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How to Quilt>Batting and Thread for Your Quilts
Batting and Thread for Your Quilts
As quilters, we spend a lot of time toiling over fabric selection. It is important to remember that the unseen aspects of quilting – thread and batting – are just as important as the fabrics we choose. After all, without the batting it isn’t really a quilt and without the thread, it would all fall apart! There are many batting options today and many ways to buy them. Batting is the padding that is sewn between the quilt top and quilt back. Cotton batting is a good choice for beginners since it is easy to work with. It also works well with small projects. Most cotton batting these days is a blend of cotton and polyester. For the purists, this can be somewhat frustrating, however, the polyester content means that the batting will not migrate - allowing you to quilt further distances apart. Some batting has a scrim (a thin layer that helps keep the batting from separating) or is bonded (infused with a glue-like substance). These processes help keep the batting together, but make it difficult to hand quilt. Check the package label if you plan to hand quilt. Polyester batting is popular because it is inexpensive and lightweight. Polyester batting will add fluffiness to your quilt projects but might present some challenges for hand quilting.
Wool batting absorbs moisture and is very warm. Since it is flatter than polyester, it won’t give the fluffy appearance but still can make some beautiful quilt projects. One tip about using wool batting – wash your quilt according to the wool batting directions. Otherwise the batting might shrink and change the entire look and structure of your quilt. Bamboo batting is fairly new to quilters, but it offers many exciting qualities. Bamboo’s natural fibers are known for keeping you cool. Those same natural fibers insure warmth when it’s cold. Bamboo is also has properties that make it great for people with allergies. Because bamboo has a scrim (a thin layer that helps keep the batting from separating), it is not a good choice for hand quilting. Most bamboo batting on the market is a blend of organic cotton and bamboo. It is more expensive, but if you’re going green with your quilting it’s worth a try! Bamboo batting has some shrinkage. Be sure to read the information on the packaging and prepare accordingly. Thread Threads often gather our attention easier than batting simply because, like fabrics, there are so many colors to ponder. Using a thread that is invisible or one that stands out in your quilt projects is a matter of personal choice. Your choice may vary per project. The only way to know your preference is to experiment with your thread choices. While experimenting with colors, though, be sure to select the right thread for the project. For example, 100 percent cotton thread is best for piecing quilts. Cotton thread is easier to remove if a mistake is made. It is also a good choice because most of us quilt with 100 percent cotton fabric, so the thread and the fabric tend to shrink at the same rate. The thread you choose will have a lot to do with the technique you are using for your quilt. Silk threads are wonderful for hand appliqué projects made with a running or rocking stitch. The thread will be nearly invisible. If using a button hole stitch for your hand appliqué, use a 30-weight cotton thread. It is light enough not to distract from your design, but strong enough to make secure stitches. Don’t assume it’s best to use the same threads you would use for hand appliqué for machine appliqué work. On your sewing machine, appliqué is best with the invisible monofilament as your sewing thread and a 60 weight bobbin. Buying thread is like buying produce. You don’t have to thump the spools to know if they are ripe for sewing, but there are some clues to help you know whether the thread you are buying is good. For instance, spools of thread that look like they have been on the shelf for two decades might well have been. In that length of time, the thread may have begun to rot. If it looks old, don’t buy it. If you buy your quilting supplies from one particular store, you probably have an idea of how they rotate their stock. Ask a clerk when the thread arrived. Clerks will also be handy in helping you find the correct thread weight for your projects. Be careful when buying threads from online stores and auctions. Keep in mind that you cannot inspect them in person so you don’t really know the quality of what you are buying. Keep that in mind when offering a price for bulk threads. There are some wonderful places in which to buy threads online. As with any shopping experience, when you develop a rapport with the store owner or representative, you will almost always have a good shopping experience. Reputable online store owners welcome questions and give thorough answers.
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren www.How-to-Quilt.com
©2009, Penny Halgren This article courtesy of http://www.How-To-Quilt.com. You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.
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