I am just now trying a bamboo batting, the brand is Kyoto (http://www.rhinetex.com) and it's labeled "Stitch up to 10" apart. Kyoto Bamboo is created with an ultralight and super strong substrate, so your quilt will outlast years of repeated use and washings - even when your stitches are a full 8" apart"

Another batting question: A friend just told me that bamboo batting packages she looked at indicate Dry Clean Only. :shock:
Is that true of all brands of the bamboo batting? I've not looked closely.

What a great website!!! Thank you Lotti. Rosemary, I really like the 'rob Pete t pay Paul' block. I have had to be strong and not stay on it all afternoon. I've saved it to favourites and will hopefully remember to look at it another time.

Thanks for the link. I rather like the look of 'Posy Chain'

I could lose a few days looking around on there

thanks rosemary
had never heard of this design - so i looked it up on:
http://www.quilterscache.com/QuiltBlocksGalore.html
and found all kinds of interesting designs that would work - especially like the london square
keep my mind busy while i finish the stuff i'm working on

lotti wrote: how about one of the 'Robbing Peter to Pay Paul' style designs?

i bought a queensized silk batting at a show in france about 8 years ago - it's still sitting in the bag waiting for the quilt
i've been collecting silks for years - for a quilt for myself - ha
but i just can't bring myself to actually cut into the fabrics... just not had an idea that would make it worth the pain & bloodshed
have 3 wonderful pieces of white, grey & black raw silk to play with - but what can i do with 3 colors - now that's one i need a pattern for - and i can't really mix it with any other fabrics - hmmmmmmmm

Silk batting feels amazing! I bought a piece large enough for a baby quilt when my granddaughter was born. She's now 11 and it's still in the bag!!! :shock: :shock:

OOPS!!

I have never tried Quilter's dream Arlene, I live on what I can get over here. I just ordered 27 yards of Hobbs 80/20 as it is the batting I find most usable. I have never tried to have it in the washer because I have been afraid of the "tissue-effect" Good to know you have tried it Margo. I just started to try out the wool batting, I have finished the FMQ on the top and I really like the feel of the wool batting, but I struggeled with it! I didnt even think of putting it in the washer and dryer! It was real uneaven too so I guess it was not the best of quality either. As I like my quilts to be used, loved and washed I guess it all comes down to quality of the fabrics and batting you use. I tend to like the thought of my quilts being around long after I am gone so I make them to last for 100 years (just like my bridges ). Before I started free motion 4 years ago I would sew and zigzag every seam in my quilts I got my hands on some silk batting 50%off (was expencive anyways :shock: )...have you tried silk batting????

I really like Quilter's Dream. I like the cotton and love the wool. I just started using the wool and love working with it.

Hanne-Grete, I usually use Hobb's Heirloom cotton (80/20), and I don't usually pre-shrink it, because I love the slightly puckery look of older cotton quilts that I get by having the batting shrink a little after the quilt is finished. This particular batting will shrink about 5%.

But, there are times when I don't want any shrinkage, so I'll pre-shrink the batting (and pre-wash the fabric) before I start. To do that, I unfold the batting and put it in a washer full of hot water and let it just soak for about 15 minutes. NO AGITATION! Then I put it in the dryer with high heat and it comes out wonderfully soft and ready to use. I do the same thing with Hobb's Washable Wool, but reduce the heat in both the washer and dryer.

Be aware that not all battings can tolerate this treatment. Read the package instructions to see if you can pre-shrink it. For instance, Mountain Mist 100% cotton batt will wind up like a washer full of wet Kleenex (tissue) if you get it wet! Ask me how I know that bit of information!!

Because most of my quilts are made to be used and loved to death, they routinely go into the washer and then into the dryer, but I am not concerned with keeping these quilts pristine and crisp and new looking. Washing and drying will make them soft and lovable. My favorite kind!

Thank you for all your help Do you put any batting in the dryer? What kind of batting do you find easiest to work with?

Judy I do exactly as Margo does though if it a nice day I would dry it on the line to give it a blow through. you can't beat the softness of wool batting, but I have only used Hobbs so can't say about other makes. Dorothy UK

I echo Margo's results.