??Bamboo batting??

I have found that my bamboo batting has started to beard a little bit

YMMV

Dee in Oz

Remember that bamboo is NOT the plant fibers: it's a type of viscose/rayon made from bamboo celulose. This doesn't make it bad, just not quite as natural as cotton. :) I've read some very encouraging things about it as a fiber, but I'm not sure it's as good for the planet as people are fooled into thinking just because it's bamboo. It's bamboo the same way as rayon is trees...

I haven't used bamboo yet just because I want to see some real feed back from quilts that have been around awhile. I figure someone else will be the guinea pig with their quilts. I would be hesitant to use customers to test. Could be a way to lose customers if it doesn't turn out so well. I can't remember where, could have been here, but someone was griping about bamboo yarn socks wearing very poorly. That concerns me. Harriet Hargrave sells a bamboo/cotton blend. You might email her and find out how that is working out. I quit getting QNM but they do batting reviews once in a while. Maybe there has been something there. I think I would stick with what you know works for at least one more roll maybe. HTH, Taria

Just limited experience with Bamboo, but the finished quilt seemed lighterweight and flatter than W&N. Could be there are different lofts and I got the flat one. I think your customers would definitely notice a difference. I was all over it when it first came out, but now I'm not so sure either. I've read it's not nearly as environmentally-friendly as the marketing would make you think. I loved the way it feels, but that's not even relevant since you can't feel it once it's in the quilt.

Sherry

I put it on par with the one made from recycled soda bottles. Yuck. I'll stick with WnN thanks! (at least I know how the project will turn out and last)

amy in CNY

Thanks for all you input. I think I'll stick to what I know

Ann

Bamboo is nice but moe expensive than W&N. Most people want to try bamboo because it is renewable, not a synthetic, etc. BUT, cotton is also renewable and in my opnion needs less processing than bamboo. Sooooo...

My point, I guess... Thanks Kate.

The last two quilts my group made for Relay for Life Drawing had the cotton/bamboo batting. The long arm quilter liked how it worked up. She quilted extensively and the stitching really was fantastic. They are lighter and have a nicer drape than the W&N, IMO. Since I did not win one, I can't report on how they stand up to use. Pat in VA/USA

Bonnie,

I totally agree with you about cotton being renewable. Even though I've heard lots of horror stories about the chemicals used to grow cotton, I also know that cotton CAN be organic and does not have to have so many chemicals used to grow. My mom used to lease some of her acreage to a cotton grower and there was minimal spraying.

Judie

Howdy!

Info:

I was talking to a friend who lectures at guilds. One of her lectures is on all the different battings. I asked her about her experience with bamboo.

She said the fairfield brand sold at Joann's does beard over time.

She said there was another brand that was better and didn't beard but couldn't remember the name off hand.

It's still new stuff so the jury is definitely not in when it comes to wear over the years. Also, it sounds green but frankly is made with a whole lot of chemicals and not all countries who process it dispose of those chemicals wisely.

marcella