Quilters Dream Angel Batting: A baby quilt for Ivanka.

I made this baby quilt for Ivanka, she works in our warehouse, mainly handling international orders. She has worked with us for 12 years! And in those 12 years shes never been gifted a quilt :(

She is expecting her first grandchild early in the New Year... what a perfect reason to whip her up a quilt!  I had a bunch of baby fabric from scrap packs I purchased from Hawthorne Threads. Their scrap packs are incredible!  They usually send about a 1/4 yd of end of bolt current fabric.  Hawthorne has such a great selection on modern fabrics.  I came up with a nautical theme for her grandson to be. Added in Carolyn Friedlander Widescreen in Crosshatch White for the background.

Nautical scraps.  Orange chevron fabric for contrast.

Atkinson Designs Texas Two Step blocks.

I went with Atkinson Designs Texas Two Step  for the pattern.  I love this pattern! Includes all sizes from Baby - King and is sews up quickly.  From start to finish ... cutting, ironing, layout, sewing, quilting and binding - exactly 12 hours - not too shabby.

Texas Two Step layout.

One day, I will have a design wall.  For now, I use the floor... or the bed :)

I chose our Dream Angel Flame Retardant batting in Select Mid loft.  I have never worked with our Angel Batting before.  I'm pretty much just a cotton or poly girl.  I was blown away by the Dream Angel! It has very smooth, almost silky hand.  Check out the picture below.

Dream Angel is made of fibers that are specially engineered to be flame retardant.  The fibers are inherently flame retardant with no chemical additives and no PBDEs;  And because the flame retardancy is extruded into the fibers, not sprayed or added on to the surface, you can wash your quilt as needed without degrading the flame retardant quality of the fibers.  

Dream Angel has been tested by an independent laboratory and meets both international standards and the NEW DRAFT CAL 604. 

To pass the Cal 604 draft - a quilt sandwich was made using cotton fabric and one layer of Dream Angel batting.  The sandwich was laid on and elevated screen.  The top layer of cotton fabric was set on fire.   To pass the CAL 604 Draft the Dream Angel had to act as a flame barrier - to which it performed beautifully!   The bottom layer of cotton fabric used in the tests were not burned and did not catch fire!

Dream Angel Select Loft.

Which backing.

These were the contenders for the backing: Shannon Fabrics Cuddle Dimple in Beige, Angela Walters Textures fabric in Crosshatch Silver, or unknown stashed flannel.  I really wanted to use up the flannel, but the color was all wrong and I just didn't have enough.  Went with the Cuddle Dimple. The contrast of the beige backing on a mostly white quilt worked perfectly.

I quilted two rows of simple straight lines to outline the blocks. 

Stitch in the ditch Acu-feed Walking foot.

Machine sewed scrappy binding (time constants!)

Finished!

Share with us your experience with Quilters Dream Angel,  we'd love to here from you! If you'd like a complimentary sample of Quilters Dream Angel, please contact us at quiltersdreambatting@juno.com or toll free 1-888-268-8664.

Batting University (Part 3) Dream Blend and Dream Angel Batting

This week we are delighted to continue Batting University with a look at Quilters Dream Blend for Machines and Quilters Dream Angel batting! 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: customerservice@quiltersdreambatting.com

Quilters Dream Blend for Machines available in Select (mid-loft) quilts up beautifully!

QUILTERS DREAM BLEND BATTING For Machines

"Soft to hug, yet takes the tug!"  Dream Blend is the only batting we make that has a scrim base (similar in look/feel to a cheesecloth) that adds stability for tugging, pulling, and general abuse.  It consists of 70% cotton and 30% polyester that is needle punched through the ultra-light scrim base.  Dream Blend was developed  for machine quilters who need more strength and stability, especially for use on the longarm machine.

Quilters Dream Blend Batting with the reinforcing scrim layer peeled back from the batting.

Advantages:

• Some shrinkage (1-3%) for the slightly puckered look

• Has a light scrim, so it will not stretch at all nor leave hand prints from pulling 

• Can be stitched up to 12" apart! 

• We used the lightest weight scrim available to it still has a nice drape and does not feel stiff.

• 70% cotton, so it will wick moisture away from the body to keep you cool in the summer  

• Very long fibers – no lint in your machine or in the air!

Disadvantages:

• Slight Shrinkage (1-3%) after washing
• Scrim can reduce the breathability of the batting slightly
• Holds a slight crease over time (can be fluffed out in the dryer, though!)
• Not a 100% natural product (some man made fibers)
• Due to reinforcing scrim layer, Blend Is not recommended for hand quilting.

QUILTERS DREAM ANGEL BATTING

Dream Angel is heavenly because it is made 100% from flame retardant fibers. 

The fibers are specially engineered to be flame retardant without bromides or other harmful chemicals.  Dream Angel Batting is needle punched to create a soft, cozy,

breathable batting with a natural look and feel.

Advantages:

  

• Made from proprietary blend of two different flame retardant fibers. Has passed the California 604 test for flammability (A cotton sheet is placed on top and on the bottom of the batting.The top was set on fire, and the bottom remained undamaged!! Wow!)

• Needlepunched man made fibers mimic cotton fibers, so you get the look and feel of cotton

• Available in Select loft for hand and machine quilting
• Some shrinkage (1-3%) for the slightly puckered look
• 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
• Very long fibers – no lint on the machine or in the air!
• Fine denier microfibers bend when in contact with fabric, so they resist bearding

Disadvantages:

• Some shrinkage (1-3%) for the slightly puckered look

• Does not wick moisture away from the body like cotton

• Is a man made fiber

• Cost

Please come back soon for part 4 of our Month Long Series: Batting University.  We will continue with Dream Puff, Dream Wool, and Dream Fusion Battings!

Happy Quilting!

Quilters Dream Angel- Flame Retardant Batting

QUILTERS DREAM ANGEL BATTING

The first quilt batting made 100% from Flame Retardant Fibers.

We have had quite a few calls and emails lately inquiring about the unique feature of our Quilters Dream Angel batting. It may sound as if this wonderful product is made from feathers and clouds but that might make a mess of a quilt!
Although the process of creating Dream Angel is our trade secret, we are excited to give you a little more inside knowledge!

What is it made of?

Dream Angel fibers are neither cotton nor polyester - they are specially engineered fibers created to be flame retardant. These man-made fibers contain no PBDE's, bromides or chemical additives. You cannot rub or wash off the flame retardant quality due to the fibers being inherently flame retardant. We have spent years of research in developing this proprietary product. We did not take any 'shortcuts' on this batting and use ONLY Flame Retardant Fibers.

Gidget (office mascot) showing off the Dream Angel

What makes it flame retardant?

Dream Angel is self-extinguishing. This means it draws oxygen away helping to extinguish a flame. When in contact with flame the batting will not melt or assist to 'kindle' or support the flame. The Dream Angel fibers have met international flame retardant standards.

Test results were….?

Dream Angel's test results were exceptional!
During the testing by an independent testing laboratory, the batting was placed between 2 layers of cotton fabric and elevated on to a mesh rack (to promote airflow). The top layer of fabric was caught on fire and the batting formed a barrier preventing the bottom layer of cotton from being damaged at all! Dream Angel passed this difficult test standard: the California Dept. of Consumer Affairs - Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation Draft - Technical Bulletin 604 for Filling Materials Component Test Open-Flame Resistance.

Why would I use this?

The Dream Angel is very soft and breathable and quite easy to handle and use. This lightweight cream colored batting washes and handles similar to the Dream Cotton but has the added feature of being made from Flame Retardant fibers. Safety can never be guaranteed, but we feel that Dream Angel is an excellent choice for children/baby quilts, teen and college quilts, nursing homes, Christmas tree skirts.

Want to see for yourself? Give us a call for a free sample. 888.268.8664



Happy Quilting!

~The Dream Team