12//3/18 UPDATE: There has been an amazing turn out of blocks and full quilts.  For more information, read this news article about the Hurricane Michael quilt drive.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/alabama/articles/2018-11-18/church-group-makes-quilts-for-hurricane-michael-victims?fbclid=IwAR12OqFdMR5k03GObSjhAWjaDM_TQdl9EO1DeiEdMpo7s_wMrFfa7tDThrA

Before I get to batting, I just want to talk briefly about the Hurricane Michael quilt drive.  Some of my in-progress string blocks are photographed above.  I wrote about the drive in my last blog post and some additional information is available.   Quilt donations are already arriving at the quilter’s church and they are joyfully completing and piling up finished quilts.  In coordination with locals from the stricken area, the drive will also include children-sized quilts and books.  Here is the updated information.  

Please help the ongoing quilt drive to provide comfort to the survivors of Hurricane Michael. They plan to give as many quilts as possible, and each child’s quilt will include a book.  They are collecting any of the following:

• 10.5″ blocks:  String or Scrappy, (Here’s an easy string block tutorial.  Cut your foundations 11″ to start and after adding strips, trim down to 10.5″. )
• Twin size or smaller quilts for children
• Unquilted tops in twin or smaller sizes, (please send backings)
• Batting, binding or clean fabric
• Children’s books, (new or in great condition)

Send your blocks, quilts, books or materials to:

UMW Quilting Group- Hurricane Quilt Drive

Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 

6610 Vaughn Road  

Montgomery, Alabama 36116

Thank you in advance for helping with the above hurricane quilt drive. 

When I began quilting as a teenager, there were only a few options for quilt batting (called wadding in other parts of the world).  At crafts stores, I would purchase polyester because it was inexpensive and pretty much all I could find.  Fast forward and there are so many different varieties and brands of batting that it’s confusing!  In recent years, I have tried a few different brands, preferring cotton options overall, yet I remained perplexed. I set out to solve my dilemma by researching various all cotton batting options.  

Important Note: This post is from my personal perspective and I have absolutely no relationship or financial arrangements with any of the companies mentioned.  

 

 

The batting brand I have used the most has been Quilters Dream.  (Like me, did you just notice that they have no apostrophe in their name?   Live and learn! ) They make many different types of batting and all in various lofts, which I find completely and utterly overwhelming.  While the batting guide chart on their website is informative, if you’re a tactile gal like me, you need to see and feel the product up close, right? !  So duh, why not call and ask for samples?  I wrote to the Quilters Dream company and asked for their “swatch pack”.  Look above at the wonderful packet they sent me free of charge!  It’s a lovely bundle with ALL the different types of products, and each loft option clearly labeled.  I’m in love!  Why didn’t I think of this sooner?  If you want to request your own “swatch pack”, call customer service at 1-888-268-8664 or email them at QuiltersDreamBatting@juno.com.

 

When I make quilts for donation, I want them to be nice but the materials shouldn’t break the bank.   After using only pricey batting, I felt that I needed to try a less expensive brand.  Several months ago, when the exclusive and new Fat Quarter Shop Happy Cloud batting was unveiled, I saw the low prices and placed an order.  Since I loved the FQS store, I was certain that their product wouldn’t disappoint.  I ordered batting in both the 100% cotton “Simply Natural” and 50/50 “Cotton Blend.”   Well, sadly, it really DID disappointment!!  Both batting types were way too thin, almost falling apart as I unwrapped them.  I needed to double up with two layers of batting instead of just one, to get my preferred result.  There went any savings right down the drain!  I wasn’t happy and wrote them an honest and polite review.  While they didn’t post my review, they were nice nonetheless.   They sent a reply email and asked to speak over the phone.  They apologized, sent me a full refund, and offered me a free package of an alternative brand of batting.  I asked for Quilters Dream of course, and it arrived right away.

I was mighty impressed at the  excellent customer service at the Fat Quarter Shop.  In fact,  because they were so nice, it bugged me all the more that I didn’t like their product!   I kept seeing Happy Cloud batting being advertised at good prices, and was annoyed that it wasn’t up to par.   When it became the “notion of the month” for this October, I was further bugged.   Then I read a quilter raving about using the Happy Cloud 80/20 Silky Blend.  Dummy me I thought… I should ask for samples!  To be fair, when I first ordered, they had no batting samples available.  However, I now saw that for only $1.11, I could get a swatch card.  Yes, they charge for their samples, which is a surprise, but it’s nominal.  I was happy to get samples of the products, but sadly, I still didn’t like the feel of any options, except maybe for the wool variety.  While the wool looks intriguing, it’s not currently listed for sale so there goes that!  If you would like your own “swatch card, ” you’ll need to wait.  (As of this writing, they are showing the Happy Cloud “swatch card” out of stock, but on their website  you can complete a form to be notified when it becomes available.) 

In order to complete my batting research, I reached out to Hobbs for their samples as well.  (Again, no apostrophe in the name. What do ya know!)   Their packet even came with a lovely hand written note from “Wendy” in Customer Service.  Hobbs has many more varieties than I realized, including their unique black batting option.  The products are confusing with words like “premium” and “heirloom” in the names.  Being able to feel each sample is the only way for me to understand the differences.  After touching all the samples, I found my favorite in the “Tuscany Collection Supreme 100% unbleached cotton.”  It was exactly what I was looking for.   It’s soft, sturdy and more substantial than the other cotton products.  The Tuscany compares well to my Quilters Dream 100% cotton favorites in terms of quality and weight (see the chart below.)  I consider my research quite successful and recommend getting samples for your own purposes.   You can get your own Hobbs “trifolder” by calling Customer Service at 800-433-3357.  Maybe you’ll get a personal note as well.

Final summary: I prefer three products from the range of samplings.  The Hobbs Tuscany Collection Supreme 100% unbleached cotton, king-size only, is $$ on sale right now at Craftsy.  With such an amazing price, it’s worth grabbing some while it lasts!     

My winning Batting Samples: My favorite all-cotton options are listed here in order of thickness.  

• Quilter’s Dream 100% Pure Cotton Batting “Select” 
• Hobb’s Tuscany Collection Supreme 100% unbleached cotton $$ see above
• Quilter’s Dream 100% Pure Cotton Batting “Deluxe”

Linking up to:

Needle and Thread Thursday

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TGIFF   this week it’s hosted by https://celticthistlestitches.blogspot.com/2018/10/the-quilt-that-kept-on-growing.html

Finishedornotfriday

Showoffsaturday