What battings and I thread to use

[Sandra W.]

I am doing a wall quilt and want to do some detailed quilting. I posted a picture of it on a recent post about applique I think. I am a fan of greenfairyquilts. I think her name is Jody Madsen. She uses a longarm machine and I have a domestic embroidery machine . I will need to practice. The quilt is to be 30"x30, It will involve some matching thread and a swirly design because it is fall leaves falling down. Any videos here you suggest with lessons would be good. I am gathering that lots of the quilt show members like Superior thread. I am going to a class where we try different threads with our machines. The batting issue is important. I think I bought some indiscriminately and will use them in lap quilts etc. Thanks

[wendy w.]

The class sounds good, a chance to try before you buy. I like wonderfil 40 wt rayon for quilting and find it gives definition and has a sheen. I use it for piecing but it's not a strong thread and if you have tension issues it will split.

For batting I mostly use quilters dream , request weight polyester which shows up quilting really well. I love the trapunto effect you can get with wool but I find you need close quilting or it can be too overwhelming. Works well to prevent creases when folded. Hobbs 80/20 is good too but I don't like polydown at all it's uneven nowadays.

Hope that helps. Oh and put machine quilting in the show technique search and you'll get loads come up.
Of course we all have different views on your questions :lol:

[wendy w.]

Thank you for your post. I am writing after my thread class. I used a 12 weight cotton and learned that the tension should be set on the top with low tension. And higher tension for thin threads. I tried a metallic called Glitter from Superior, and a silk that was thin from YLI. I bought Superior thread: Silk kimono thread and a blue variegated thread, Super Twist 30 wt from Madiera, and also the Bottom line from Superior.

I am planning to try to free motion with the thin silk thread to match somewhat the background. I think it would be better to use a thin needle for the thinner thread so the holes are minimized. I bought Superior needles 90/14. My sample of this I am looking at looks too gold for the mottled beige background. It might just be good to use Mono poly from Superior to quilt it.

I thought the blue Glitter would do a nice highlight on an ocean under the moon landscape. but it looks dark and the metallics aren't showing up that well on white.

[wendy w.]

I prepared two battings for the thread class and like the thinner all cotton batting better than the almost as thin poly batting. There was more of a trapunto effect with the cotton batting. Thanks, Wendy

[wendy w.]

I practiced on a quilt sandwich and found I like warm and natural. Judy Madsen said she presrinks her batting and she sells this brand. Her machine quilting is very precise and detailed, tho' I thinknshedoes longarm.

[wendy w.]

I also bought 70 and 80 size Superior needles with big eyes, maybe topstitch. Also some size 60's.