Posted: 10/17/2005 8:16:37 PM EDT
Hi,  I have a question regarding cotton batting and what I can get away with. There are 2 layers of cotton batting, and some 16 inch squares on the front that I don't want to sew thru. I'd much rather sew around the square perimeter as to not have the stiching on the squares. Now, the direction on the batting say to sew at a distance of at least 1/4 inch to no more than 3 & 1/4 inchs. Can I ignore the directions, not sew int he squares and have no long term issues with the batting? 
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No way. You need to sew at least 3 1/4" close together in order for the batting not to bunch up and get icky during washing. Try finding a quilting pattern that accentuates the quilt or fabric, maybe? Or maybe tie it? The less quilting, the worse it will hold up in the wash. The batting will shift and clump. |
Damn.. I'll have to tie. Thanks, now I know what I must do, but I don't want to do it. 
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| MrsG, not to argue, but I'm not sure tying it every 2" would look so hot. Especially with 16" squares. He's not going to want to tie inside the squares, and every 2" on the outside might look odd with nothing in the squares. NM, it would actually take less time to just sew the outside of the squares. Just stitch in the ditch and you'd be fine. If you're really trying to stay away from any more sewing, then MrsG's right, tying is your only other option. I've made several blocked quilts where I tied the corners of each square and it turned out fine. With two layers of batting, though, I think sewing around the squares and maybe even putting a tie in the center of each square (since they're 16") would be the best. |
| My mom is professional long arm quilter. She's at a retreat right now, but her e-mail address is [email protected]. I know she wouldn't mind answering your question and can advise you on the best ways to handle this. |