Batting University (Part 1) Dream Cotton and Dream Poly Batting

One of the biggest advantages to choosing Quilters Dream Batting is that we make so many types of quilt batting (nine and counting. 9!) that there is always a perfect Dream Batting for whatever quilt you want to make. We are thrilled to be able to offer you so many great options in various lofts!  However, the more choices available, the harder it can be to choose the perfect batting for your quilt!

Not every batting is perfect for every quilt, and your choice the foundation of your quilt will affect not only the warmth, but how the finished quilt will look, wash, hang, drape and feel. Not everyone has the same goal in making a quilt. A quilt that will be traveling to the quilt shows will need different specifications from a quilt that will be snuggled by a pizza eating toddler!

I am often asked which type of quilt batting is best, and I answer with a lot of questions, such as:

• Will you be hand-quilting, machine quilting (longarm or shortarm), or will your quilt be tied?
• How will your quilt be used?  
• Do you want to emphasize your quilting?  Do you want a more traditional look or a modern look?
• Do you need the quilt to keep you very warm? Keep you cool?
• Be easy to wash and dry? 
• How important is flame retardancy? 

To help you find the perfect batting for your quilt,, Quilters Dream Batting will be hosting a month long, four installment "Batting University”.


Batting University is about choices, and helping to make sure your finished quilt is perfect for whatever goal you have in mind because every quilt (even that pizza stained one on the back of my couch) is a treasure!   So here we go....

QUILTERS DREAM COTTON 

The original Quilters Dream batting that put us on the quilting map!   We introduced Quilters Dream Batting at Charlotte Quilt Spring Market in the mid 1990's -- a new type of high quality 100% cotton batting unlike any other.... and the response from shop owners, professional quilters, and teachers was incredible!   When we arrived at Charlotte the name of our batting was "Quilters Cotton" - but thanks to a well known teacher and hand quilter swooning "this just Quilts like a Dream".... the name Quilters Dream Batting and our tag line "Quilts Like a Dream" were born!    Listening and learning from our quilters is what we do... and the variety of having four lofts of Quilters Dream Cotton Batting (along with our other great battings) are the results of your requests!

Quilters Dream Cotton Request Loft (Aqua Label): 
Request Loft is the very lightest weight batting.  

Quilters Dream Cotton Select Loft (Pink Label)
 The Dream Cotton Select loft is our most popular midloft.

Quilters Dream Cotton Deluxe Loft (Purple Label)
The Deluxe Loft is exceptionally warm while being exceptionally soft. 

Quilters Dream Cotton Supreme Loft - 100% USA Cotton
The weightiest of ALL cotton battings - for machine quilting only.   
 

Click here for more Loft information:   Unique Features of Each Loft 

 

Quilters Dream Cotton Batting:

Advantages:
Some shrinkage (1-3%) upon washing/drying for the slightly puckered look.
100% natural cotton a renewable fiber, grown by USA farmers.  There are no scrim, glue, resins or binders in Quilters Dream Cotton - so it is truly 100% natural.
Dream Cotton is Available in 4 lofts from very lightest cotton batting (Request loft) to the very heaviest cotton batting on the market (Supreme loft).
Beautiful drape – the Request and Select lofts are especially huggable
Very warm – cotton has a high thermal value, so it is a great insulator.  The Deluxe and Supreme lofts are extra-extra warm.
One of the many natural advantages of 100% cotton is that the fibers naturally absorbs moisture to help keep you comfy.
We use one of the longest and highest grade USA staple cotton fiber available.  Using high quality long fibers and state of the art needlepunch manufacturing allows us to produce the ultimate in cotton batting.  This enables you to  stitch up to 8" apart (giving you great design freedom) or you can stitch very close together and keep an exceptional soft
lovely drape – excellent for stippling.
Curly natural soft cotton fibers are cohesive and  resist poking through and bearding. Disadvantages: Natural color of cotton can give beige undertones to white fabric (recommend using bleached Dream Cotton or Dream Poly for white fabrics). Cost compared to man-made fibers. Shrinkage/puckering effect may not be desirable for your quilt style. Can impart a crease/fold line that needs ironed or steamed out. Not recommended for utilitarian tied quilts. Does not dry as quickly as polyester battings. ________________________________________

QUILTERS DREAM POLY:   

Definitely NOT Polyester as Usual!   With the invention of fine denier microfibers (one of the biggest breakthroughs in polyester) came new advantages to using polyester fibers.   In Dream Poly there are over 60 million soft silky microfibers per pound (standard polyester batts uses about 5 million fibers per pound).   Our exclusive blend and needlepunch processing of these revolutionary microfibers gives Dream Poly exceptional hand, beautiful drape, warmth, better breathability and comfort, surpassing all other polyester batts! 
You wont believe it is polyester!

Quilters Dream Poly Request  (Bright Teal Label/Yellow Daisies)
The lightest poly batting

Quilters Dream Poly Select  (Bright Pink Label/Yellow Daisies)
Ideal Mid-loft Poly Batting

Quilters Dream Poly Deluxe  (Bright Purple Label/Yellow Daisies)
Weightiest of the Polyester Battings

Quilters Dream Poly Batting:

Advantages:
Needlepunched poly microfibers mimic cotton fibers, so you get the look and feel of cotton
Available in 3 lofts from very light weight to heavy weight - choices for both hand and machine quilters.
No shrinkage, so quilting will look the same after washing, maintain just quilted look.   Excellent choice for modern quilters and modern quilting.
Will not hold a crease, even if it is folded up for months
Does not absorb moisture, so it dries very quickly and will not hold a stain
Less expensive
Breathable – there are no scrims or other barriers that would inhibit airflow
Very long fine denier fibers – no lint on the machine or in the air!
Fine denier microfibers bend when in contact with fabric, so they resist bearding Available in bright white or true midnight Black. Excellent for tied quilts. Disadvantages: Not a natural fiber (man made) Does not impart a puckered, antiqued look.

Check back soon for Part 2 of Dream Batting University where we will cover Dream Green and Dream Orient batting. 

 Can't Wait to learn more?   For extra credit and more information Click Here:  Additional Quilters Dream Batting product information
 

ONLY 27,400 QUILTS TO GO!

Yes, you are reading this right.  According to the ALS Association there are 30,000 Americans living with ALS right now.  The Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS would love to ensure that each one of these "PALS" - persons living with ALS - has a quilt.  Like Frank T. in Pennsylvania.

Merrit Holland Spier, Executive Director of the ALS Association Western Pennsylvania Chapter said Frank was thrilled with his gift of a quilt from Hopes & Dreams and so wanted to share this photo with each of you.  The quilt Frank received was made by Athena Mahnke of Belgium - yes, Belgium!  We are delighted that more and more friends internationally are hearing about and supporting Hopes & Dreams, especially when they face double and triple the shipping costs we incur to send their donated quilt(s) to the United States.



To date, you have joined with Hopes & Dreams and gifted a little over 2,600 quilts to PALS in the last four years. In the last month we have shipped 383 quilts that will be gifted to ALS patients this holiday season and requests for quilts are on the rise. Like the special request we received from Angela Frederick of  Belgrade, Montana.

Angela sent a sweet, simple note to our Hopes & Dreams Facebook page wanting to know how to receive a quilt.  In her words, "I have ALS and the quilts look so comfy :)) "  Immediately we asked for her address and a few days later her Hopes & Dreams quilt arrived.  Angela was beyond thrilled.  She shared the above picture of her smiling with her quilt and wrote, "I saw the Hopes & Dreams Facebook page on one of my ALS friends Facebook pages.  When I actually received my quilt I cried.  Just knowing that there are people out there who care is such a Godsend and means the world to me and my family."

Can you imagine the day before Valentine's Day being told by a doctor that you have a disease that is incurable, has no treatment and is 100% fatal?  That is exactly what happened to Angela on February 13 of this year.  Her Hopes & Dreams quilt was a wonderful gift of the heart.

"I had symptoms for about four years and the cold makes me weaker and my muscle spasms increase," writes Angela.  "Right now I have trouble walking and using my arms and hands.  The quilt keeps me warm, and it's more special then using a store bought blanket.  I will also use it for outings in my wheelchair when it's cold out.  A lot of people do not know what ALS is and when an organization like yours has people making quilts for us, it is very special to us.  Merry Christmas and God Bless to each of you."

So, we have 27,400 quilts to go to ensure all 30,000 people living with ALS right now have the same warmth and love and hope that Angela and Frank now enjoy. With your help we would love to reach a goal of 1,000 donated quilts in this our 5th year of the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS.  Want to know how you can participate?  Visit our Hopes & Dreams website or give us a call toll-free at (888) 268-8664.

Merry Christmas to all and numerous blessings in the New Year!

Your grateful Hopes & Dreams coordinator.

383 QUILTS TO PALS!

The boxes have started to arrive at ALS Chapters across the country filled with Hopes & Dreams Quilts.  We shipped out close to 400 quilts in the last few weeks to the delight of our ALS friends.

 

Our friend Merritt Holland Spier, Executive Director of the Western Pennsylvania ALS Chapter sent pictures of them opening boxes.  They are always so thrilled with your Hopes & Dreams Quilts.

 

Merritt writes, "70 quilts - all different - all made with love from Quilters Dream Batting sponsoring Hopes and Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS for people living with ALS.  We will make sure they get to those in need!"

And in the mail today - a Thank You!

 

 

Brenda Edelman, Director of Patient Services, of the Greater Philadelphia ALS Chapter, sent a thank you for the beautiful quilts that will be going to "PALS" - persons living with ALS - in the states of New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania.  On the phone Brenda exclaimed, "When these boxes arrived I got so excited!  All of the staff is coming in on Friday and we make opening the boxes an event here and it's as much you giving us a gift as it is when the quilts are given as gifts to our patients during our Christmas visits and Christmas parties!" 

You can give the gift of a quilt this Christmas to a family member or friend and help find a cure for ALS.  You can purchase a Hopes and Dreams quilt by visiting the Hopes and Dreams Storenvy shop and by visiting the Richard Stravitz 30th Street Art Gallery located at 3004 Pacific Avenue (corner of 30th Street and Pacific Avenue), in Virginia Beach.

If you're a quilter, consider making a Hopes & Dreams quilt and be entered to win fabulous prizes from our wonderful sponsors.  You can download a printable Entry Form on our Hopes & Dreams website.    

2014 is the Fifth Annual Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS and with your participation we hope to make it the biggest year ever!

Your Grateful Hopes & Dreams Coordinator

 

Guest Blogger: Dog Under My Desk ~ Puff Mini Comforter Tutorial & FREE Puff Twin Giveaway!

Since having the chance to play with Quilters Dream Puff, I can say it is by far my favorite puffy poly batting. It’s so much softer and more flexible than some of the stiffer high-loft poly battings, even those labeled “soft”, and you can quilt it up to 10” apart rather than 2-5” that other poly battings require. It’s about 1/3” thick, so you can easily add a second layer for more loft and still be able to quilt it on your sewing machine.


Since the craft size package is about the size of a yard of fabric, I just had to make little mini comforters for the pups. My dogs always prefer to snuggle in a blanket, even if it’s on top of their dog bed (or MY bed!) and it’s nice to have little blankets that are easy to wash and don’t take up a lot of room to store. These would also be super quick kid gifts! They are the perfect size for toddlers to drag around. They are also a great stash buster. If you don’t have a two yard cut, just add an extra seam instead of the fold and use two complimentary one-yard pieces!


Continue reading Erin Erickson's Puff Mini Comforter Tutorial at Dog Under My Desk>>>>>>>>>>

Want to make a Mini Comforter for the furry friends in your life?

Post a Comment below telling us your pets snuggle habits.
Do they sleep on the floor? Have their own bed . . . steal your bed?
Let us know below.

This Friday Dec. 6th we will select one random post to receive a FREE Puff Twin from Quilters Dream!

Hopes & Dreams Featured in Australian Quilt Magazine

The postage on the package reads $28.90.  But Melissa Tahu of Adelaide, Australia would have paid three times the postage to send the contents of this package to the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS.

Her special delivery contained the quilt photographed below titled "Dino Boy Quilt."  Melissa was going to sell this quilt on her own online shop called "Dainty Jane Quilts," but decided she wanted to help raise money for ALS Research and asked if we would place this quilt on the Hopes & Dreams Storenvy shop instead.  She wrote, "I know it is only a cot quilt, do you think you would be able to auction if off to help raise money for ALS Research?"

 

Melissa, like Quilters Dream Batting owner Kathy Thompson and many other family members of loved ones living with ALS, is on a mission to raise awareness and help fund research for a cure after watching her Mother suffer with this 100-year old devastating disease.

Melissa shared with us that she is an avid quilter and was lucky to have inherited some of her quilting skills from her 'mum.'  Unfortunately, Melissa's Mum passed away in July of this year.  Not only did she share her little dynamo quilt with Hopes & Dreams, she shared the mission of Hopes & Dreams with one of Australia's Quilt Magazines.

 

Down Under Quilts Editor Linda Robertus explained that Melissa had sent a photo of one of her other quilts for their "Show and Tell" pages, which they published in an earlier issue.  After seeing her quilt in publication, Linda said Melissa asked if they would like to write something about the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS. "We were happy to do it!" exclaimed Linda.

Here are two more pages Linda sent of the magazine that we can share with you.

The photo and write up on Hopes & Dreams immediately caught the attention of Australian Hazel Overfield who lost her husband to ALS just over a month ago.  Hazel wrote, "Just read about this wonderful idea in Down Under Quilts magazine, which I love.  Having lost my husband to this horrible disease just a month ago this seems to be yet another way of using my interest in quilting to promote awarness of MND/ALS...Sewing was my Sanity Saver this year and if I had known of this could have been making quilts for this cause!  Congratulations on this venture and hope to see it reach Aussie shores!"

Melissa, Linda, Hazel - and YOU - are proof that quilters will reach from all parts of the world to touch the life and heart of others and give Hope to Our Dreams of a Cure!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Your Grateful Hopes & Dreams Coordinator

The Warmth of Fall

The trees outside of Quilters Dream Batting are just now starting to show signs that a new season is approaching.

The beautiful red, orange and yellow leaves signal a time of cooler temperatures and the approaching Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays.  And as the holidays approach the mailbox is beginning to fill with greeting cards and well wishes for peaceful, merry and safe days ahead.  And tucked in between the greetings are very special notes addressed to Hopes & Dreams filled with heartfelt words of thanks and gratitude.

Like this note we received from Roger and Renee Siervogel of Yellow Springs, Ohio.  Roger wanted to let us know that his fall will be especially warm thanks to the Hopes & Dreams quilt he received.  Roger writes, "Thank you for your special dedication to the Hopes and Dreams of a cure for ALS!  I have been living with ALS for 10+ years (diagnosed 6/08/03) and I am no longer able to walk, so my lap blanket will be keeping we warm as the cooler season is upon us...

 

  ...I have included some pictures of my walk Team from September...

 

 

... and of course the beautiful quilt that I received at our ALS Dayton, Ohio Support Group!  Thank you so much for your generosity, support and care for PALS! (people living with ALS)  May God Bless Each of You, Roger."

 

In the United States there are approximately 50,000 PALS - people living with ALS - and hundreds, if not thousands more living with ALS in other countries.  The quilts we receive give Hope to the Dream of a Cure for ALS and help warm the laps and hearts of PALS, like Roger.  So far more than 2,600 quilts have been gifted to PALS and with your help thousands more will receive the gift of a guilt.  To learn more about donating a quilt to Hopes & Dreams visit our website here.

 

And while you are making that list and checking it twice, consider purchasing a Hopes & Dreams Quilt that will warm the heart of your loved one while helping fund much needed ALS research.

 

 

100% of the purchase of each Hopes & Dreams Quilt on Storenvy goes to fund ALS Research.  Enjoy the changing seasons and know your gift of a quilt is bringing warmth to many people this fall.

 

Your Grateful Hopes & Dreams Coordinator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Houston Quilt Market Experience

 

Jennifer, Neva & I are back from Houston Quilt Market and our Special Hopes &. Dreams exhibit at Quilt Festival- and we had a wonderful time!

Yes ...we worked really hard (its not all glamour!). We arrive in Houston the day before the show, rushing from our 6am east-coast flight straight to the 'non-air-conditioned' convention center, going right to work to build our exhibit booth. We lift heavy boxes, unpack....

......move pallets, climb ladders (and chairs), lay carpet, reach and stretch to hang batting and decorations on 10' steel poles ...using body parts we rarely use anymore:). All while constantly dodging what seems to be an army of horn- blowing forklift drivers speeding through the aisles delivering giant crates and supplies to hundreds of vendors. Did I mention NO air conditioning?

By midnight....With a power bar and glass(es) of wine for a late night dinner - we finally get to bed.

Next morning, first day of the show....from the chaos of setup..... a beautiful Quilt Market opens.

 

We three 'gals', who are used to our comfy desk jobs (see our 'backsides' for proof:), are now in our busy little booth, on our feet for ten hours straight for three days. Our evenings are booked with socials and events. And on the final day of the show....as soon as they make the closing announcement (simultaneously with turning off the air-conditioning) we are back to lifting, climbing, dodging, packing, stretching, and hauling to tear down the booth and ship our show decor back home!

Yet....with all this, we still had a great time! It is crazy that the show could be so much work but could be SO much fun! We get to greet, meet and talk to our incredible customers face to face, we get to see our fellow exhibitors that have become such good friends, we get to work with our friends at Quilts Inc (who put together the entire show) and we make lots of new friends!

Pokey Bolton is a Dream! She is working with Quilts, Inc. and even generously made the IQA auction quilt using Quilters Dream Cotton!

Mike and Gary Harper of JN Harper, C

 

We get to see and hear about the latest and greatest quilting trends. We talk to designers, teachers, authors, shop owners and manufacturers and learn what they are working on, what they have created and how they use our batting. We witness the vision, hard work and the creative process coming to life; with color, fabric, art, tools, techniques, solutions, technology, networking, sharing and imagination flowing freel

Angela Walters and her new fabric line, Drift, are both fabulous!

New amazing Brother scanner that laser cuts fabric to your images!!

 

And then ...all around us ....some of the most stunningly beautiful quilts in the world! Eye-Candy everywhere

Melinda Bula's beautiful quilt, 'Monet in Pasadena.

When we fall into bed late each night we are exhausted - yet we are exhilarated, inspired, energized and happy....because, we just LOVE being part of the incredible quilting community!

I wish everyone who loves to quilt could experience Houston Quilt Market/Festival at least once!

Here our just a few of our pictures from Quilt Market that we thought you would enjoy (for more pictures visit our Facebook page):

 

Our very own, Jennifer, who Loves, Loves, Loves the new Dream Fusion!

 

 

 

Amazing painted threads and the whimsical creations of Thread Nuts.

Angela Walters beautiful new fabric line, "Drift", and her beautiful quilting. Visit her at quiltingismytherapy.

Susan Nelson from Prairie Sky Quilting - check out her great patterns and her unique Batting Buddy for cutting batting and fabric!

 

Susan Rass and her 'ghouls' from Tomorrow's Treasured Quilts of Crystal Ciy, Fl. in the best Halloween spirit!

One of the amazing miniature dolls on display:

Jinny Byers beautiful quilt:

Amy Butler's booth - beautiful in color and soul:

Little Angel Tommy and his mommy, love Quilters Dream Angel. #quiltybox

Timna Tarr, of S. Hadley Mass used Quilters Dream Wool for this award award winning, Traditional Pieced Catagory. This is her interpretation of the New England autumn leaf display!

Sorry that I do not have the name info on this beautiful quilt by a Quilter from Japan.....the details are amazing. The children are her grandchildren. Notice the teenage girl in the right corner? She used a photo of herself as a young girl and quilted in 'her young self' watching over her grandchildren. Beautiful!

Voted one of the top 100 quilts of our time - this gorgeous quilt by Libby Lehman was one of her many beautiful quilts. Her quilts were on display to honor Libby and her courageous battle in overcoming a very serious recent stroke. Our thoughts and prayers are with her:

 

All the best and Happy Quilting, Kathy Thompson!

 

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