I love batting remnants, and I always find myself scooping them up from the remnant bin at Joann Fabric. Why?
1) Remnants are 50% off the regular price.
2) You can use little bits of batting for all sorts of projects.
3) You can experiment with different types of batting to see which ones you like.
types of batting in these remnants: Pellon fusible thermolam, fusible fleece, polyester high-loft, light blend long arm, wool
I found this kit for a Go-Baby-Go Diaper tote in the clearance rack at Joann’s, marked waaaay down in price. Here’s one like it, which was listed on ebay but no one bid on it, not even for $.99 plus shipping and handling. All you had to do was cut out the pieces, which were pre-printed on fabric, cut out the front, back, strap and gusset in a layer of batting, and sew it all together using the 1-page instruction sheet. I used fusible batting to pad the sides, gusset and strap, and I liked the way the batting fused with the fabric to make compact panels that were strong but still soft.
Go-Baby-Go tote
cute little inside pocket, too
If one likes the inside better, it’s reversible!
reversible, with pink lining side facing out
Batting remnants of a yard or less can be used for totes and purses, baby quilts, art quilts, wall hangings, quiet books, toys, pot holders, Christmas stockings, place mats, table runners, slippers, pillows, all sorts of things!
Now (help!) I have some questions for you: What do you do with small pieces of batting? What is the best batting to use for serious quilting? Is polyester batting ok to use in a cotton quilt? Is it ok to wash a quilt that has wool batting inside?
Oct 16, 2012 @ 10:04:43
As a professional machine quilter I get lots of scrap batting. I use smaller pieces as swiffer sheets. I collect the tiniest pieces to use as pillow stuffing for the pillows I give the animal shelter. Any type batting is fine for serious quilting. I match the batting to how the quilt (or other item) will eventually be used. When I make quilted vests or jackets for the grand-kids I often use polyester or wool. For children’s quilts I prefer to use the flame retardant type. My window quilts have insulating batting. Wall quilts I use a heavy cotton for verticle strength. For my own bed I use wool or light weight cotton. For older grand-kids who I know will drag a quilt around the floor and it will get washed numerous times I use a polyester or wool. Check the batting instruction sheets about washing and quilting distance apart before you use it. Some batting requires more dense quilting than others. It’s ok to mix and match fabrics and batting. There are no batting police anymore.
Oct 16, 2012 @ 10:19:25
I think the batting police are still around, but not as vocal as they once were…:). Thanks for the expert and sensible info!
Oct 28, 2012 @ 07:32:21
Ha, ha! Talk about the batting police, my first comment was not posted because the spam police suppressed it and it was lost in comment limbo–I did not realize that was the reason it didn’t post so I wrote a second reply—just in case you wondered why there were 2 dippy responses by me on this comment thread…I am grateful for the hundreds of spam comments that have been repressed but it was weird to see my own comment squashed!
Oct 17, 2012 @ 17:48:45
Thanks for your expertise! I was hoping you’d take a look and give me some pointers, I appreciate you!
Oct 20, 2012 @ 13:54:22
It’s funny, isn’t it. I have never heard or seen batting remnants. Now, I must pay closer attention! Terrific idea. I will need to pull up a chair, grab a cup of Chai, and slowly read through all your other fabulous tips and creations