need opinions on Microsafe batting

During 2008 I will be making HUG size quilts (53 by 70) for the missionaries supported by our church. Because many of these friends live in warm climates and areas where washer/dryers are not available I was considering using a polyester batting rather than my usual cotton batting. The poly dries so much faster and would be lighter to ship. The idea behind the quilt is to remind the missionary that someone remembers them. The size is just right for wrapping around yourself and giving yourself a HUG on those days when you are feeling lonely or down. These need to be cuddly not necessarily warm for sleeping.

Has anyone used the traditional loft Microsafe Batting from JoAnn's? How does it compare to other polyester batting? Is it cuddly? Does it breath? I am thinking of using the 40% off coupon and ordering a bolt this week end.

Susan

The HUG quilts will be quilted on a long arm machine. This is the only way I could finish enough in the two years before we will be leaving the area (husband retires in Feb. 2010!) At our former church I lead a group which made close to 100 quilts for our missionaries over a period of six years. For the first year I wanted an easy pattern since I didn't know the skill level of some that had volunteered to help. I chose the rail fence with signatures on the center rail to add a little something extra to such a basic pattern. The missionaries really enjoyed the signatures so we continued to include them in some way on the remainder of the quilts.

After 36 years we decided it was time to change churches. (Too long and personal a story for here.) Fortunately for us there are other strong Bible believing churches in the area so we didn't have to look far. At our new church I want to continue my missionary quilt idea but learn from the past and make it simpler. The original quilts were queen size but I think the HUG size is just right. Instead of signatures on the blocks, they will be on the back. A committee must collect the signatures which I will incorporate on the back. I will not lead a quilting group but if others want to contribute tops that is wonderful. A collection of tops will be kept on hand. Anytime a missionary is in town or someone is traveling to visit a missionary they can choose a top, signatures will be gathered and the piece quilted. We could even email photos of a few tops and let the missionary choose their own favorite. Email has really changed the life of most missionaries!

I found at the other church that I spent as much time coordinating the group and gathering signatures as I did piecing the tops. Most of those tops were also quilted on a long arm machine.

I still haven't told the church I plan to make the quilts. I want to have at least 10 samples finished so they understand what I plan to do. The fabric will come from my stash and UFO's. The key factor is establishing the signature committee but I don't think this will be a problem because the church continues to have a strong volunteer core.

Wish I could start >I know nothing about that batting, but there is one thing you may want to

I think cotton would be a better bet for a very warm climate, Susan. Polyester doesn't seem to let your skin breathe and I seriously avoid it unless I'm for sure not going to be outside. This area is shown as 'tropical' on the maps and we certainly stay away from poly as much as possible. The fluffy poly batting just seems hot to me. IMHO, of course, Polly

"Susan Laity Price" The HUG quilts will be quilted on a long arm machine. This is the only

Could you use just a layer of flannel for the batting? It wouldn't be so heavy, but yet easy to quilt - you wouldn't have to quilt it every 2-4 inches because it wouldn't fall apart or ball up.

I would also think the polyester batts would be less likely to mildew in some climates....ok, faster drying would be pretty much the same thing, huh? Doh! Head slap!

Having lived in the tropics (Martinique), I'd suggest a summer weight quilt with NO batting.......front and back nicely quilted. Polyester is so hot.........

Maybe a blend if you really think they need batting.......

Lenore

Howdy!

I'm w/ you, Polly. Batt Mart has a good price on batting; Karen made me get a bolt of Hobbs Heirloom 80/20; shipping was fast, batting is lovely (it's from Tx., you know ).

I don't even look at JoAnn's batting anymore. The only poly battI'll use is Hobbs Thermore, thin-thin, lovely hand to it. R/Sandy--grew up in the "Tropics of Texas" --and they meant it, too

p.s. Of the several dozen churches I've attended, every > I think cotton would be a better bet for a very warm climate, Susan.

I am a great fan of the Hobbs 80/20. For this project I was thinking poly for drying time. For those of you who live in a tropical climate, how would you dry a quilt with the Hobbs 80/20? Maybe I can send a sample quilt to a few missionaries in more primitive areas and see what they like. Thanks for everyone's input.

Susan

Susan, I really don't think they would have a problem drying a quilt with Hobbs 80/20. The real concern would be hanging it in fierce sunshine and the quilt top fading to nothingness. Probably it would be best to hang it outside but sheltered and perhaps covered by a white sheet. A friend of ours has suggested that stretching a quilt out flat on a trampoline would be the fastest but trampolines are a little hard to come by for missionaries we would think. Yes, do send a sample and ask if there are any drying problems. I just don't think there would be. Polly

"Susan Laity Price" I am a great fan of the Hobbs 80/20. For this project I was thinking

I hang my quilts over the line with the right side down so the sun hits the backing. Everything dries pretty quick here where we have no humidity though. I had a neighbor years ago that hung her laundry out at night. She said it dried softer if I remember right. She was from Columbia. I am not one for new fangled stuff so I would wait for some feedback on the new batting. Someone mentioned thermore. It is really lightweight. I have one friend that does all her quilts with that. Taria

Polly Esther wrote:

Consider also the missionary's age and gender. Menopausal women just cannot bear polyester ... guess how I know? ; ) Lobo ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Delete the obvious to reply to me personally. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~