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

To Stash or Not to Stash....is that the question?

By Juanita K Bard   
(With apologies to Shakespeare's HAMLET)
 

To stash or not to stash...is that the question?

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous mis-organization

Or to take arms against a sea of clutter
And by opposing end it? To organize?
To give away? To sew not more?

Nay...To sew I must..perchance a new patchwork
Or try a new paper piece pattern
For who can bear the whips and scorns of
The ever present 1/2 price sale ads
That makes a calamity of our credit cards..

To file or not to file my patterns
To group by pastels and darks
And by organization to say we end
The heartache of rummaging around
For just that right piece of fabric

That our sewing is heir to, 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd..to organize,
To conceal in boxes...and boxes galore
In plastic containers that overflow on the floor
To organize, perchance to achieve it....ay, there's the rub;

For in that great organization of fabric what dreams may come
When we have shuffled off this mortal unorganization
Must give us pause there's the respect
That makes calamity of so organized a sewing room;
For who can bear to whittle down her Stash...

The pangs of that separation of fabric
To grunt and sweat under the strain
Of not seeing forever the beloved Stash...
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover'd boxes...from who boundary

No traveler returns, puzzles the will
And make us rather think we have
To give to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make swappers of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution

Gives way to the pale thought and enterprises
Of that great moment with this regard
To our current Stash...Organize...give away!!!!
And lose the name of clutter... Soft you now!
Oh, fair quilters... in they orisons
Be all my Stash remember'd.....
 

 Quilter: Cindy Richard
Website: cindyrquilts.com

 

 

Dream Wool - It's B'ewe'tiful!

Have you been searching for a type of batting that will give your quilt more definition than usual? Our Dream Wool may be just what you are looking for! Dream Wool will show off your stitches beautifully – your designs will pop and your quilt will be extra snuggly, without it turning into a "comforter".

I don’t know about you, but when I think of wool, I think of my grandmother’s wool jacket from the 1950’s that my 16 year old daughter now owns - it is scratchy, heavy, bulky, and beautiful, but not what you would want for a quilt batting. Quilters Dream Wool has about 1/3 – ½ inch of loft, but it is very light weight, soft, breathable, and machine washable. Certainly not at all what I think of when I hear wool!

The type of sheep used makes a huge difference in the softness of the wool. Quilters Dream uses a high quality USA Merino and Domestic wool from the U.S.A. that is scoured, combed, and super washed into pure loveliness. The fibers are then carded and crosslapped for consistency, then thermally bonded for strength and durability.

Thermal bonding is a process of producing batting made by combining the main fiber, wool, with a low-melt poly fiber and then sending the fibers through an oven. The low-melt poly fibers melt and adhere to the wool fibers holding them securely in place. Because wool fibers are barbed, they are notorious for shrinking, bearding, shifting, and causing all sorts of other problems. (The fibers catch on each other, and when handled or washed they catch tighter and tighter until you have a lump of wool) The thermal bonding process used in Dream Wool secures the wool fibers firmly in place so there is very little shrinkage ( ½ a percent) and no bunching or shifting, while keeping the batting soft and breathable. It also holds the fibers apart so that the batting is easy to wash and air dries quickly.

Dream Wool can be hand quilted too. Even with the extra loft, when basted, your quilt sandwich will be flat enough to get the rocking motion needed for hand quilting. And because there is no scrim or glue used as a stabilizer, the needle goes right through without resistance. It is also stable enough to be easily machine quilted either with the domestic machine or on the long arm.

You can stitch up to 8 inches apart, so your quilt will not have to be “quilted to death.” If you desire the faux-trapunto look, quilt heavily where you want a flatter look, and more openly in the areas you want to pop – just look at Terri Stegmiller’s Green & Pink quilt! It is a stunning example of the faux-trapunto look.



Do take into consideration the heat when using Dream Wool – it cannot be ironed or dried on high heat, or the fibers can become stiff and the batting flat, so be sure and air dry your quilt when using Dream Wool!

Call us today and we will be delighted to send a free sample square of Dream Wool for you to feel. Then let me know if you love Dream Wool as much as I do!

Happy Quilting!

~The Dream Team

Fabric Postcards for ALS research

Fabric postcards for the Hopes and Dreams for a Cure art and quilt exhibit are starting to come in! In our last blog we shared exciting news that a Virginia Beach, Virginia art gallery will feature the Hopes and Dreams quilts and fabric postcards sent in from all over the United States to benefit those living with ALS and raise funds for research. We are hoping to have a wonderful selection of fabric postcards to sell at the exhibit. 100% of sales from quilts and fabric postcards, and a portion of art and jewelry sales will go toward ALS research.

Month-long Celebration of Moms!

We have some exciting news to share with you, and while it is quick notice, we think you might want to participate.  The Hopes & Dreams for a Cure for ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/ Lou Gehrig’s Disease), has been given the opportunity to have a month-long Celebration of Moms and the special women in our lives beginning the first weekend in May – just in time for Mother’s Day .

The Richard Stravitz 30^th Street Gallery on Pacific Avenue in Virginia Beach, VA, will be hosting an event that features quilts sent in from all over the United States to benefit those living with ALS, as well as raise much needed funds for ALS Research. The Hopes & Dreams for a Cure for ALS art and quilt exhibit opens Saturday, May 4, will be open Mother's Day, Sunday, May 12 and runs through Saturday, June 1st.

 In addition to the quilts, there will be artwork capturing the loving essence of women in the form of oil paintings, watercolors and inks, jewelry, mixed media, hand blown glass and bronzed sculptures.