Hand Quilting Part TWO...

Are you sure it's bearding and not just loose fibers? I haven't had problems with Warm & Natural bearding, but then the only black I use is Kona and it's so tightly woven that the batting couldn't bust thru it. Try a lint remover. Maybe??? Sorry you're having the troubles with W&N- I love that stuff and buy it by the bolt.

I have always used Warm and Natural too but, this is the first time hand quilting. I don't know what the problem is. Might be cheap fabric ?? Never thought of that. Bearding is when the white batting comes thru the holes right? Making sure I have my terminology right. I have white cotton balls coming out of every single hole in the black. :(

I'm surprised you are getting much bearding from W&N. If you had used white poly it would have been MUCH worse. Try going over it with one of those sticky roller deals. That will probably make it better.

When a quilt is dark, it really is easier to use dark batting. W&N has some as do other makers.

Don't be too discouraged. We've all fought this battle before.

Hang in there.

Happy quilting!

I remember talking to an Amish quilter outside of Lancaster about battings. I was surprised because she was using a polyester. She said they always use a high quality polyester for handquilting because it is easy to needle and DOESN'T push the fibers through the needle holes. She said that cotton does.

L>I'm surprised you are getting much bearding from W&N. If you had used white

Debi, I'm wondering how much bearding you're having to deal with. Let's see. You've said WH and I'm *assuming* you don't mean something as big as the wall and hoping there's not a lot of little white dotty fuzzies giving you grief. How about some cosmetic enhancing? There may be no way to remove the bearding but its appearance certainly will annoy you. Think about taking something fairly harmless such as a black washable felt pen and coloring the whiskers. I have a brand new pack of Crayola washable markers. Send the WH to me and I'll see how that works. I will return it to you. eventually. Polly

I use polyester batting, and have never had a problem with bearding, shifting, or anything else! My personal preference is "low loft". Your problem could be the fabric.

Howdy!

I've been handquilting for over 35 yrs. and from my own experience the needle does NOT push the cotton batting thru' the needle holes. Of course, I'm not Amish & she may be doing this differently. Sheesh---did the woman ever try cotton batting or is this another tale that gets passed along, ala "well, I've never tried it myself but I was told...". ;-D (No offense intended, Linda) The poly batt is usually cheaper than cotton or cotton blends; I think that's why they use it. I'll also put this out there: the Amish aren't the ultimate authorities on quilting. I mean, they're using polyester batt, for goodness sake! LOL They do it their way, the rest of us do it our way, & I think my way is better for me, and the longevity of my quilts. ;-)

R/Sandy

The only time I've had bearding problems, it's been with polyester batting, Debi, so I'm really surprised! Of course, I think I recall hearing (once upon a time ) that cotton *used* to beard before they began using scrims and various other treatments on it. I wouldn't really know. However, I do know that I've never had a problem with Hobbs 80/20 (which needles beautifully, especially if pre-soaked according to the package instructions). I do also love the *black* Hobbs 80/20 -- no worries there about it showing, even if it did beard! :)

Is there any chance the hand quilting thread is to blame? Could it be dragging on the batt and pulling it through. Just wondering, since I don't have any expertise in hand work.

I have no expertise at handquilting but I've been around the block a time or two with assorted handstitching. There have been some occasions - such as when I've used a white interfacing and made a black buttonhole on a black garment and had little pokeys appear - that I've resorted to assorted to skullduggery. Polly

Good point, Kathyl. Could it be that the thread being used for the quilting doesn't have that glaze on it? . In message , KJ writes

I used the hand quilting Gutermann's. Supposed to have the glaze right? I am getting the Metzlers next time and making sure I don't use CHEAP fabric. Live and learn eh?

Debi

It was just a flash of a thought Debi. Threads do vary though. I wonder if you can use beeswax, or its modern equivalent, even on thread which has been treated? . In message , DLW writes

hmmm I just too much of a rookie to know. Maybe someone else has an idea?

Thanks Patti!

Just putting my pennyth worth in What about the needle you're using. Is it blunt? Try using a good quality SHARP fine quilting needle. (that hasn't been in use since World War 2) Good quality fabric also helps. If you've got a thin low thread count fabric batting is bound to be squished through it as you quilt. (Especially if your needle is blunt)

I've had no probs with Guterman quilting thread and you would definitely need to wax Mettler. But I wouldn't have tried hand quilting W & N. Too thick for my stiff fingers. A better all cotton bat for hand quilting would be Dream Cotton Request weight. But if you're working with black then perhaps one of the black blends already suggested.

As you say you've probably learned a lot with this WALL HANGING... :))

Elly

"DLW" wrote:

I much prefer Gutermann thread to Mettler for hand quilting. Just MHO.