Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Going green Valley style....

Do you save the 'trimmed away' part of your batting after you baste or quilt your top?? I do and it seems perfectly natural since I'm a scrap quilter. Working with pieces is second nature to me. If you can piece fabric together, you can piece batting scraps, especially the 100% cotton batting. And did you know that same batting can be ironed, or pressed, using a medium high heat? Nothing to be afraid of if its all cotton. Yesterday I made a batting for another UFO of mine. I match up what seems to be the right sides of batting scraps. I use about a half inch seam, and back tack at both ends. Then I press that seam open. Once it's open I top stitch down each side of the pressed open seam. This is the wrong side of the batting.
 And this is the right side. I used a lavender thread in the bobbin on purpose for these pictires. You'll learn to kind of match similar lengths or almost squares. It's not really any differet than making a backing from assorted pieces.
  I laid out the backing(on the table...it's only a 60" square top) put the newly made batting on it and then carefully smoothed the top into place and pinned it. I debated machine quilting this one but decided to tie it instead. Next time you see it, it will be a finished UFO....#5 since we began the challenge!! I'm off to another eye dr. today, wish me luck!!!
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16 comments:

Libby said...

I have a very happy stack of batting remnants. I cull through them for smaller quilts. It's been a long time since I've pieced a batt together. Thanks for reminding me . . . a good way to use up some extras *s*

Clare said...

Does this work with poly batts? If not it doesn't matter as I'm using the waste for draught excluders!

Best of luck *vvvb hug*.

Donna said...

I've never tried seaming my batting -- I do butt join them using a wide zig zag, but your way looks even easier! :-)

Twisted Quilts said...

Thanks so much for sharing, this is a great idea.

Katie said...

With fingers crossed, wishing you best of luck at the eye doc.

Hunter said...

Good luck at your doctor appointment.

I piece batting most of the time. I butt the ends up and overstitch them. (I find I need to avoid overlapping the Warm & Natural I use since I hand quilt.)

Hope you're already home with good news by the time you read this.

Darilyn

Hanne said...

Good luck at the Dr.'s today !!

I join batting all the time too :-)

meggie said...

Good luck for the Eye Dr.

Batting scraps are great for quilt as you go, too.

em's scrapbag said...

I've done this several times. Or I use batting scraps for quilt as you go projects.

MARCIE said...

Hi Finn. Always fun so see what you are up to. Cute stuff, as usual! Hope you are having a great birthday month!

Gretchen said...

Thanks for posting directions for piecing batting! I have a ton of batting pieces ready to be pieced now!

Coleen said...

That sounds like an interesting idea, I'll have to try it.

jacquie said...

i do this too, but i hand sew mine. this looks much easier and sturdier. thanks for the tip.

Myra said...

Almost done your 5th!? Good for you Finn! That didn't take you that long! Can you do another 5 by NYE? LOL! 8-)

I join battings quite often myself...

I hope your eye doc appointment goes well!

Happy stitchings! 8-)

nannergirl said...

Hope your eye dr.'s appointment went well.
Is it too late to join the UFO challenge? I've got 4 to finish and could use the motivation :)

Granny Lyn said...

Hope every thing went well at the Dr's! I love that scrappy quilt, I have always saved everything! any batting that is bigger than 4 inches, since I make friends and family coasters out of them. it is a wonderful way to use up all those little pieces...