Would like to hear your thoughts about batting

I am learning about batting (among other techniques!) Can anyone give a thought about when to use which kind of batting?

I learn that the thinnest batting is good for FMQ'ing,(I meander and STID) and in using/doing that... I find the quilt to be stiff which is fine if used as a blanket. However, I want a quilt for a child to be soft and cuddly. Even for me.. I have one that I meandered to use at the TV to cover with (when it was cold) and it was so stiff... I couldn't get it to "form" around me enough to stay warm and finally just went back to my crochets afghan for great warmth! So I want a quilt that will be soft, cuddly and "wrap-up-able".

So..I recently heard something about the thickness of the batting..thinner it is, stiffer it will make the quilt.THe close the FMQ'ing, the stiffer the quilt. However, I have heard that the thicker/puffier the batting, the harder it is to FMQ and (from experience) the puffier the quilt, it tends to just look kind of sloppily made.

So can I hear what y'all think about batting and how you use the different thickness's of batting? And what kind of difference is there between cotton and polyester batting

If you are just looking for "snuggly" use fleece on the back. It will serve as both batting and backing.

Well, I agree about poly being softer. I usually SITD quilt, and find that using a low loft poly makes a softer quilt than the thinner batting, no matter how you quilt it. Personal preference.

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Originally Posted by bakermom

If you are just looking for "snuggly" use fleece on the back. It will serve as both batting and backing.

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Hadn't thought about that...have you done that? I guess in thinking it through the batting is there not just for "thickness" but to "hide" the seams and all from coming through the back.. that might work. Anyone ever tried that?

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Originally Posted by Jean Sewing Machine

Well, I agree about poly being softer. I usually SITD quilt, and find that using a low loft poly makes a softer quilt than the thinner batting, no matter how you quilt it. Personal preference.

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Appreciate that. I can get that kind of batting...will be shopping at Joann's on Friday with my 6 50% off coupons! I will look into that!

No matter what kind of batting you use (low loft, high loft, poly, cotton, poly/cotton, wool, bamboo, etc, etc,etc), the denser or tighter you free motion quilt, or do any type of heavy quilting, it will be stiff. The looser the quilting, the snugglier or drapier it will be.

I love Hobbs and Quilter's Dream (both 100% cotton and blends), and Warm and Natural. I've quilted loosely and heavily with all and love how they come out.

I will say this; Warm and Natural (whether natural or white) tends to be a stiffer batting and is great for wall hangings. Having said this, I still use it more often than any other batting because of its availability to buy it, and price. I have many bed quilts and lap quilts that I used around my house with WnN. After the quilt has been washed a few times, it does soften up.

I used microfleece for the backing and a cotton/poly blend batting, and not a whole lot of quilting to keep it soft.

It is wonderfully soft and cuddly! My 24 month old grandson LOVES to cuddle with the "deyult" on the couch. :-)

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I have to agree with Jean. Poly batting is just softer and more cuddly. I always use poly batting when making for my grand kids. I feel that unless it is going to hang on the wall it should be 'user friendly' and not stiff. STID with quilting foot, achieves the effect I think you are looking for. Good luck with what ever you decide to do.

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Originally Posted by coffeebreak

Hadn't thought about that...have you done that? I guess in thinking it through the batting is there not just for "thickness" but to "hide" the seams and all from coming through the back.. that might work. Anyone ever tried that?

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I've done that many times. I put fleece on the back of quilts I made DDs when they were in college 10+ years ago. They are still sot and nice. They have been used a lot, too. It makes for a cozy quilt. for babies i use minky-type fleece-a bit trickier but ooh so soft.

I have only ever used Warm and Natural...the beauty of it is it can be quilted up to 10" apart. I use it because I like the feel of it...I just used it in a quilted that machine tied, it is not stiff and drapes. The quilting does have a lot to do with the drape. Notice how comforters are quilted...very far apart. What ever you go with just take all of it in consideration and you'll achieve what you want! Great question!! I have been wanting to try wool batting so I'm waiting to see what people say!!

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Originally Posted by Cat n bull

I used microfleece for the backing and a cotton/poly blend batting, and not a whole lot of quilting to keep it soft.

It is wonderfully soft and cuddly! My 24 month old grandson LOVES to cuddle with the "deyult" on the couch. :-)

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Isn't he a cutie! Looks like he loves his quilt!

I use bamboo. It's thin, but softer than cotton. And the other girls are right - don't quilt close together. Use a large meandering stitch or leave lots of space if STID.

I use a combo - 80% cotton to 20% poly in natural color.. it's all about the price and whats available. I've use the hi loft poly on some special project where I wanted to do some trump loiy.(sp) "Raised areas of design with close stitching around that and shadowing of fussy cut images. " But for everyday use on the cheap.. use flannel for backing and batting. It's easy to laundry and not too heavy to use year round.

that's just my opinon, tho

When people refer to softer or harder quilting does this mean the tension on the machine or just how far apart the quilting is apart

They are talking about how far apart the stitching will be.. loosely means keep the stitches farther apart. the closer you make your stitches, the harder the quilt will feel and will take several washing before it becomes softer... farther apart your line of stitching, the softer your quilt will feel.

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Originally Posted by ajs88

When people refer to softer or harder quilting does this mean the tension on the machine or just how far apart the quilting is apart

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Originally Posted by ajs88

When people refer to softer or harder quilting does this mean the tension on the machine or just how far apart the quilting is apart

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I use the term "stiffer" or "harder" to me the plyability of the finished quilt. Does it wrap around you nicely or is it to stiff to wrap. Does it "bend" or again, just to stiff. Stiff is okay for a blanket over a sheet on the bed, but I want softer for cuddeling and wrapping up in.

Most of my quilts are for use on our beds, and sometimes the quilting becomes the focal point of a quilt. I prefer Warm and Natural and Warm and White. Since all our beds have electric blankets and we use electric throws on the couch in the winter, my quilts are not necessarily for warmth, but for decoration. I've never used high loft batting on a longarm machine, but would like to try it. The backing is pinned to the leaders and then a plumb line is stitched on the top edge of the batting so the quilt top can be put on straight. I would probably have to use water soluble stabilizer on top of the high loft batting or the needle would get caught in it.

I have many heavily quilted quilts and find them comfortable to wrap myself in on a cold day. I really think it's a matter of preference.

I'm with Granny Judy. My grandmother has used flannel, or outing as she calls it, as a batting for all of the baby quilts she has made. She does it so the "batting" won't shift no matter how many times you wash it. She figures that the quilts she's making will be going through the wash multiple times, and she's right. It seems to be the perfect weight with two layers of cotton. I'll grab it for snuggling on a cool summer's evening or a cold winter one. It can take a really wide space for quilting too.

I have had good luck with the warm and natural/white batting. I have a few different batts lined up. One is a fusible batting, and the other is a bamboo blend. It will be interesting to see how they differ when they are done.

Denis is really right. It is all a matter of preference!