Getting In the Middle: Batting

   A common topic of controversy and disdain is the matter of the middle: batting. Many a quilter holds firm to their convictions about the fluffy stuff tucked between the layers of their treasures. Some stand firm on the tried but true poly blends and others snub their noses at anything less that all natural wool/cotton. Novice quilters spend their time toting home precut bags of fabric-store-stuff, just relieved it didn't cost too an arm and a leg. Over my years of quilting I have tried them all..from poly to natural..high loft to low..and all the stores had to offer- I even quilted a few with straight flannel middles, and one with a fleece backing. Let's get up close and personal with what happens in the middle.

   The first thing to understand about the middle is the purpose. What is the purpose of your quilt and what is the purpose of the middle stuff. These two answers direct my choice of stuff in the middle. Example. An art quilt, such as the pine cone water color you see will never darken the door of a washing machine nor will it snuggle little bodies..it will hang on a wall. Therefore, the quilt needs a middle that offers stability and holds up well to heavy quilting. In contrast, the tractor quilt in the frame above is intended for cuddling on the couch. It needs soft durability for occasional washing and lends well to hand quilting. Two very different quilts with two very different purposes each having different 'middle needs'.
    Okay. Now with our purpose in mind, let's hop in our car and hit the local fabric shop. Generally the batting section is a tiny afterthought tucked discreetly in a corner or along a back wall. It holds some prepackaged foam, stuffing and a handful of standard cut batting rolls. Not far from here is a small free standing set of batting on the bolt. I have used both precut and bolt cut..let me say I prefer bolt cut for two reasons: 1. packaged batting has creases that can be a pain to work with 2. size limitations. Generally I keep several yards worth of bolt cut batting on hand in my sewing cabinet. With this in mind, our next consideration is poly blend versus natural fiber.

    Many of my quilts have been made with poly blended batting because that is what my store carried..only recently did I find natural blends locally. When I put a poly blend sample next to a natural blend sample the first thing noticeable is the density. Poly blends are fairly see through and if tugged on, easily loose their shape to the point they can come apart. Natural blends are much more dense and while they have nice give when tugged, they hold their shape and are not easily torn apart. I love the durability and strength of the naturals, but they are a bit pricey. Another reason many of the quilts I have already completed had the poly blends.. my attempt to keep cost down, but having used the naturals for a few commission quilts..I may never go back if I can help it.
     Last consideration is the loft. Loft is the fluff factor of the middle fiber...do we want lots of poof or not. Let me tell you..I only use low loft batting because high loft is a pain to work with. Hand working a needle through multiple layers of fabric is hard enough..add some serious poof and you take difficult to a new level. I don't do it. So where loft is considered, I only use low loft..period.

   My early practice quilts were put together with whatever batting scraps I could glean from family stashes or remnant bins. This offered me some vast experience with batting experimentation. Availability and cost effectiveness led me to the poly fabrics and I still find them quite useful in the newer art quilts my daughter is designing. When finances allow it, I place my purchase for the softer natural blends that offer stability and comfort for baby and bed quilts. It is worth the price. What do I recommend for you? Spend some time with the batting in the store. If it's on a bolt.. touch it..you will spend a lot of time with it so be sure you like how it feels. Then, consider your purpose..wall quilts really do not need the expensive stuff, but a snuggle blanket for your loved ones would be greatly enhanced by a natural blend.
   Have questions about this or other quilting topics? Feel free to leave them in the comment box or email me at simplyscaife@yahoo.com.
  

In The Matter of Thimbles

   When I sit down in my favorite place for a time of quiet stitching, nothing seems quite as familiar as my thimble. My thimble shares my journey through the stitches and styles that form the quilt. Together we write a memory and draft a treasure. Hours and hours we spend together..and with all that time logged we better be a good fit. Many thimbles have found my fingers but few have stayed to weather the tasks. Let's open the old wooden sewing box and take a peek at the thimbles that share creative space with me.

   My first thimble was small red and plastic..fashioned after the traditional steel thimble. Having small hands, it was recommended I use a child's thimble in order to get a good fit. Sadly, it just didn't stand up to the volume of stitches being worked by my hands. From there I progressed to traditional thimbles passed over by my grandmothers who stood firm on their conviction these would stand the test. While the thimbles were sturdy and fit fairly well, I didn't like them for quilting. In my sewing room, the traditional steel thimbles my grandmothers wore are reserved for hand work on dolls and dresses instead of the quilting frame.

   I found an adjustable thimble with an open top that was a true blessing. Easily molded to fit my finger with room for my nail to breathe..it was wonderful. For many years this has been my standard quilting thimble. As my quilting motifs became more challenging a need rose for a thumb thimble, but most quilt stores shook their heads at me. Creativity grew as I perused the isles finding an open leather thimble with green plastic reinforcing. Since my hands are small, the thimble easily worked on my thumb for quilting awkward positions. The downside? Plastic thimbles just aren't durable. Replacing them has become difficult causing the two remaining thimbles to be tucked away as I searched a more sturdy replacement.

   On a Google search I found a websight that saved the day. Liuxin Newman aka "The Thimble Lady" was demonstrating her thimble design..open at the top with deep dimples along the thimble..just right for a quilter. Skeptical I was, until I tried one..now I'm attached! She not only developed a wonderful thimble for your quilting finger, but also a perfect thumb thimble.
   The down side of these thimbles is their price..they are a custom fit. There is a plastic finger thimble available at a reasonable price, but my husband knew my plight and purchased the steel version as a gift for me. It is a treasure I have already put to good use and intend to keep employed for years to come.

   So, what do I recommend for a beginning quilter? First, start with what you have. Many wonderful quilters do use the standard thimbles and are successful with them. Comfort is key. If the standard is uncomfortable or just doesn't fit well, try an open adjustable. You are going to spend an awful lot of time with this so be sure it fits well and doesn't cause pain or discomfort. If you are interested in Liuxin Newman's thimbles you can find her at Thimblelady.
   If you have questions about thimbles or any other quilting supply or technique feel free to leave it in the comment box or email me at simplyscaife@yahoo.com .