What do you use inside a homemade quilt?

Question

what is the "fluffy" stuff called inside a quilt. im new at making a quilt and don't want to use the wrong stuff. also, when i do buy that material, do i sew it along the edges with the fabric? or does the yarn that you tack down all over at the end hold in in place?

Answer 1

The middle layer of a quilt is called batting. You can purchase cotton, polyester or wool. If you are going to tie the quilt off with yarn you can use batting that has a higher loft (meaning it is thicker). If you plan to machine quilt then you want a thinner batting. What I use for the edges of a quilt when I make quilts is quilt binding. You can buy that at a fabric store as well. For a baby quilt it takes probably two packages, bigger quilts take three or four. I find it is the easiest way to finish the edges and you don't have to fuss with it. I'm all for fuss free projects!  Have fun but beware, making quilts can be addictive!

Answer 2

You will need batting which is available in cotton, cotton/poly blend, wool or silk. Most common is the cotton/poly blend or the cotton. If you are stitching the quilt ( all layers stitched through) then you don't sew it along the edges until the binding is put on. If you plan to tie the quilt with yarn, then first lay out the backing, next the batting layer, then the top of the quilt. You can tie the quilt and then finish the edges making sure to stitch through all layers.  Hope this helps. Good luck to you!

Answer 3

You already have some good advice here, but also some that might not be best to follow.  DO NOT use foam or feathers(down) in your quilt as batting.  I suggest a quilt shop, not a hobby shop, though fabric stores often carry batting now.  Tacking the quilt (called tying) is quicker, but less stable over time and also not as attractive.  Even just straight line quilting in a grid will give you texture and interest that are a big improvement over a tied quilt.  

Online sources are helpful, but don't overlook your library, and ask about quilt guilds or less formal groups near you.  There is worldwide interest in quilting now.  You will be surprised at how warm as cover, and how charming to the eye your quilt will be!  

If using your Grace frame, you will not necessarily need to layer and baste, but follow directions with care.  You can make your own binding from extra fabric from your quilt, and it will look better, but that is a whole 'nother chapter!  Hope this helps.

Answer 4

just go to ur local craft store they have numorus things u can put in there from feathers to foam

Answer 5

The 'fluffy' stuff is called 'batting' in the US, 'wadding' in the UK. You can find polyester batting in a variety of thicknesses and quality levels, and there are also a number of 'natural fiber' battings - cotton is common and not terribly expensive, wool and silk are pricier and a little harder to find. Batting is sold both in packages and by the yard from rolls.

It sounds like you are planning to tie your quilt, and a good-quality packaged polyester batting is a good choice for that. Make sure you buy a piece that's about 6"-8" inches bigger each way than the desired finished size for your quilt. Pin-baste your quilt 'sandwich' first, then follow the instructions on the batting package for how closely together you need to tack/tie. (When you tie a quilt, you spread out all 3 layers, baste them together with safety pins, and then start tacking them together.) When's it's all tacked/tied, THEN you finish the edges with binding.

The quilting section at 'About.com' is terrific - detailed beginner info plus LOTS of more advanced stuff, patterns and techniques. It's a great place for pictures and step-by-step instructions.

This should get you going - welcome to the addiction!

http://quilting.about.com/

Answer 6

You need to look for Quilt Batting.  It comes in various types and brands, but basically there is a wide range of black and white polyester, cotton, wool, and even silk.  You can find about a lot more about batting here: http://www.warmcompany.com/wnpage.html

The stitching that holds all the layers together and gives the quilt form, pattern and structure is the 'quilting'.  This is done by hand or machine.  The basting is done before this to hold the layers in place while you quilt, and can be done by hand stitching with long stitches, using pins, or with plastic tags and a basting gun: http://www.cottonpatch.co.uk/acatalog/Ba...

For more on actual quilting techniques, look here: http://home.howstuffworks.com/machine-qu...