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this newbie surprised at how thin it is! (Moderated by Sharon1952)
Re: Batting, Warm and Natural (posted on 8/7/08 12:59 PM ET)
Hi All
I'm dabbling my toes in the quilting waters. Had much fun buying fat quarters - no prob there, seasoned fabric stasher
Also been spending birthday money on books, notions, tool, feet...
Anyway....
Best book so far is Quilt As Desired, explains all the tools and methods neccessary for both straightline and free motion quilting. Whilst ordering my Viking necc from the Sewing Machine shop, I ordered 1metre of Warm and Natural Cotton batting (we call it wadding in the UK).
I've used bog standard polyester wadding before, but mainly for card making and the like, never any actual quilting. I had a wee look on here and saw that many people like the WaN for machine quilting, so I thought that would be the business.
It arrived this morning and it really seems very thin to me. Had a look on the Warm Company website and nowhere does it mention thickness. Is this even relevant? I'm only planning doing small scale stuff, coin purses, bags, maybe table mats. No bed quilts! Whole reason for all this is I'm too ill to sew clothes at the moment and I need something with small seams and stages that can easily be stopped and started - so patchwork seemed ideal.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
AJ
-- Edited on 8/7/08 12:59 PM --
I'm dabbling my toes in the quilting waters. Had much fun buying fat quarters - no prob there, seasoned fabric stasher
Also been spending birthday money on books, notions, tool, feet...
Anyway....Best book so far is Quilt As Desired, explains all the tools and methods neccessary for both straightline and free motion quilting. Whilst ordering my Viking necc from the Sewing Machine shop, I ordered 1metre of Warm and Natural Cotton batting (we call it wadding in the UK).
I've used bog standard polyester wadding before, but mainly for card making and the like, never any actual quilting. I had a wee look on here and saw that many people like the WaN for machine quilting, so I thought that would be the business.
It arrived this morning and it really seems very thin to me. Had a look on the Warm Company website and nowhere does it mention thickness. Is this even relevant? I'm only planning doing small scale stuff, coin purses, bags, maybe table mats. No bed quilts! Whole reason for all this is I'm too ill to sew clothes at the moment and I need something with small seams and stages that can easily be stopped and started - so patchwork seemed ideal.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
AJ
-- Edited on 8/7/08 12:59 PM --
Posted on: 8/7/08 1:21 PM ET
In reply to xstpenguin
I love Warm and Natural, it's about the only batting I use. It also comes in Warm and White if you're using white or other very light colored fabrics, and I think there's a black version as well but not sure about that. Even though it seems very thin, it gives nice warmth, and would work very well for the projects you describe. It allows fairly wide distances between quilting lines and sews beautifully. Have fun with your projects, and welcome to quilting!
Linda
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Linda
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Grandma to arguably the cutest 10-year old ever!
Posted on: 8/7/08 3:14 PM ET
In reply to xstpenguin
I've used Warm and Natural and really like it. One thing about Warm and Natural is that it shrinks, being cotton, and gets a bit thicker when it shrinks. I think you can either preshrink it, or sew it in as in and it will shrink in the wash, making more of a quilted look.
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Kim
Posted on: 8/7/08 3:46 PM ET
In reply to xstpenguin
When I want a little more fluffiness (e.g., for a Christmas tree skirt), I like Hobbs Heirloom. But I usually use Warm & Natural because it's thin and because the scrim holds together so nicely that you don't have to quilt closely (a strain on the hands, especially when trying to maneuver a large quilt under the needle of a regular sewing machine).
It looks like Warm & Natural as improved its manufacturing process, as described here. I have a stash of W&N batting that's several years old, and the time I did not prewash it, oily residue bled through the finished quilt. However, it washed away just fine afterward.
It looks like Warm & Natural as improved its manufacturing process, as described here. I have a stash of W&N batting that's several years old, and the time I did not prewash it, oily residue bled through the finished quilt. However, it washed away just fine afterward.
Posted on: 8/7/08 7:17 PM ET
W&N is all I use. I don't like fluffy quilts. I like my quilts to look like the ones from days gone by and I get that look by using the 100% cotton W&N. I do not pre-shrink it either because I like the crinkled (wrinkled?) look you get after washing a completed project. If you want your project to be smooth after washing, then pre-shrink the W&N. The directions are on the package about how to do it.
Posted on: 8/8/08 7:11 AM ET
In reply to xstpenguin
AJ
Another fan of Warm and Natural. Its actually warmer than you would think its going to be. I have two or three quilts made from it. Its wonderful to work with as it quilts well and you don't have to quilt all that close together. It also doesn't come through the fabric and poke out in tufts the way the poly batting does. I use it all the time, and mum bought a roll of fifty metres of it and keeps it under her table. (she makes loads of quilts for the Project Linus charity). It washes really well too, which helps when making these charity quilts since they have to go through a machine. I haven't had a problem with shrinkage with mine, and I wash my bed quilts about three or four times a year, at least as I have a super messy dog, that thinks my bed is her bed (I should point out the quilt is for decoration on top of the duvet, I'm not a complete pig, and I do have several quilts in rotation).
It is rather good for small items as it isn't quite so floppy as the poly can be so its easier to cope with in a frame or under the machine.
Hope that helps.
Jenni
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Another fan of Warm and Natural. Its actually warmer than you would think its going to be. I have two or three quilts made from it. Its wonderful to work with as it quilts well and you don't have to quilt all that close together. It also doesn't come through the fabric and poke out in tufts the way the poly batting does. I use it all the time, and mum bought a roll of fifty metres of it and keeps it under her table. (she makes loads of quilts for the Project Linus charity). It washes really well too, which helps when making these charity quilts since they have to go through a machine. I haven't had a problem with shrinkage with mine, and I wash my bed quilts about three or four times a year, at least as I have a super messy dog, that thinks my bed is her bed (I should point out the quilt is for decoration on top of the duvet, I'm not a complete pig, and I do have several quilts in rotation).
It is rather good for small items as it isn't quite so floppy as the poly can be so its easier to cope with in a frame or under the machine.
Hope that helps.
Jenni
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http://sewyld.blogspot.com/
Chocolate is the answer... what was the question again?
Chocolate is the answer... what was the question again?
Posted on: 8/8/08 8:57 AM ET
I love it too and use it the most.
Posted on: 8/8/08 9:51 AM ET
Thanks! (and Jenni what on earth were you doing up so early?
)
I've received my walking foot, freemotion foot and freemotion grip. Still waiting on the new candlewicking foot and edge joining foot (what can I say, some people by shoes, some people buy feet
) BUT since I'm also still waiting on my extension table... straight lines first!?
My friend cut me some 10inch squares for practice 'sandwiches' and I'll cut the W&N to match. Baby steps! I'd like to see the pre - and un- shrunk results. And then there is the variegated thead! And the appliqué. Can you say 'eyes bigger than your stomach' anyone?

Cheers,
AJ
)I've received my walking foot, freemotion foot and freemotion grip. Still waiting on the new candlewicking foot and edge joining foot (what can I say, some people by shoes, some people buy feet
) BUT since I'm also still waiting on my extension table... straight lines first!?My friend cut me some 10inch squares for practice 'sandwiches' and I'll cut the W&N to match. Baby steps! I'd like to see the pre - and un- shrunk results. And then there is the variegated thead! And the appliqué. Can you say 'eyes bigger than your stomach' anyone?

Cheers,
AJ
Posted on: 8/8/08 9:56 AM ET
In reply to xstpenguin
AJ,
Please. You don't need to prewash batting.
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Please. You don't need to prewash batting.
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The single most important discovery made by a group of women? The Empty Tomb!
http://www.donnahodgson.blogspot.com/
http://www.donnahodgson.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 8/8/08 2:29 PM ET
I use Warm and Natural, too, and I don't prewash it. It'll pucker up a little when you first wash the finished project, but often it will relax back out with time - at least a big quilt will.
All batting looks thinner at first than it does when you're done. As you start quilting it, it'll magically start to take on more bulk. It will also shrink up a little, so between the quilting and any shrinkage, plan to cut your fabrics slightly larger than you want the finished projects if you care about exact dimensions. For the small craft projects you described, W&N is plenty thick - in fact, some people would even use a thinner batting or just flannel.
All batting looks thinner at first than it does when you're done. As you start quilting it, it'll magically start to take on more bulk. It will also shrink up a little, so between the quilting and any shrinkage, plan to cut your fabrics slightly larger than you want the finished projects if you care about exact dimensions. For the small craft projects you described, W&N is plenty thick - in fact, some people would even use a thinner batting or just flannel.
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