How to make an Easter treat bag

Do you have lots of batting scraps left over from your quilting projects and don't want to throw them away, yet don't know what to do with them?

While looking through the many Easter projects posted on Pinterest, I saw this cute bunny bag made of felt.

Bunny Bag by Merrilee - @mer-mag on Instagram

Immediately I thought of all the scraps I have of Quilters Dream Fusion Natural Cotton Select and decided to give it a try.

Dream Fusion is my favorite batting because I tend to do small projects, including quilts, on my domestic Singer sewing machine.

The Dream Fusion allows me to secure the batting to my backing material and simply pin the four corners of my quilting projects and quilt away without having to worry about any pleating or puckering of my backing. You do not need to spray baste or thread baste your quilt top to your batting/backing material once the Dream Fusion is secured to your backing material.  [If you like paper piecing, Dream Fusion is wonderful for securing the seams of your finished pieced quilt top!]

For this project I found a sweet spring print and fused the batting and cotton fabric.  The fabric will actually be the inside of the bag and the batting will be the outside of the bag.  [If you have scraps of the Quilters Dream Cotton Select, Deluxe or Supreme loft you can make these bags without of fabric lining!]

To fuse - use the Cotton STEAM setting on your iron, place the Dream Fusion on the ironing board with the fusible side up and then place your fabric right side up on top of the batting.  Steam is your friend.  Take your time and slowly iron the two pieces together.  Once your piece cools the Dream Fusion is secure to the fabric.  

Next - make your template.

I took a half of a sheet of regular typing paper and freehand the outline of the face of a bunny.  Yes, the first time I drew the outline I realized the space between the bunny ears (which will not be sewn) was not going to be wide enough to place any candy in the bag when finished, thus the additional lines.

To ensure both sides were equal, I folded the paper in half and cut.  I did remember to cut a 1/4" seam allowance around the the outline for sewing purposes.

When I opened up the paper template it looked much better.

Because I had a long, narrow piece of fused batting I decided to fold it in half and save myself from having to sew a bottom seam.  

I placed the bottom of the paper template to the folded edge of the batting, pinned the template in place and cut.

Looks good, except I wanted it a little wider at the opening between the ears.  

No problem - just trim the template and batting from the inside of the two ears.

Much better!

Remove the pins and paper template and open up your fused fabric piece.  

Take a piece of your scrap fused fabric and cut out a triangle.  With a zigzag or decorative stitch sew the triangle piece of fabric on the batting side as a nose for your bunny's face.  You will also want to stitch a solid line about 3/4" of an inch from the bottom point of the nose to act as the mouth.  If your machine has a decorative stitch that looks like a filled in circle, use that to sew two eyes just above the fabric nose or add buttons for eyes.

You are almost done!  Fold the piece in half with the batting facing right sides together.  This will mean your fabric is on the outside.

Start at the inside edge of one of the bunny ears and sew all the way around the template.  You will want to back stitch your first few stitches and your last few stitched to secure your sewing.  While I had folded the fabric at the bottom and didn't need to stitch, I was on a roll and just kept sewing until I reached the inside edge of the second ear.

You will leave the space between the ears open.  Now, turn the bunny bag right side or batting side out.

Give the bag one more good steam press with the iron.

Fill with candy.

Take a strip of your fabric or some ribbon and tie a bow at the top and voila!  A fun Easter gift to share with others.

I made two, one for our sweet U.S. Postal Service man, seen here with one of my fellow #battgirls - Neva...

...and the second for our wonderful UPS man.  

So grab your scraps of batting and give your hand a try at making several of these bags.  It really is a quick project and sure to bring a smile to your family and friends (or even your Postman/woman!).

Wishing you and yours a Happy Easter!

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
 

Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS

 

Every day is Christmas here at Quilters Dream Batting because every day Fed Ex, UPS and our postal carriers bring in packages that pile up in the office, blocking doors, and creating a wonderful labyrinth of gifts!  It is so exciting – just imagine, Christmas every day, with gifts of quilts arriving from all over for ALS patients through Quilters Dream’s Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS.


We love Mark! He brings the best goodies!



 



What makes Neva smile? Bright & cheery florals.

We are in the fifth year of Hopes & Dreams, and, once again, we have been made aware that quilters are the most thoughtful, generous, and loving people around.  As Jennifer opens each box, it is a new surprise of colors and wonder.  Even though these quilts will not end up on our own beds, we rejoice in the unpacking, admiring, and coveting of these beautiful quilts that have been lovingly made for ALS patients and ALS research.  Although all the quilts are appreciated, each of us in the office is drawn toward a different style.   Kathy’s favorites are always the batiks and the hand-stitched lovelies.  Gina, our beachcomber, enjoys the peaches and teals of sea-themed quilts.  The pastels are Pat’s favorites, who feels the soft feminine teals, pinks, and blues are warm and calming.  Neva, an avid gardener, is immediately drawn to the bright and cheery florals.  Personally, I like the funky modern piecing designs and unique machine quilted patterns that accent them. 

 Jennifer, our photographer, is fortunate to be able to see each and every quilt unfolded, and enjoys posting the pictures on Facebook for an admiring audience of over 5,000 fans!

 

Look at all these jewels we get to open!!!!

 
 

Every day is Christmas at Quilters Dream because every day we are reminded of how blessed we are to be a part of the caring, generous community of quilters who have made Hopes & Dreams a success.

 

 

Check out all the quilts that have been donated by visiting http://www.facebook.com/pages/Quilters-Dream-Batting-sponsoring-Hopes-and-Dreams-Quilt-Challenge-for-ALS/150913912237?ref=ts&fref=ts

 

 

For more information about the Hopes & Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS, click the link below.

http://quiltersdreambatting.com/HD/ALS.htm

Happy Quilting!

 ~The Dream Team

 

 

How do you enjoy your quilt?

 

I looked into the living room yesterday to see my two boys curled up together in a quilt on the couch watching a movie and eating pizza… how could it not make me smile.  The oldest, 4 year old Caleb, will often share the quilt with his brother, 2 year old Lucas, and together they watch movies or pull the quilt over their heads giggling underneath, or catch the dog in a quilt “net.”  This quilt, which spends most of its days on the back of the couch, is well loved, often washed, and, to be honest, it is very much abused.  As I looked over the beautiful fabrics offered at Quilt Market in Houston, I thought about what old and new fabrics I wanted to use in my next quilt, which I will be making for my niece’s new baby.  I am happily planning this quilt with the intention of it receiving the same kinds of loving abuse as the one my boys have.  Some quilts aren’t meant to be hung on a wall for a long time – they are meant to be very well loved just for a short while.

 

 

This got me thinking about a poem my co-worker, Neva, shared with me, written by Nancy Riddel. I am happy to share that poem with you, and hope more than a few of you recognize this quilt in your own family.  Happy Quilting!   ~Jane~

 

It’s Your Quilt

By Nancy Riddel

 It’s OK if you sit on your quilt.

It’s OK if your bottle gets spilt

If you swallow some air

And you burp, don’t despair,

It’s OK if you spit on your quilt.

 

There are scraps old and new

in your quilt

Put together for you on your quilt.

If your gums feel numb

‘Cause your teeth haven’t come,

It’s OK if you chew on your quilt.

 

We expect you to lie on your quilt.

If you hurt, you may cry

on your quilt.

On a cold rainy night,

Don’t you fret, you’re all right,

You’ll be snug, warm and dry

On your quilt

Happy Quilting!

 ~The Dream Team

 

You can count on us...



Scrap batting made into a flower.

We hope everyone had a fabulous relaxing summer and stayed cool! Now that the kiddies are back in school and the holidays are just around the corner ( Uggg so soon right?) we are certain you are going to be busy bees quilting and crafting away. Keep in mind we are always here to help you with your batting questions and needs. Please call us for samples of our batting to try! We will be more than happy to send you some and a user’s guide to go along with it. We will also be glad to help you with goodies (mini samples) to put in gift bags for grand openings, guild meetings or shop hops! Give us a shout and we’ll help ya out!



Mini Samples

Thank you for your support.We truly appreciate it!

Quilters Dream Batting
888.268.8664
quiltersdreambatting@juno.com

Happy Quilting!

 ~The Dream Team

 

Bearding and Pokies, the Bane of Quilting

Bearding:

 If you have ever had a quilt beard, you know how frustrating and heart-wrenching it can be.  Once that soft, wonderful batting is in the quilt, the last thing you want is to see little bits of it appear on the top.  Bearding gets its name because back when poly fiber was stiff and horrible (think leisure suit) the fibers would poke through the fabric and then grow like an old man’s scruffy beard.  Today’s Quilters Dream Batting fibers, even the poly fibers, are fine, thin, long, and soft, and naturally resist bearding.  However, on the rare occasion given the wrong conditions, even the highest quality batting can sometimes beard. 

We have found that many high quality fabric manufacturers use a sulfur-based chemical in their dyeing process (especially when dying dark and vivid colors like reds and dark blues).  The sulfur is very good for fabrics because the sulfur molecule is five-sided, which causes a strong bond and makes the colors very color-fast.  The disadvantage to the “attraction” created by having 5 sides is that more surfaces promote static electricity.  When you wear dark colors or a very vivid print, have you noticed that pet hairs and fuzz balls seem to stick to you?  It isn’t your imagination – the sulfur has caused a static charge making everything stick.  In quilting, the combination of motion (sewing), handling, and atmospheric conditions, especially dry climates or the dry winter heating, will cause the fibers of batting to ‘stand up’ like the hair on our arms and be drawn to the fabric.

The solution is to break the static charge.  You can use an anti-static spray, such as Static Guard both on finished and unfinished quilts.  If you don’t have an anti-static spray, put a few anti-static dryer sheets in a spray bottle with water and sprits both the fabric and the batting (or the finished quilt).

When you wash your quilt, use fabric softeners in the washer and anti-static sheets in the dryer.  It is also helpful to remove the quilt from the dryer before it is totally dry and hang it.  Do not store the finished quilt or your quilts-in-progress in regular plastic bags as this really promotes static electricity. Using a humidifier in the workplace not only cuts down on static, but is great for your skin! 

Pokies:   

You know what the pokies are – when the batting fibers pull through the fabric with your thread.  I don’t know what the technical term is, but everyone seems to know about pokies.  This is a different problem from bearding, but has the same result – seeing batting where you shouldn’t be seeing batting, on the outside of the quilt.

The first thing to try when you have the pokies is to change the needle.  It could be that your needle isn’t sharp enough or that there are barbs on your needle (even if you can’t feel them).  A customer gave me a good suggestion, which is to take the needle and jab it through the layered quilt a few times before putting it in the machine, just to make sure it glides through and there are no barbs.  She discovered that a couple of her needles had barbs that she could not even feel that were causing pokies on the back of her quilt.

If you are using cotton thread, cotton fibers are curly and will grab the batting fibers if given the chance, so use a mercerized or coated thread.  If you are using dark thread or fabric, give your thread a shot of anti-static spray as well as your fabric and batting.  I will leave the benefits of using a high quality thread to the thread manufacturers’ sales teams, but you have been advised:  use a quality thread and avoid a lot of headaches.

If you have never had these problems, I pray that you never will!  For the rest of you, I feel your pain and can sympathize.  I hope this blog has helped!

Happy Quilting!

 ~The Dream Team

~Things I learned from my first quilt~

·    Save time and energy by just going to the quilt shop to get the quality fabric and supplies you want.  They are far more knowledgeable, helpful, and friendlier than discount stores, with better quality supplies, to boot (including Quilters Dream Batting, which is not sold in discount stores). They even gave me snacks while we visited- thank you Sarah’s Thimble!

·     If you have young children, you may need a locked safe to keep all your fabric pieces out of their hands.

·    Don’t even bother putting away the ironing board.

·    Buy three times as many pins as you think you will need, and there is a slight possibility that you will have enough.

·    Don’t leave the half pinned quilt on the dining room table with a cat in the house or it stands a good chance of getting a furball left on it.

·    If you tell a three year old to keep his snacks away from the half finished quilt, it will end up with a piece of American cheese stuck to it.

·    When free motion quilting words (thank you La Pierre Studio and their Free Motion Slider), write dark enough to be able to easily follow or the word “Faith” may end up saying “Faih.” 

·    Buy twice as much thread as you think you will need, and you may have enough

·    Don’t leave the binding to finish the day before it needs to be done, or you may just have to bind while suffering from strep throat.

·    The big hug and sincere “Thank you – I will keep it forever” you get when giving the quilt to a college bound graduate is well worth the effort!

      ~Quilted & written by Jane~