using cotton batting

[Therese's Mommy]

I am making a tie quilt and am using 100% cotton batting. It says that there is about 3% shrinkage. Do you always prewash cotton batting when using it for a quilt? What is the easiest way? I saw something about putting it in a laundry basket in the bathtub. Any suggestions??

Thanks!

Beth

[starbright]

I personally like the "puckered" look that comes from not washing beforehand.

When you said you were making a "tie" quilt did you mean a pattern that uses ties or a bowtie quilt or did you mean you were going to tie the quilt layers?

I have always used poly batting with tied quilts so I am not sure how it's different that quilting.

Good luck.

[Therese's Mommy]

Thanks for your reply. I mean that I am going to tie the quilt layers together. I didn't want to use poly batting because my dd doesn't do well with synthetics. So, do you think I should just give it a go without washing?

[SleeplessMommy]

Yes... washing might be a disaster if the batting tears. I have never prewashed batting, and have made many many quilts. 3% shrinkage is not much at all, a very slight pucker will improve the loft/warmth of the quilt.

[rubelin]

I also like the scrunchiness when batting isn't prewashed BUT I've also prewashed the 100% cotton Warm & Natural batting a lot for use in training pants and it's very easy. Just put it in the washer evenly and fill with hot water. Soak it for a few minutes, do about 10 second of agitating on the gentle setting, repeat the soak/agitate a couple of times, then spin it out. Be careful taking it out of the washer to avoid tearing, and dry in your dryer. Every once in a while I'll find a thin spot where it got cuaght on itself, but that's rare and I've never had a tear.

[GriffsKat]

I am going to do much of the same thing. I've got 100% cotton batting and tying a quilt. So, most of you wouldn't prewash your batting? This is my first big quilt.

[sept04mama]

I've never prewashed and never had a problem- tied or quilted. Good luck!