Wadding
Quilts are usually made up of three layers, the quilt top, the wadding and the backing. There are many kinds of wadding available, some are much easier to use than others.
1. Thick polyester wadding. This is often what you will find in non-specialist fabric shops and it is difficult to use.
2. Polyester wadding. This also comes in many thicknesses, but as long as it isn't too thick quilts beautifully. It won't shrink when you wash it. You have to be careful when ironing your quilt that you don't completely flatten it or get it stuck all over the iron. I have had really good results hand quilting with this type of wadding when using 3 or 6 strands of embroidery thread.
3. Cotton wadding. This comes in many types and thicknesses. I like using it, the fabric top and backing don't slip around when you quilt. It can be dyed if it is 100% cotton. This wadding is good for children because you don't have to worry about it getting stuck to the iron.
4. Felt. Ordinary felt is very thin but can work well as wadding. It is easily available from craft shops in lots of colours. You won't get a very quilted effect but if you are starting to try machine quilting it is a good thing to use to start with. It is especially good if you don't have a walking foot because you won't get too much puckering of your quilt top or backing.
5. Polyester fleece. This type of fleece, often used for scarves or warm jumpers can be used as wadding. It is quite hard to hand quilt but it doesn't fray and can give a pretty edge if you have it larger than the quilt top and backing.
6. Wool. Old blankets or specially made for quilt wadding, wool is lovely to hand sew and makes a warm quilt.
1. Thick polyester wadding. This is often what you will find in non-specialist fabric shops and it is difficult to use.
2. Polyester wadding. This also comes in many thicknesses, but as long as it isn't too thick quilts beautifully. It won't shrink when you wash it. You have to be careful when ironing your quilt that you don't completely flatten it or get it stuck all over the iron. I have had really good results hand quilting with this type of wadding when using 3 or 6 strands of embroidery thread.
3. Cotton wadding. This comes in many types and thicknesses. I like using it, the fabric top and backing don't slip around when you quilt. It can be dyed if it is 100% cotton. This wadding is good for children because you don't have to worry about it getting stuck to the iron.
4. Felt. Ordinary felt is very thin but can work well as wadding. It is easily available from craft shops in lots of colours. You won't get a very quilted effect but if you are starting to try machine quilting it is a good thing to use to start with. It is especially good if you don't have a walking foot because you won't get too much puckering of your quilt top or backing.
5. Polyester fleece. This type of fleece, often used for scarves or warm jumpers can be used as wadding. It is quite hard to hand quilt but it doesn't fray and can give a pretty edge if you have it larger than the quilt top and backing.
6. Wool. Old blankets or specially made for quilt wadding, wool is lovely to hand sew and makes a warm quilt.
