Please tell me I'm not the only one with a HUGE stash of scrap batting. The amount I've saved is almost shameful. I keep telling myself I'll use it for the next quilt or for charity quilts. Well yesterday was the day to start using it because I forgot to buy batting when I went into town a couple of days ago. The drive into town is 20 minutes. Then there would be the actual shopping time and as we all know once your in the store the hunter gatherer kicks in and before you know it an hour has passed. So I decided to save time and money by piecing together some scraps.
Layering the scraps of batting over the quilt top on the wall makes it easy to see when I'll have enough for this quilt.
Looks like these are going to need a lot of trimming.
Yah! Three pieces of batting is all I'll need to piece together. That's pretty good. I've made some in the past with up to 10 pieces. It's tricky but doable. I'm curious if quilters have a limit to how many pieces of scrap batting is to many for one quilt. Do you have a limit?
All of the batting scraps I chose have one factory cut edge. The factory edge will not need to be trimmed, thank goodness.
Now I remember why I avoid piecing polyester batting, it's not easy.
It will also dull a brand new rotary cutting blade. This rotary cutting blade was due for a change anyway.
Cutting the three pieces took about 30 minutes. This time includes the smoothing and folding. It would be much easier if it were cotton batting. But as you all know I'm allergic to cotton batting.
If it were cotton I could use the batting tape to quickly iron the pieces together. A hot iron and polyester don't play well together so these will need to be sewn together. Years ago I used to do this by hand to avoid the having a small seam in the batting. Time and age has taught me I really don't care what's inside the quilt that no one one can see. My machine is set the longest and widest zigzag available and it's pedal to the metal!
It can be a little tricky because once you butt the two pieces of batting together it's hard to see where one stops and the other starts. So I try to keep a small gap in between the two. This gap is quickly pulled together by the zigzag stitch.
The seam is very visible but once in the quilt who will know besides you and me. I'm not telling anyone are you?
Just to be on the safe side the Frankenstein batting is placed back on top of my quilt top. Looks like I'm ready to start my marathon quilting. I'm going to do my best to get this quilted in one day. Wish me luck!
#piecingquiltbatting
#quiltingtip
#christmasjoyquilt
Wow Lea Anne I didn't know you were allergic to cotton batting! Is it the cotton you are allergic to or the scrim or something else in the batting making process? Can you wear cotton clothing? I have a huge bag of batting scraps and I do use them, especially when I make smaller quilted things like wall quilts or runners. I like using the scraps for the smaller items better than cutting up a huge piece of batting. For bed quilts polyester or wool batting are warmer than cotton batting. Have you tried 80/20 batting? It's 80% polyester and 20% cotton. I love this batting the best as it quilts nicely and isn't too flat like most cotton and not puffy like most polyesters. It's the perfect blend. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI use small pieces all the time for smaller projects. I sew together strips that are at least 4" wide but sometimes I'll sew even smaller together, just depends on how frugal I'm feeling and whether the choice is sewing the batting or cutting into a large batting. Looking forward to seeing this flimsy quilted. Happy Stitching!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've heard of anyone allergic to cotton batting before. And yet, cotton fabrics are OK?
ReplyDeleteI have a bunch of batting scraps but haven't tried joining them together yet. Thanks for showing how you do it.
Yep!! I have franken Battings.... but... last year, I challenged myself to use at least one a month to keep those scraps to only half a room ( just kidding) and that helped some....
ReplyDeleteSo funny, today I just donated three bags of Frankenstein polyester batting. I prefer cotton AND when I send my projects to the longarmer, she provides the batting. So I used to join those batting pieces but no more.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry you are allergic to cotton batting. Is cotton fabric OK? I hate throwing away fabric or batting that can be used, and yes, I do add pieces of batting together, minimum about 3-4 inches wide. It's a tedious job, but I try to do it before it gets too much. Cute quilt!
ReplyDeleteI just whittled my pile of batting scraps down by making a BUNCH of pot holders. My god daughter took a pile, too, for a project she is working on right now. It felt good to use it up. Now if I could only do that with my fabric scraps!
ReplyDeleteI use every last piece just like you
ReplyDeleteI use all my leftover batting scraps. One day a couple weeks ago I made 5 Frankenbatts with scraps that were all long and at least 8” wide. The smaller pieces are used for zip pouches, kennel quilts, placemats and the like. Narrow scraps and odd bits I donate to a couple friends who use them to stuff dog beds. No waste!
ReplyDeleteI did not know you were allergic to cotton batting! I use Frankenbatting, too. As much as possible! Happy New Year to you and yours!! May 2020 be filled with JOY!
ReplyDeleteOMG yes I have mounds of batting scraps that I just don't take time to piece together. I prefer to use pieced ones for table runners. I did sit down twice this year and take a day or two each time to piece a bunch together. I think I could use a whole month to do them all:0
ReplyDeleteA, making Frankenbatting! Thrifty and good for keeping it out of the garbage dumps.
ReplyDelete