Does it matter which side the scrim goes?

[Rita C.]

I am using Bamboo batting for the first time (it feels sooo soft) and I am wondering if it matters which way up the scrim goes?

Also, will it go stiff like cotton if I do a lot of quilting?

[Margo C.]

There's another question that seems to have a lot of answers. Some long-armers advise to put the scrim facing the back of the quilt, but I've also read where the manufacturers say that it doesn't really matter. :?

Again, I suggest you make a sample, using it with some scraps from the fabrics you are using, to see if you get any "pokies" when you stitch.

I can't help with the softness issue. I've have not used a bamboo batt yet. Please let us know what you learn!

[Rita C.]

Thanks Margo, will do.

[Rita C.]

The general rule of thumb is that the scrim goes toward the backing. Here's why:

Scrim is designed to prevent bearding and/or pokies of batting from coming through the back of the quilt. It also gives stability and structure to the batting fibers. It can be a resin (sprayed on) kind of bonding/scrim or a very thin polypropylene layer in the middle or back side of the batting. This layer almost looks like a very fine white sheet of webbing - sort of like Misty Fuse or a dryer sheet. If it's resin bonded (such as some Hobbs Batting)then it doesn't really matter which side, although many quilters like to put the bumpy side up or the waffle smooth side down. If it has the fine layer in it, if the layer of poly is on one side, that side should go down. If it's in the middle, it doesn't matter.

On some battings if you peel a corner apart, you can actually see and feel the very thin poly sheet on one side. Others you cannot.

So, if you know for sure it has a fiber scrim on one side, lay that side downward. Think about the needle punching through - you want it to go easily through the batting fibers and out the other side, with the scrim last so it catches any wayward batting fibers. If you put the scrim on top, it might resist your needle a tiny bit, perhaps cause thread breakage, and sure won't prevent push through of fibers beneath it.

If you don't know for sure if there is a scrim, lay the smoother side downward, just in case.

Sometimes you really can't see any difference between sides, so pick the smoother side to place down, and hope for the best!

HTH

[Margo C.]

Great explanation Michelle! Thanks!

[Margo C.]

Thanks Michelle - helpful information.

BarbCa

[Rita C.]

Thanks Michelle. This bamboo batting definitely has a scrim and I have put it to the back. I did a test piece last night and it worked fine. I need to put this in my quilting notebook so that I don't forget by the next time. :roll:

Have you used bamboo batting? Do you find it to be exactly the same as cotton batting? It says it can be stitched 8" apart but not how close together you can stitch it. I am wondering about maintaining softness if I do too much machine quilting as I was hoping to use this quilt to practice all sorts of different ideas. Thanks.

[Margo C.]

Rita, since you've already made a test piece, why don't you just start quilting lines across it (maybe with a walking foot?) and see how much quilting the sample takes before it starts to get stiff??? If you do, please let us know what you learn!

Maybe start with a 2" grid, then fill in between the lines to create a 1" grid, then 1/2" grid and finally a 1/4" grid. Maybe even throw it in with your regular laundry between each completion to see if that makes a difference in the softness? It would also be a good indicator of how the bamboo holds up to washing!

(When I do test samples like this, I usually start with about a 12" square. "Oh, do it yourself Pat!" )

[Margo C.]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Rita C.]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I did a sample last night which was looking really good with lots of different motifs on it. When I finished I was looking at it and thinking that I could probably do something with it. Then I turned it over.... :?

The front

The back! :roll:

[Margo C.]

What a great sample! Does it still feel soft and pliable?

[Rita C.]

Yes it's not bad. It is not quite as stiff as it would be if it was cotton batting, I think,so I am quite happy with it.

I have another question: for the in the ditch work - there will be a lot on this quilt because it is a sample quilt - should I use monofilament in the bobbin as well as the top? I would usually use bottom line in the bobbin but I don't have a green colour. What I used in the sample is a Superior Highlights lime green. I was thinking of only using that for the detailed work but maybe I should use it for the SID too?

[Rita C.]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I did a sample last night which was looking really good with lots of different motifs on it. When I finished I was looking at it and thinking that I could probably do something with it. Then I turned it over.... :?

The front

The back! :roll:

Oops! guess that shows why you have to be careful about basting & sandwiching. I am suer that you could still do something with it though.

[Rita C.]

The cat has found a use for it already! :lol:

[Lotti D.]

:lol: :lol: :lol: