Featured Battgirl // Emily Tindall (Homemade Emily Jane)

When I was 19 years old my grandma taught me how to quilt. It was the summer after my freshman year in college and I was staying at my grandparent’s house for a few weeks. During the time I spent with them, we pieced a whole twin size quilt top! I later had my local long-arm quilter do the quilting for me.

I love that quilt to pieces, especially for what it gave me – the love of quilting AND an amazing hobby to deepen my relationship with my beloved grandma. I never really stopped quilting after that first one. From the living room of my first apartment, to the dining room table of my sorority house, to the sewing room in my first home with my husband, one thing has been constant: a deep need to always be quilting.

Once I realized the cost of having a long-armer finish my quilts I quickly came to terms with the fact that I was going to need to learn how to do that part myself! I did a few free-motion quilts, and even more with my walking foot, but lately I have totally fallen in love with the steady, therapeutic slow rhythm of hand quilting. When I first started trying out hand quilting I had very little knowledge of different batting types, but it was my love for hand quilting that spurred me to seek out the best batting for a comfortable, lightweight feel that worked great on hand quilting –  Quilters Dream Orient Batting.

It is a blend of fibers including Silk, Cotton, and Bamboo and has a super luxurious feel! It's low loft, lightweight, and cozy as can be - which is necessary for a Florida girl like me! The absolute best part about Quilter's Dream Orient batting is that you can quilt as dense as you like, or up to 8" apart, which makes it incredibly versatile! If you've never tried Orient batting, I highly suggest you give it a go on your next quilting project!

If you want to see more images of the quilts I make with Quilter’s Dream batting, please subscribe to my blog and connect with me on Instagram & Facebook!

Happy Quilting!

Batting University (Part 2) Dream Green and Dream Orient Batting

This week we are delighted to continue Batting University with a look at Quilters Dream Green and Quilters Dream Orient battings!  We hope you enjoy a closer look at what makes each batting unique. If you have any questions or you would like free samples, call us toll free, 1-888-268-8664, or email: QuiltersDreamBatting@juno.com 

QUILTERS DREAM GREEN BATTING

Dream Green batting is a soft, cozy, and cuddly batting that is 100% made from recycled bottles.  Each pound of Dream Green rescues 10 bottles that could be added to the landfills! The polyester microfibers are indistinguishable from virgin poly fibers, so it has all the advantages of Dream Poly with added environmental benefits.

Dream Green Batting
The green coloring comes from the recycled bottles - there must be a lot of Mt. Dew drinkers!

Advantages:

• Made 100% from recycled bottles for the environmentally sensitive quilter
  
• Needlepunched poly microfibers mimic cotton fibers, so you get the look and feel of cotton
  
• No shrinkage, so quilting will look the same after washing
  
• Excellent for both hand and machine 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
  
• Breathable – there are no scrims or other barriers that would inhibit airflow
  
• Fine denier microfibers bend when in contact with fabric, so they resist bearding

Disadvantages:

• Green in color, so test when using under white or very light colored fabrics
  
• Does not shrink, so you will get no puckering
  
• Does not wick moisture away from the body like cotton
  
• Is not a natural fiber (man-made)

QUILTERS DREAM ORIENT BATTING

Dream Orient is the softest, drapiest batting available! East meets West with this elegant blend of sustainable bamboo, luxurious silk, botanic Tencel® and strong, stable cotton. One touch and you will be hooked!

Freshly quilted Dream Orient Batting. Lovely drape that begs to be fondled.

Teal quilted pinwheel block is a single layers of Dream Orient Batting. Purple quilted pinwheel is a double layer of Dream Orient batting - even doubled it keeps a wonderful drape.

Advantages:

• The very softest and best draping batting there is, even when stitched very closely
  
• Slight shrinkage (1-3%) upon washing/drying for the slightly puckered look
  
• Excellent for both hand and machine quilting
  
• Wicks moisture away from the body to keep you cool in the summer
  
• Breathable – there are no scims or other barriers that would inhibit airflow
  
• Fine denier fibers bend when in contact with fabric, so they resist bearding

Disadvantages:

• Slight Shrinkage (1-3%) after washing
  
• Cost compared with other battings
  
• Not recommended for tied quilts
  
• Bamboo fibers are short, so can be a bit linty if over-handled
  
• Fibers are not 100% from the USA, however, Dream Orient (like all Dream Battings) is made in the USA!

Please come back next week for part 3 of our Month Long Series: Batting University.  We will continue with Dream Angel (flame retardant batting) and Dream Blend for Machines!

 

Happy Quilting!