Best machine quilting designs for big block quilts

[Margo]

Janet--I love wool batting! The puff it gives to the quilt is wonderful.

[rehak]

I've just started using wool batting and I love it (just bought a case of Quilter's Dream wool battings from Hancock's, mmmmmmmmmm), but I find it more difficult to work with. Because of the puffiness, I have to work harder to keep the top flat to keep from getting puckers in the top. So I wonder if it isn't better to start with a less puffy batting until you get more comfortable with the process. I've used Warm & Natural cotton batting for years and have found it really easy to use for FMQ because it kind of holds the fabric in place. I'm pretty lazy about pinning enough so I think this has saved me from puckering quite often!

Nancy

[rehak]

Hi Margo, If you like it so much it must be nice. I do have some to play with on a smaller project probably or a quilt sandwich. The wool sounds nice and would be very warm. I'm going on Clotilde.com to see if that's where I saw it available for a reasonable price. That would probably be warm. Is it too warm in the summer? Thanks for the help. Jan

[rehak]

My understanding is that wool breathes and so because of its light weight is comfortable in the summer. Maybe, others can verify this.

[Margo]

I've been using Hobb's 80/20 since it came on the market, but there are LOTS of great new batting choices available now. It's always worth trying new ones, especially if it's something that your LQS offers. We need to support them so they will stay in business for us!

[Lorchen]

I'm still a Hobb's 80/20 girl, but if I want to try out a new batting I make a few table mats, use and wash them a lot, and then (so far) go back to the 80/20. I have a large quilt that was made for me and has wool batting in it. It's very light but cosy. So far I have only handwashed it because I'm not sure how that batting would behave in the washing machine.

[Lorchen]

Yeah, Lorchen, It would probably be best to wash it in cold water. Jan

[rehak]

Lorchen - You are really lookin' good these days!!

Nancy

[Lorchen]

Thanks, Nancy!

But I need a quilt!!

[Margo]

Thanks, Nancy!

But I need a quilt!!

Shoot, Lorchen! You need some underwear! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Margo]

Well maybe she can make herself a pair of panties with the FQ's we are sending her with the reels!!! ROFLOL!!!!

[quilting00]

I've made a couple quilts with wool batting. The first one, I used Hobbs wool and loved how soft and easily it draped around my shoulders. It was great batting to quilt. I wash the quilt in cold water and tumble dry it until it is just damp and then let it air dry the rest of the way. It comes out looking like new every time.
The second quilt I made, I again used Hobbs wool; but unfortunately, Hobbs must have changed the formula. (Their 80/20 isn't like it use to be either ) I used it in my Batiks-R-Us HST project and I was so disappointed. I had a hard time quilting it because the batting didn't squish well and when I finished the quilt it was stiff and not snuggly. But, I made a small wall hanging using Quilters Dream Request batting and half a layer of Hobbs batting and that worked really well.
This is the HST project:

This is the small wall hanging:

[Margo]

Well maybe she can make herself a pair of panties with the FQ's we are sending her with the reels!!! ROFLOL!!!!

Except that the FQ's and reels are headed to Rosemary and Lorna. Lorchen will just have to make do without! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Margo]

Lorchen, honey, you need more than just a quilt. You are going to caught cold.

[Lorchen]

Problem solved, girls!

By the way, no time for FQs and reels, whatever they are for. I have about 90 wedding favours to make for my son's wedding in May, and not a lot of free time.