BACKING FABRIC & BATTING

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 Hello friends,

Quilt Backing

 A great idea for your backing is fabric that is extra wide, i.e. 274cm wide.  If you have made a small quilt you may well be able to just have one width of fabric (no joins).  If it still isn't wide enough, no problems you can just join 2 pieces of fabric.

The backing fabric can be any colour or design that you want.  It can compliment the quilt top or be a total contrast.

The front of this table runner.....
and the back.

I have found (but it could just be me) that fabric the same weight as the fabrics used in the top gives a better quilting result.

Batting or Wadding

This is the "filling" in your quilt sandwich.   There are many different types of batting.  Here are your choices.
Cotton - it is made with natural fibres and is soft and comfortable.
Polyester - holds its shape and thickness.  It keeps you warm without the weight. It is non-breathable but resists mould and mildew.
Wool - it is very lightweight and is used for warmth.  It is natural and holds its shape. It is excellent for machine quilting.
Cotton/poly blends - are typically 80% cotton and 20% polyester.  It has the benefits of cotton but has more loft.
Bamboo - made from 50% bamboo and 50% organic cotton.  It is very breathable, ideal for machine quilting and is machine washable.
Bonded batting - has a light adhesive on both sides to hold fibres together.
Fusible batting - contains a fusible web so you can baste layers together.
Needle punch batting - is mechanically felted together by punching them with lots of needles.  It is very durable.

Loft is the measurement used for the weight and thickness of the batting.  Low loft is thin, high loft is thick.  Use low loft for wall hangings and placemats, thick loft for quilts.  Wool batting is the thickest, bamboo is the thinnest

Wool is the most expensive, followed by cotton and then polyester.

With the needle punch batting there are little "goose-bumps" formed from the needles.  Make sure the round part of the "goose-bump" is against the backing fabric and the needle holes are against the quilt top when putting it all together.

Mind boggling isn't it.
                                                                                               
 This is the type I use.  I buy it from Spotlight when it is on special.


So those are the 3 layers to your quilt sandwich:
Backing fabric
Batting
Quilt top

Next post I'll tell you why you need 3 pool noodles when putting your sandwich together.

QP by Rhonda

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