Batting

[texaspeggy]

I want to pre-shrink my batting, 50 % bamboo/50 % cotton. How do I do that? Do I just throw it in the washer then the dryer or what?

[Margo]

Are there instructions on the package for preshrinking it?

I've never done one with bamboo, but for Hobb's Heirloom, I put the (unfolded) batting in the washer with warm water and just let it soak (no agitation) for about 10 minutes then spin the water out. I then put it in a hot dryer until it's completely dry. Hope that helps.

[Franceslovesfabric]

If you agitate it you will need to buy more batting. At least that's what I've been told.
Frances

[kmouse]

....and maybe a new washer. Can you imagine all the globs of batting?

Read the directions on the batting package! Some batts are not meant to be pre-treated. :!: If I had any doubt, I would not pretreat.

Also,it depends on your washing machine. I have a top load machine that allows me to fill with water and soak. Then I turn the machine to spin only so I don't agitate the batting. Front load washers dont' give you that option.

kim

[texaspeggy]

Thank you all for your input. Helps me a lot. I have a front loading washer. What if I put it in the dryer on hot?

[Scoopie]

I would not put it on hot! Batting is large and there usually is one section that stays close to the heat source. That could do some heat damage to it. It WILL melt a poly blend. If you really are wanting to wash it, what a lot of quilters do, is soak it in the bathtub, let it drain in the washer (for quite a while) and then let the washer spin it. Then you can put it into the dryer, on warm. Did you not find any washing directions with the batting?

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

[Scoopie]

I just found the cover sheet for a bamboo, silk, tencel (whatever that is) and cotton blend batting that I recently used. It says: "No prewashing required. Minimal shrinkage. Finished quilt may be gently machine washed and dried with cool dryer. Hope this helps!

Dawn

[Franceslovesfabric]

Hey Dawn, how did you like that batting? I'm thinking of using it for my Rosary quilt. Did you machine or hand quilt it? And after it was quilted, did it shrink any in the dryer?

Frances

[eileenkny]

If you're going to put the batting in the dryer, put a clean, damp washcloth or towel in with it. I'd put the temp on low or delicate. The damp cloth will also take any wrinkles out which is helpful when you want to sandwich your quilt.

[Scoopie]

Frances,

Since most of my quilts are wall hangings, I never wash the batting or the quilt. But, here is what I can tell you about it. Since I do not have the space to sandwich and baste a large quilt, I sent it off to a friend to baste on her long arm. When it came back, it had "fuzzies" all over. I used my sticky roller to remove said fuzzies, and realized it just kept pulling out more. It was bearding. Since I had paid a premium for it, I figured it had to be good, and placed the blame on a "cheap" basting thread. So, when there were areas of my quilt that I needed to do some extra basting, I used a good needle and Masterpiece thread. It bearded!! But, I did not get bearding when I was machine quilting it. And, it quilted beautifully (4th of July close up in profile). So, I'm guessing you just have to find the right needle AND thread for this batting. I suggest getting a small piece first and playing with it, before investing in a larger size.

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

[Franceslovesfabric]

Thanks Dawn

[Franceslovesfabric]

I've used the 50% cotton & 50% bamboo batting and I love it. It's so soft and drapes beautifully, with no crease marks where you fold the quilt. I did prewash my batting the way that Margo suggested, but let it drip dry in my spare bathroom over the shower curtain rod wrapped with heavy body towels. I had no noticeable shrinkage, so am not sure prewashing was necessary.

If you plan to machine wash & dry the completed quilt, then maybe you want to shrink the batting in a warm (not hot) dryer, but not if you prefer the wonderful crinkly look you get with a little shrinkage after quilting.