Bamboo batting -

[Lynn K.]

I forgot to mention, Kyoto batting is made in the USA. These days when "imported" usually means made with uncontrolled chemicals, it is reassuring that a product is made where safety is usually controlled--at least I hope it is.

[Lynn K.]

I just found out it is manufactured by Moda in the USA and without the harsh chemicals... just as was said. I am now reassured and will look for it and give it a try. Thanks for letting us know about that.

[Frances L.]

Has anybody tried Quilters Dream Orient? It is a combination of Bamboo, Silk, Tencel (eucalyptus wood pulp), and cotton.
Frances

[Judy M.]

I've been so afraid to use these new battings because of all the work that goes into a quilt. Now that I think of it, though, I won't be here in 100 yrs. to see if the batting fell apart!!! :lol: Judy in Torrance

[Judy M.]

I waited until after I had washed my Clothesline quilt before commenting on this blog. I could not be more pleased with the Nature-Fil 50% organic cotton & 50% bamboo batting that I used in my quilt which can be seen on my profile here---> community/. My quilt feels light and supple for its size, unlike my quilts made with Warm & Natural which feel heavier. I straight line machine quilted this quilt on my sewing machine. After washing and drying, my quilt did shrink a few inches in width and length--it got all wrinkly like an antique quilt. I need to take and post an "After" photo. Personally, I prefer this look, but it can be avoided by prewashing/preshrinking the batting.

This batting is so light and soft, and drapes beautifully. It has a low loft, but the quilting does stand out. The bamboo in the batting is supposed to have antibacterial, thermal and moisture wicking properties, too.

The only negative is that the batting appeared to be bearding a bit while I was quilting it, but that no longer seems to be a problem. I wonder if the bearding was caused by my needle.

Regarding the cost, I purchased it while on sale at 50% off. So, for me, it was very affordable.

[Dawn S.]

Frances- Yes, I am just finishing up a large quilt with Quilter's Dream Orient. I did not have the room to sandwich such a large quilt, so sent it off to a friend to let her baste it for me on her long arm. It came back very linty! I did a lot of pinning and then pulled out the basting threads and it did beard a little, at each basting hole. It would also beard a little when I pulled the tails of my knots up to cut. All of my background fabrics are dark, so the "lint" was very noticable. Also, It was a little thinner than I would have liked. It did have a good feel to it, and quilted up just fine. I did not wash it first, (It didn't say I had to) and probably won't now as it is a wall hanging. Hope this is of some help.

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

[Hannelore N.]

Judy, before I use a type of batting that is new to me I buy a small piece and make some placemats. I then use (and abuse) them, wash them a lot and watch how the batting 'behaves'. I then decide if I want it in a king-size quilt.

[Dawn S.]

Frances, I forgot to state that I machine quilted my quilt. And, in some areas I did a little hand basting, first. Every time I pulled the thread though, it bearded. Like Lorchen said, I also made placemats from it first (left overs) but never noticed the problem because the mats were primarily white. Dawn

[Dawn S.]

Just FYI - Kyoto Bamboo & Cotton batting label states that it will not beard. It has a polyethylene scrim, so it's not 100% natural. I used Nature-fil by Fairfield, not Kyoto. So, I'm anxious to try the Kyoto batting.

If you like the bamboo batting but want a higher loft, maybe you could double up on the batting by using two layers.

[Dawn S.]

Judy, before I use a type of batting that is new to me I buy a small piece and make some placemats. I then use (and abuse) them, wash them a lot and watch how the batting 'behaves'. I then decide if I want it in a king-size quilt.

Good idea Lorchen!

[Dawn S.]

Your thread choice can also affect whether a batting beards or not, a smoother thread will be less likely to pull the batting fibres through the fabric. If you used a cheap linty thread to baste the quilt, it might explain why it bearded when basting (try saying that quickly!) and not when you quilted it.

Great idea to make the placemats first Lorchen, I'll remember that

[Dawn S.]

Ali, I think you hit the nail on the head! My friend is new to long arm and her machine, and she volunteered to do my quilt for free, as It would be her first one to baste. She probably used the cheapest thread she could, after all, it is just basting that will be taken out later. But, what you said makes sense! I'm not sure what thread I used in a couple of smaller areas that needed VERY close basting, to easy in some excess fabric, but I thought it was Superior's Masterpiece and it caused bearding, too. Anyway, I will share this information with my friend, so she can grow as a longarmer! Thanks again, Dawn

[Dawn S.]

I recently got my 2009 TQS BOM quilt back from the longarm quilter, in which I used Nature-Fil 50% organic cotton & 50% bamboo batting. It was the first time my quilter had used bamboo batting and she loved it. So, do I. What I love about it is that it drapes beautifully, although it is warm, and isn't weighty like the Warm & White that I've often used. This batting is also supposed to have antibacterial, thermal and moisture wicking properties. There was no linting or bearding.

As soon as I've exhausted my large stash of 100% cotton batting, I plan to use only bamboo in my quilts, particularly in the quilts that I plan to keep for myself.

[Margo C.]

Thanks for the recommendation, Nancy! Please let us know how it does after a couple of washings! Thanks!

[Margo C.]

Sure, I will. Although, I'm not sure that I'll be washing it anytime soon, since I plan to display it in my guild's upcoming Quilt Expo in March. However, I have washed my Clothesline quilt with the same batting a couple of times now and it's still just as soft and beautiful. It's not nearly as large, nor as densely quilted, as my 2009 TQS BOM quilt, if that matters.

I recently had a lap size quilt densely machine quilted and made with Warm & White. It hasn't been washed yet either, but it is rather stiff and heavy compared to my 2009 TQS BOM quilt. Hopefully, that helps.