The other day was my grandson’s 16th birthday and it was fun to go out to dinner with the family and celebrate. He mentioned that his bedroom is cold and even with 2 of my quilts he is still cold. My daughter said that her quilt…..that I made almost 40 years ago……keeps her warm. Hmmmmmm, driving home I got to thinking about that and realized her quilt had a high loft polyester batting in it. It also dawned on me that she wasn’t using any of the new quilts I made on her bed.
I have been making all of my quilts now with Warm & Natural cotton batting and I have to admit……they just aren’t warm. I thought it was because I quilt heavily but even when I have tried quilting with a bigger loopy design…..the quilts aren’t that warm.
The night before last I woke up in the middle of the night and thought about the huge pile of 9 patch blocks I made about 6 years ago and never used and……a high-loft polyester batting that I had kept. I get some of my best ideas like that.
I decided to make each of the grandchildren a fast and easy scrappy quilt with all of those blocks. The 9 patch blocks…….I cut all the squares 16 years ago, so the fabrics are old! For some reason I cut them all 4 1/2 inches square. Then I stopped quilting and they sat in a box for about 10 years.
Thursday I pieced the quilt tops, the granddaughters have bunk beds so I made the quilts approximately 60 x 80. My grandson is tall so his quilt will be bigger. After piecing all 3 tops I still have a gazillion 9 patch blocks left so…..I pieced the backs too. Now I have about a million blocks left.
I wanted quilts that were warm and fast to make so I laid out the top and bottom and sewed 3 sides together. Then I turned it right side out and pushed the batting inside. I used safety pins to keep the batting in the corners and along the top and sides. Then I just did a free motion wiggle along the seams. I finished the bottom by just stitching it closed. Nothing fancy.
I finished 2 of them by last night and had to wait until this morning to take some photos. One had been washed, the other is in the wash machine now. Here is a closeup of the quilting after washing and drying the quilt.
These are quilts that I think of as utility quilts, they are meant to be used all the time, taken on picnics, out on the beach, wrap the dog in it……just enjoy them.
I can already tell that the quilts are warmer than my cotton ones. These will be Christmas presents and if I have time I might put “real binding along the edges….I’m thinking a different color for each grandchild so it is easy to tell who the quilt belongs to and give a nice look to them.
I have to pick up one more batting to make my grandson’s quilt and……I am working on a king size batik quilt for our bed and…..I am going to put high loft polyester batting in it. I like the puffy look.
So how do you feel about polyester batting? I have many, many old table runners and center pieces that I made using polyester batting and…..they still look great. We now use polyester threads in our quilts and don’t think anything about it.
Lara B.
Wow – that wavy quilting you did along the seams creates such a cozy effect Connie! I love these sweet scrappy quilts! The fabrics do not look dated, probably because of the scrappiness. I bet poly batting is warmer than cotton. Do you like wool batting? It is very warm, yet not too hot in the summer.
madebymeinred
Not only is that a great scrap quilt, but the pictures are wonderful. I love scrappy quilts and yours is fun.
Farm Quilter
Poly beards and I rarely use it because of the way it melts when it catches fire. I know that having your quilt catch on fire is not something we like to think about, but I've had one of mine catch fire from incense – a lovely flannel quilt with Hobbs 80/20 batting (which I really don't like). It was snuffed out quickly so the hole is smaller then a dime, but the edges of the batting are melted together and that is only with 20% of the batting being poly. I love poly when I want my quilting to really pop, but wool (especially 2 layers) works just as well. My favorite brand of batting is Quilter's Dream – most consistent quality and there are so many thicknesses that you can find the perfect one for your project. I also like that they make Dream Angel batting that is fire resistant and perfect for quilts for babies and for people that cannot move out from under them (think nursing home or other injury). Poly is really warm because it doesn't breathe and can actually be too warm for babies. Wool is my choice for a warm quilt and that's what I'll be using on the next quilt for my bed!
Sandy
You always amaze me at how much you accomplish and I love looking at your projects. May try the polyester for a little heavier feel and warmth.
Needled Mom
That is so interesting. The quilts look wonderful and I am sure they will love them. I wonder if using a blanket as batting would make it warmer.
Sharon Massena
Mother tied each of the children a quilt with polyester batting many years ago and they were used and worn to the point that the batting moved and ended up in clumps. I'd be interested to know if it still separates and moves to clump around the stitching.
Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio
Connie back in the 70's I used poly batting because the cotton batting was awful (glue scrim and it wasn't needle-punched like today's cotton batting). When the cotton batting got better I switched to using all cotton (cotton fabric, cotton thread and cotton batting). The cotton batting in the bed quilts I used over the years did not hold up very well. My husband complained the quilts weren't warm enough and the cotton batting flattened so thin that it felt like there was no batting left inside. I don't even wash my quilts but once every few years since they are only on top of the blankets.
So I made the decision to switch to poly batting too, next time I need to buy batting that is. I have wool batting too, but it's more costly. Both wool and poly batting are the best for hand quilting. Cotton is awful to hand quilt through. Everything I have made using poly batting that I quilted by machine has quilted better too. I will use the cotton batting for things like trivets, table runners or anything I may place something hot on top of because poly batting will melt if you place a hot casserole on top of a table runner that that has poly batting inside.
The poly batting is warmer because polyester clothing is warmer than cotton and the batting has all those air pockets that trap the warmth like those waffle thermal clothes do with.
I don't buy the argument for using cotton batting because it lasts longer; because cotton rots over the years and polyester would take longer to fall apart. Look at old quilts and the cotton thread and fabrics rot and fall apart before the polyester thread or batting would. Polyester batting is also more affordable too.
Barb N
I like VickiT's second question, too! And I like how you've made great use of all those blocks you had on hand. Perfect choice! seems like wool would be a better choice for the long term stability of the quilt. And it's easy to work with and quilt. I bet your grandkids will love their new quilts!
Mommy Robin
First I have to say how much I like that these are not fussy quilts, that you are making them to be used wherever and whenever!
But I also have to say that I love VickiT's comment about her second question… LOL!! So true, isn't it? I also wondered why this method was used instead of a more traditional "birthing."
I prefer W & N or Hobbs 80/20. We do have one quilt done in poly nearly 30 years ago for DD. It has been washed, washed and washed again, a it was heavily used and abused by our 2 girls and survived tea parties, travel and, yes, vomit. The batting is totally bunched here and there.
I've thought about taking it apart and putting in a new batt, but as they are both grown with no grandchildren in sight, I haven't done it.
VickiT
Ok Connie, those are great looking little quilts and I am sure the grandkids will all love them.
I have only ever used Warm and Natural since that's what I was shown to use when I first started learning to quilt. After reading your post and then the comments, I have questions: why did you place the batting into the quilt the way you did, instead of layering it all and then flipping it right side out with the batting already inside? Is there a reason you stuffed it inside through an open end? I have had no experience with poly at all so I'm wondering if there is a reason for doing it the way you have.
Annnnnnnnnnnndddddd this is where I show my age because after typing that above, I can't remember what the 2nd question was now. Don't you dare laugh at me. I hear you from here snickering. lol
I can't believe you had that many blocks all ready to go and yet, you still have a million left after making that many quilts. Wow.
Stoney
My quilting is done mostly for charity and for grandkids. I use poly batting for them and always use flannel backings. It's hard to keep the flannel from bunching up sometimes, but it makes such a warm loving quilt. I agree that warm and natural is not warm enough. Northern Wisconsin has bitter and brutal weather and poly with flannel is the only combo for us!!!
Razzle Dazzle Quilter
I like poly if it's good quality. I use Soft and bright, it's needled and never beards. My favourite though is wool batting. I get Matilda's wool batting, their wool/poly blend is fantastic too. It is needled and pre shrunk. Superb.
I'm loving your quilts, they peak of cosy warmth to me. Your grannies will love them.
Michele
It is wonderful that you had all of those blocks just waiting around to be made into the perfect quilts. Nicely done.
O'Quilts
Well,now, I am not sure that the poly is my style with all the bearding, but….the beautiful posting pictures with all the snow..are fantastic!!
Lesley
Aren't you the smart cookie! Love your new 'utility' quilts…they will be loved! I use low loft so I layer my quilts on the beds!
Vroomans' Quilts
I am sure they will be well loved and used.
Vroomans' Quilts
I am sure they will be well loved and used.
barbara woods
i am going to make two scrap quilts next year, may use this or maybe bigger blocks of fabric. Two more after Christmas and i will have done all our grands one
Ranch Wife
Its hard to beat a good scrap quilt – they always seem to end up as the favorites. I'll bet your grandkids will LOVE the ones you made! I haven't ever used poly batting. Mostly because we use our quilts and they get washed and dried and I have heard that cotton would wear better. I like warm and natural and I use hobbs 80/20 in some quilts. I am currently hand quilting a wool quilt with wool batting. I told hubby we might need to move to Alaska to use it.
Createology
Wonderful comfortable and cozy quilts for all. I love how they can be used and loved and keep you warm. Blessings and Bliss…
Heather
This is fascinating as I always hear everyone raving about warm and natural. The one quilt I made poly I didn't feel was very warm. Now I put fleece on the back of many of my quilts to make them warmer. I also am quilting my first quilt with wool batting and I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Karen - Quilts...etc.
the high loft does seem to be warmer – I have several old quilts that I had the polyester in before I started to get picky about going 100% cotton – I have not tried the wool – the poly does seem to beard
Frances
Like you Connie I like the loft of polyester and the quilt I have on my bed has ploy in it. It washes beautifully every time with loft bouncing right back.
Libby in TN
The only downside of poly that I can think of is its tendency to "beard" through the fabric. Have you tried wool? Several of my friends swear by it. I use Quilter's Dream Select — 100% cotton, nice drape, and warm enough for me, especially if I wear sleep socks.
Quilter Kathy
The only quilt I used a poly batt in is the warmest one I have. But it does beard. Probably depends on the brand? It's perfect for cold winter nights!
Carla
These look very warm and cozy!
SewCalGal
Really sweet quilt.
I rarely use poly any more. For quilts that are destined to be around for years and years, the poly just doesn't seem to hold up. I have a Hawaiian King hand quilted that is now paper thin, not cozy/comfy due to poly aging. I do like Quilter's Dream Select very much. Wanting to try more with Silk batting and Wool.
SewCalGal
http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com