Announcing the batting series!

  During one of the Talkin Tuesday chats the topic of batting came up and what really shocked me was how little any of us knew about batting. So many had only used one or two kinds, and those just because they were what the shop had or their longarm quilter suggested it.
Because batting is really a very important part of the final look and performance of a quilt I thought it was really important to find out more about it. To do that I read a lot and looked around but as with most things the best way to test something is to actually use it.

I contacted several companies that make batting and asked about getting some samples to test out and do a review of them on the blog. Thankfully several were game, and the people at Pellon where incredibly supportive and excited!

So in the next few weeks I'm going to be doing posts about batting from Pellon, Fairfield, the Warm Co., and Quilters Dream. I'll be testing out 100% cotton, 80/20 blends, polyester, wool, bamboo and some eco battings.

I plan on doing them in group according to the content of the batt,  so all the 100% cottons will be done together etc

I'll be looking at how they feel, how they quilt - on the frame, domestic machine, & a small amount of hand quilting- how they wash, the final appearance, and how heavy they are. I'm looking at how much they lint, how they drape, if there are any quirks to using it, and generally how they behave and what type projects or looks each one is best suited too.

Let me know if there is anything specific you want to know about the battings!

To control the variables of fabric content and thread I'm going to be using only one kind for all of the testing, and will try to quilt them all to about the same density.

Since this is obviously a fairly large undertaking I will be spreading it out over the next few months, and when all is done the quilts will be donated to a children's charity, with maybe one or two given away online. Just saying. maybe. ;)

Any other batting companies that would like to be in on the series can email me!

Don't forget the 20% off code for Fat Quarter Shop, "Talknt" good until 9/30, excludes clubs/boms but does include sales!