Battings: MQ vs HQ recommendations

It so happens I've ordered a bolt of batting from JoAnn Fabrics in what is advertised as low-loft, suitable for clothing, etc. It was only about $30 for a big roll of 48" wide batting and I had free shipping so I couldn't resist. I've been looking for something for wall hangings, table runners, etc. I'll let you know what it's like when I get it.

Iris

One word - WOOL

I know many will be totally committed to cotton and cotton blends but wool and wool blends are just fabulous for both M and HQ.

I tested a small piece of the Matilda's Own silk/wool blend batt I mentioned a few weeks ago and it is my new ideal for clothing. All the good features of both fibres, and no problems so far. Beautiful drape, quilts close or up to

8"+, was great in machine trapunto, couldn't fault it. I haven't done more than a few test pieces, but I love this stuff. I can only assume that the wool/alpaca and the wool/mohair will be the same.

For most quilts I use 60/40 wool/poly blend from Matilda's Own. Machine quilts beautifully, easy needling by hand, softens with "resting" (ie feels a bit stiffer straight out of a pack or off roll, but softens when shaken out), warm (wool has great natural insulation properties), soft, light weight, washes like a dream (well, actually washes just like a wool jumper lol I put my quilts through the wool cycle in my washing machine albeit carefully), and is dead easy to handle.

I know that there are American wool batts (Hobb's springs to mind, the only one I tried personally) and of course many brands of cotton and poly batting, but Matilda's Own remains the best IMHO, followed by Nu-Wool, another Aussie brand. And "No" I don't think I am biased. We have access to any number of imported batts, but use this by preference even though it is a little bit dearer.

NAYY all of the above, but we use a LOT of batting here, and it is nearly ALL wool blend in quilts.

BTW - if your table runner is for daily use and will be washed frequently try using fleecy knit fabric (what we call poly/cotton track suiting, knit on the right side and brushed fleece finish on the inside) without a backing. Washes easy, dries fast and looks like a "traditional" quilted item. We do this in placemats, and I have full-length curtains over a doorway made up like this for easy washing. Don't scoff until you try it!

For machine quilting, I absolutely love Warm and White or Warm and Natural.

For handquilting I tend to use Quilter's Dream. Super easy to needle.

Both are low loft

Debbi in SO CA

Tricia wrote:

I use Hobbs Heirloom cotton/poly blend for most of my hand and machine quilting, though for table runners, I often use Warm and Natural (or Warm and White). I have also used Hobbs PolyDown, but prefer cotton batting for machine quilting because it seems to cling a bit better to the cotton fabrics in the backing and top.

Julia > Hi all,

Lowest loft possible. Lately I've been using Quilters Dream Select, because of how easy it is to acquire as the main reason. MQing to me is done for speed reasons. I want it done and out of my hair and I can forget about it. It's also very washable.

Again, low loft is easier. I have used Warm & Natural 100% cotton which is okay. I really like Matilda's Wool batting- even using it with linen thread and linen fabric (which love to to stick) it was a joy to use and not itchy like I feared. I *will* use the wool again.

I have tied quilts, and for that I want the highest possible loft which can only be gotten with polyester. These are more comforters and less quilts and easily washed.

For trapunto stuffing, I like a medium loft batting. The wool is fantastic. Cotton/poly blend will work too.

-georg

I use Hobbs 80/20 for both machine and hand quilting and find it works very well. It's low loft and easy to quilt, though it's even easier if soaked before using. I'm itching to try wool batting, and I can only dream of how lovely silk must be!

I've done both. The first time I did a handquilted piece, I used a cotton batt and found it very difficult. On a trip to Lancaster, PA, I saw a Mennonite woman quilting in a shop with a polysester batt and asked her about it. She told me that a good poly batt is much easier to needle and the stitches stand out better - even on very low loft batts. Tried it on my next project and she was right.

For Machine quilting, I usually use Warm and Natural. I just used Warm Blend for the last two quilts I did and I really like it.

L>Hi all,

For your purpose Tricia - which is similar to the small quilts I make a lot of times - you could try Hobbs Fusible (if you haven't already). I love it where I use it. I do stabilise the edges with tacks, because I don't actually press on the layers - I just hover the steam iron over it, so it comes loose. Sorry - I do machine quilting virtually exclusively.

I have used something like Warm and Natural for a snuggly quilt.

In message , Tricia writes

Me too on the Hobbs Sandy. About the wool, Your itching to try it .... You silly woman.

Glad you are home safe. We missed you. Taria

Sandy Foster wrote:

Thanks, Taria. It's good to be home. :)