn't warm enough.

I buy about 15 to 20 yards of WnN at a time and just keep usin' it. I wonder if you can buy the Pellon brand by the yard. Is it lighter in weight? The quilt I have on our bed is a king with Warm and Natural 100% cotton batting. It is really quite heavy and making the bed is a tug and pull kind of affair. I would not mind something lighter.

Thermore is lighter than W&N, and mcu warmer.

This is the kind of info I think I need, everyone. Please keep it coming!

So, WnN is heavy but not all that warm. Thermore is warmer and lighter. Pellon (cotton) is softer (lighter?) than WnN.

What kind of poly do you use, HP? WnN makes a poly version, I think it's called Soft n Crafty? It's like needle-punched, I think?

I don't think that we need much in the way of weight, but I was thinking cotton because it breathes (though our current comforter doesn't breathe... hmmm) and Mr. W., like many of his species, has little need of extra heat at night.

FB it must be 20 years since I purchased a Poly batting but when I used to buy it I loved Mountain Mist .

I haven't tried it yet. . .but I'm going to try Hobbs Washable Wool - - I think it's supposed to be fluffier and lighter weight than the cotton and cotton/poly blends, but breathable and non-perspiration producing like poly.

I agree with HP on the Mountain Mist batting, its soft, cosy, lightweight and warm without being heavy and too hot or too cold, it washes and dries well too. I have a queen size roll of their gold label in my sewing room to use on a quilt for our bed, top is made, I have backing but put off assembling it as I simply cant quilt it on my old sewing machine :-( and havent time to hand quilt at the moment, not that big a project anyways

I also have whats left of a quilt store roll of matilda's own cotton batting, an aussie brand. Its lovely and soft and flexible, hand and machine quilts beautifully. Its cosy and snuggly but not too hot. I lucked out, where we used to live a quilt store closed down and had a big sale, 60-8-% off and Id just got my tax return, woo hoo, I bought the roll of batting off their big rack, think I paid $40 for it and Ive been using it for the last 4yrs. I keep it wrapped in a sheet standing in the linen closet LOL

I find some of the cotton ones are quite cosy, the worst I ever got was a 'thermal' batting, even inside an all flannel quilt its not warm, its the coolest quilt I have, go figure.

Here is a totally random idea, have you thought of putting a double layer in just the top half of the quilt, top and bottom opposite sides? So your side has a thicker layer and extra warmth and DH's is one layer? If you only did it on half the width and length it would cover the area of your torso. Say you sleep on the left side of the bed, if you put a second layer in the top left side of your quilt it would suit you. Now if your quilt will be turnable, as in able to go on the bed either way with no distinct top or bottom then you could put a double layer in two sections (one would be on DH's feet though) You'd lay the quilt top out, put the double layer in the top left or right corner, depending which is your side and then put the second piece of double layer in the opposite bottom corner. That way no matter which way you put the finished quilt on your bed, your side will always have the extra layer across your torso. Let me guess, my thoughts are clear as mud but then, you have a nack for seeing through mud so maybe you will get what I mean

Oh I have to admit, Im fond of utilising blankets as batting, lightweight poly or velux ones have made great batting for me in the past, the quilt I just made laura for her birthday I used an old twin bed poly blanket as batting. If you have a favourite weight blanket then it might be worth considering using as a batting, just a thought.

Huh. Leave it to GC to take a left turn and actually be onto something...

I have to admit that I'm leaning toward a poly batt. It's been at least a decade since I've used one in anything other than a table topper or wallhanging, but I keep thinking that what we currently have on the bed is poly & Mr.W. prefers it to the WnN.

Adding a second layer to my side has some merit, too. I wonder if it would look odd.

It would also be easier to wash & dry because it would be lighter weight...

I'm a bit confused. I don't usually 'do' poly. I must come to grips...

OKAY... I have to insert my opinion here too.... since I use to 'educate' quilters on batting, types and uses... I have some personal preferences just like everyone else.

remember ORGANIC fibers will 'breathe' and allow heat circulation

Cotton batting...there are lots of different ones out there including 80% cotton and 20% poly. I have found that for machine quilting these two are the best for large quilts. Yes, they can be stiff should you do alot of quilting on them..however, they do soften up ALOT with washing. As you all know I live in a cold climate and sleep with the window open a bit. With that said, we have three cotton filled quilts on our bed and are quite comfortable. I don' t find them too heavy (we have three) and I don't have a problem with them migrating (we have three) and even DH is comfortable sleeping under them (we have three).

Wool.... LOVE WOOL for quilting, softness, and draping. I find wool comfortable to sleep under and lightweight. Gives great definition when quilting. Wonderful for hand quilting.

Poly.... yes you can get that 'comforter' look with poly. I don't like it much. I find it hard to work with while machine quilting and it has alot of high and low spots, so you don't get an even look in your quilt. I don't like sleeping under a poly bat has it doesn't 'breathe' and thus you sweat. When machine quilting the top and bottom fabrics will slide about on poly bats....with smaller projects this wouldn't be a big problem.

Pellon... I am not aware that there is a cotton Pellon I thought it was only poly but much denser.

Bamboo... looks like cotton WN, but very soft. It also quilts like WN only without the stiff feel. I have used this on a couple of quilts and they turned out nice. I have not slept under one nor have I washed a quilt after using this batting.

Silk.... yea, well if you can afford a silk batting then you probably don't really care about any of the above batting anyway.

I have not mentioned any Brands as there are so many out there to chose from. However, recently I have had a lady bring me some of her quilts to quilt for her and she has been including pre pkg poly battings she gets either from JoAnn's or Walmart....I HATE THESE BATTINGS these are the type of battings that are in those cheap comforters that migrate to the corners after a couple of washings... anyway, they are really awful.
I would really recommend (should you want to use a pre pkg poly) to take that batting out of the pkg and unfold it, take a look. Most places will allow you to do this and you can easily roll up these battings and put back in the pkg afterwards.
Bottom line ... it is all preference but there are certain bats out there that work well for the technique you are wanting to use.

For puffy, comforter type...use poly or wool
For dimension of quilting...use wool or poly that is consistent in loft
For ease of machine quilting..use cotton, Thermore, cotton blends
For warmth.... I use organic fiber..either cotton, wool or blends. If you get overly heated when wearing polyester, then you will get over heated under a poly quilt.

As I said, this is my opinion and what I have learned. There are way more choices in batting out there now days then when I was doing my research. I am glad that I have my fav's and don't have to go 'looking' for something else.

What a lot of great info, Mamu!! Thank you!!

thanks Mamu... makes lots of sense...

(Psst, I was kinda waiting for Mamu to chime in. I knew she'd have an opinion...!)


So, I do agree with what you've said, Mamu - in fact it's close to what I teach, too. You have hands-on experience with some of the batting types, whereas in some cases I only have research and theory.

This is why I asked for opinions. I am having problems coming to terms with a full-on poly batt (though I really can't fault my logic - what we have works fine). Maybe I should consider a blend.

One thing I'll add to your information (a lot of this I learned from Quilton, BTW) - Bamboo is bad. It is a dream to quilt and feels as yummy as custard between your toes but -

It beards something terrible. It is the opposite of ecologically responsible (it is sustainable but not responsible - the chemicals and techniques used to make the lovely stuff are horrendous), and it will not pass a burn test but rather turn into napalm when lit.

Agree with you re the Bamboo FB. I had an award winning [ multiple ] quilter here tell me that her batt of choice for quilting was Poly . We are not talking about these cheap poofy looking craft poly batts but good quality. So whatever is written or said always remember it is only THAT persons opinion or experience . It isn't naturally the correct one. Re Migrating fibers , I have found that wool will do that also. And don't forget that wool is wool and needs the very careful washing that any wool products need . Lasting ability without felting ? who knows . I know I would not use it for a childs quilt that was being washed often Thin spots ? I had a wool batting that had the worse thin spots in it and an actual LARGE hole . Made the batt unusable . We don't get cheap battings here . It is all the " good " manufacturers which this was ....Matildas. The makers would take no responsibility for the fault and the seller I purchased it from had to wear the expense of replacing it for me . We can all have bad experiences . The worse batting I ever hand quilted was an organic cotton. Near impossible to push the needle through and a long armer told me that she also hated them. The new poly battings are beautifully thin and drape lovely. Re the bearding . I think the only batting I have used that doesn't beard to some degree is cotton . I suppose what it comes down to is what you need the quilt for. I would only use a quilt for warmth if it was a couch quilt [ which I don't need as my house is toasty warm in winter ] or an emergency quilt for a car. Other than that my quilts are decorative bed covers that are removed or folded back at night and not used as blankets . This I should imagine would be what governs whether a batting is good for you . As I said ....nothing is " the right one to use " it is all opinions and personal needs . This you find by trial and error and your own use., not someone elses .I have seen so many articles in magazines written by so called experts that all differ, They can't all be correct . Not meaning to tread on any ones toes . This is my opinion and to me is the correct one . You form your own . My bottom line would be to suit your batt for its use and to NOT buy cheap ones whatever they are made from . I agree with Mamu re the cheap Poly batts . I haves seen people using them and they look like a sheer in places . Evan as a bed covering they would not look good with their high and low spots .

Lots of great input and thoughts here, its great to read everyones experiences. FB if I was going to double up the corners for extra personal warmth then it would dictate a soft supple and thin batting then I dont think it would really show

I am currently using a 50/50 cotton poly batting that is for long arm quilting....I get it from JoANns witha coupon or onsale! It actually is nice and doesn't shrink too much...I don't like shrinkage. I've tried to pre shirnk cotton batting or the 80/20 batting...it tends to rip when you handle it too much when wet. Am happy with the queen quilt as you go I did with it, but haven't washed it yet.

TMM I love the look that you get with shrinkage if it is on " old looking " quilts. Repros, 30's fabrics and old style applique. Don't like it on modern looking quilts/ applique or what I term quick quilts ...ie ones made with larger piecing pieces

At Harriet Hargraves website you can order a package of 16 (I think) squares of different kinds of batting. Then you can make mini test quilts to see how the different battings feel and how they wash, etc. I'm thinking I might order them and try a few out. Of course, you can't tell how it would feel to sleep under it.

I just checked my package of Pellon "Nature's Touch" and it says on the package that it is 100% cotton. I have used it on small projects such as wallhangings and placemats, but nothing bigger. My LAer said it was heaven to use. I'm just passing on what my experience has been. I buy either Pellon or Warm/Natural at JoAnn's when there is a sale. I've used poly a couple of times a while back but didn't care for it at all.