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!

Unique Features of Each Loft of Quilters Dream

We frequently get calls from customers when placing orders that will say, “I would like to order the Dream Cotton in the pink label” or “what’s the one I always get that has the blue label?”  

These customers are simply referring to the loft/weight they prefer in a particular line of Quilters Dream Batting carried. In an previous blog-  A Good Foundation ,we explained the importance of choosing the right batting or foundation for your quilt. Now we will go into a little more detail as to why you may want to also consider which loft will be perfect for your special project!

Request™: Thinnest Loft- Blue Label

Lightweight and consistent, Request™ was developed especially for hand quilters who love this weight and rave that it is a ‘dream’ to quilt through. It is ideal for micro-stitching, and has an exceptional drape. Also very good for short arm machine quilting. The Request loft was not developed for use on longarm machines; however, many longarm quilters love the soft drapey effect and successfully use the Request™ by ‘floating the top'. Are you not sure what that means? Click here!

Perfect for: Warm climates, antique restorations, lightweight summer quilts, table runners and wearable’s.

Available in:  Dream Cotton (Natural/White), Dream Poly (White/Black), Dream Angel and Dream Fusion (Natural Cotton)

Hand Quilting: Recommend

Short Arm Machine: Recommend

Longarm Machine: Recommended (With floating the top)

Select ™: Mid Loft- Pink label 
(with a few exceptions)

Our most popular loft, Select™ is versatile as it is great for hand quilting as well as long and short arm machine quilting. Wonderful mid-weight imparts a very nice definition to your quilting while keeping a soft, lovely drape.

Perfect for:  All quilted projects, especially medium weight quilts, wearables and wall hangings.

Available in: Dream Cotton (Natural/ White), Dream Poly (White/Black), Dream Angel, Dream Fusion (Natural Cotton/ Poly White), Dream Blend, Dream Green, Dream Orient

Hand Quilting: Recommend

(Except for Blend, Poly Fusion & Cotton Fusion)

Short Arm Machine: Recommend

Longarm Machine: Recommend

 Deluxe™: High Loft- Purple Label

A wonderful heavy yet drapeable batt. Provides extra warmth and volume offering extra emphasis to your quilting.

Perfect for: Show quilts, wall hangings, cold climate quilts, bags, and craft projects.

Available in: Dream Cotton (Natural/White), Dream Poly (White)

Hand Quilting: NOT Recommended

Short Arm Machine: Recommend

Longarm Machine: Recommend

Supreme™: Highest Loft- Yellow Label

This hefty dense batt has a full ½ pound of cotton per square yard! Used by machine quilters for show quilts and special projects requiring thickness, weight & volume.

Perfect for: Kitchen crafts, ironing boards cover, craft projects, or extra warm heavy quilts.

Available in: Dream Cotton

Hand Quilting: NOT Recommended

Short Arm Machine: Recommend

Longarm Machine: Recommend

Dream Wool™: Blue label with the little sheep

A light airy batting of approximately ¼ + inch of loft that flattens down nicely while hand or machine quilting. Although light weight, Dream Wool imparts excellent definition to your stitches.  The curly wool fibers will give extra texture to beautifully accentuate your quilting designs while remaining soft and cozy. Resistant to creases and folds.

Perfect for: Heirloom quilts, show quilts, stitch definition - very functional for all seasons.

 Hand Quilting: Recommend

Short Arm Machine: Recommend

Longarm Machine: Recommend

Dream Puff™: Blue label with the little ducks

Dream Puff is light as a feather yet 1.5 times warmer than down and 2 times warmer than most high loft polyesters. 1/3+ inch loft imparts volume and definition, yet is very soft and drapeable. For those special 'puffy' quilts, Puff will layer easily for sumptuous loft. We have heard from many quilters who love to layer the Dream Puff™ with Dream Poly Select™ for extra warmth, volume, and definition.

Perfect for: Trapunto, wearables, t-shirt quilts, & light lofty quilts.

Hand Quilting: Recommend

Short Arm Machine: Recommend

Longarm Machine: Recommend

That was a lot to take in...we know. Keep in mind our staff is ready to answer any of your questions or provide you with samples.

Happy Quilting!
~The Dream Team
Unique Features of Batting - PDF

Have you heard about Fusion

We have something new for you to stick to!

We have taken our Dream Cotton and Dream Poly and 'infused' them with soft fusible fibers. Our unique process of needle punching to one side of the batting allows us to maintain the consistency, softness, and drape-ability of the Dream Cotton and Dream Poly with the added benefit of fusible webbing.
Dream Fusion is a wonderfully convenient option for combining the qualities of Quilters Dream Batting while eliminating the need for pinning and basting. Can be used on quilts, tablerunners or place of interfacing for handbags and small craft projects.

Look Ma', no basting!

Unruly seams? Use Quilters Dream Fusion to lock those seams in place! No need to re-iron your seams time and time again.

Too many seams!

Locked and loaded!

It is so easy.... Simply place the fusible side (a little bit more texture and shine than top side) against the back side of your fabric (back side to back side)...

Set your iron based on your fabric... with Wool or cotton setting being the best for quicker fusing. Slowly iron the fabric (not the batting) from the center out - keeping heat and light pressure slowly moving in each area for a few seconds.... then allow to cool....

Be careful not to get your iron on the fusible webbing. If you do, swipe your iron across a used dryer sheet to remove any residue.
Then quilt, sew, embroidery or let your imagination run wild!

Once quilted, Dream Fusion batting is machine washable and machine dry (cool settings suggested) and may be dry cleaned.


Dream Fusion is solvent-free it's use is environmentally friendly. ...and your hand, short-arm or longarm needles will not 'gum up' while using Dream Fusion.

Call us for a free sample 888-268-8664.

Happy Quilting!
~The Dream Team

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

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

Batting made from recycled bottles??!!

 Have you heard of Quilters Dream Green batting?  If not, you won’t believe that is being made from plastic bottles!  Dream Green batting is soft, cozy, and cuddly and is 100% made from recycled bottles – which is why it has such an unusual green color (there must be a lot of Mt. Dew drinkers out there).  You wouldn’t think anything this soft could come from those stiff plastic bottles, but it is true!

 

The plastic bottles are washed and cut into chips, then melted and extruded into fine denier poly microfibers.  Other than the color, these fibers are indistinguishable from virgin polyester fibers.  It is wonderful any time we have the opportunity to recycle and reuse plastic, and this use is just amazing.  Each pound of Dream Green rescues 10 bottles that could be added to the landfills.

 

But why would someone want to use polyester batting?  Dream Green and Dream Poly battings are not the same polyester as you may remember from years ago – the new microfibers mimic the cotton fibers in being breathable, soft and drapeable.  The fibers are so fine that they bend when coming in contact with the fabrics so, like cotton fibers, they also resist bearding.  There is no scrim, glues, or binders that cause resistance to the needle, and the fibers are long enough to provide enough structure for easy machine quilting.

 




Gidget lounging in the Dream Green fibers before it is processed!

Dream Green and Dream Poly battings are becoming more popular with modern quilters for a number of reasons:

·         The poly fibers do not hold moisture so it washes and dries very quickly in the machine or on the line

·         There is no shrinkage, so the quilt will have the same look after washing a hundred times as it did when it was first quilted

·         Dream Poly and Dream Green do not hold a crease – fold and store the quilt (or ship it to a show) and shake it out flat with no worries of fold lines or wrinkles.

·         The fibers are needle-punched so you get the right amount of loft – not too puffy and just lofty enough to show off the stitches

 

Give the friendly “Dream Team” at Quilters Dream Batting a call (888-268-8664) or email quiltersdreambatting@juno.comfor a free sample square of the Dream Green, and a mini sample of all the lovely battings made by Quilters Dream!  (We’ve stocked up on samples so there are plenty to go around!)

 

Happy Quilting!

 ~The Dream Team

 

 

Quilting in High Cotton

I will never understand why people keep looking for alternative natural fibers for quilting - you can’t get much more environmentally friendly than cotton.  Cotton is a renewable resource that has stood the test of time – cotton fabrics have been found in ancient tombs that are thousands of years old.  Not only is cotton an eco-friendly fiber, but the cotton used in Dream Cotton is grown and processed in the U.S.A.!

Did you know:

·       Colonists wore “homespun cotton” as a symbol of American independence.

·       George Washington indicated that homespun cotton was the only clothing “fashionable for a gentleman to appear in.”

·       In the late 1700’s, British law prohibited emigration of persons familiar with textile machinery into the United States.

·       Cotton helped speed communications by providing insulation for the telegraph invented by Samuel Morse.

·       Thomas Edison used charred cotton for the filament in the first electric light.

·       The Wright Brothers used cotton muslin to cover the wings on their first plane.

·       In WWI, cotton linter (cottonseed residue) was used to make smokeless gun powder.

·       Cotton provided biological isolation suits for astronauts on their return from the moon.

·       Today, more than 300,000 Americans are employed in the cotton industry.

Dream Cotton is light-weight, wonderful for hand and machine quilting, drapes beautifully, and is very consistent.  We use the highest grade fibers in the industry, which means only the longest fibers are used.  This is important because longer fibers mean less shrinkage, less bearding, and virtually no lint on the machine.  The longer the fibers are, the more places the fibers will intersect, making the batting so strong that you can stitch up to 8 inches apart. 

So support our farmers, support our environment, support your local quilt shop, and let Dream Cotton support your quilt!

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

A Good Foundation

I could talk all day about batting, and if you have called Quilters Dream Batting with a question, you might already know this.  I just got off the phone with a customer who was trying to decide which batting to choose, and it was quite a discussion.  The choice of which batting to use is pretty darn important, as the batting is the foundation of your quilt.  And since there are so many batts to choose from, it is best if you can make an informed decision.  Batting has come a long way, baby!  Here are some things to consider when making this critical decision:

·       Dream Cotton Batting – Dream Cotton continues to be the most popular batting of all! Dream Cotton is incredibly drapeable, beautifully soft, 100% natural, and quilts like butter! Available in four lofts, Dream Cotton is exceptional for all your quilting needs. Because of the natural, traditional fiber, Dream Cotton is recommended by the Restoration Society, but it is also great for today's modern quilts. We use a very high grade of USA cotton and the longest fibers in the industry. This is important because longer fibers mean minimal shrinkage, less bearding, and virtually no lint on your machine. The longer the fibers, the more places the fibers will intersect, making the batting so strong that you can stitch up to 8 inches apart! With our unique processing using no scrim, glues or binders, Quilters Dream Cotton remains soft, huggable, and beautifully drapey.  Choose Request weight for hand quilting, Select for hand or machine quilting, Deluxe for machine quilting a heavy quilt, Supreme for machine quilting a very heavy quilt or craft projects.

·       Dream Poly Batting -  Available in Request, Select, and Deluxe weights, Dream Poly is made 100% from polyester microfibers. The poly microfibers mimic the cotton so you get the same look and feel of the cotton.  However, it has the benefit of no shrinkage, so it is perfect if you want to keep that “just quilted” look, even after multiple washings.  Dream Poly does not hold a crease, so you can fold it and store it (or ship it to a show) and not worry about lines or wrinkles when you take it out.  The request and select lofts are light, breathable, and drape beautifully.  The high loft, deluxe, is perfect for wall hangings that you want to lay flat without curling corners, and will shows off your stitches wonderfully.

·       Dream Blend for Machines – Note here that this batting is “for machines” – it has a light scrim, so you won’t want to hand quilt this batting.  However, because of the scrim, it is very easy to handle and work with, so it has become an all time favorite for the long arm machine quilters.  You can tug it into place without worrying about stretching or leaving hand prints.  It is slightly heavier than the cotton or poly, but the scrim is so light that it still has a very nice drape.

·       Dream Angel – If you are concerned about flame retardancy for your quilt, this is the batting for you, and as a bonus, this batting is wonderfully soft and drapey!  Unlike most flame retardant products, this batting was NOT chemically dipped or treated – the batting fibers were specially engineered to be flame retardant.  The fibers are inherently flame retardant so the flame retardant quality will never wash off.  An excellent choice for baby quilts, dorm quilts, nursing home quilts, etc. (It is available in both Request and Select loft)

·       Dream Wool – This is a very soft wool that is very breathable and light weight with a nice loft of about 1/3 - 1/2” to emphasize the stitches (or hide those slight piecing imperfections).  It is thermally bonded, so can be machine washed and dried (on cool settings) without much shrinkage at all. More and more people are telling me that this is their favorite, both for hand or machine quilting; they’ve convinced me – I’m going to give it a try on my next quilt.

·       Dream Puff – This is another batting with a very nice 1/3-1/2" loft - just enough for a slightly "puffy" quilt.  It is made 100% from poly microfibers, and, like the Dream Wool, it is thermally bonded to hold the loft without being scratchy or stiff. It is soft, breathable, and very affordable.  Dream Puff is a great all around snuggly modern style batting for quilts. Layer the Dream Puff with a Dream Cotton for a perfect  faux trapunto - the cotton will shrink slightly when washed making the Dream Puff really "pop"!

·       Dream Green – Could a batting from recycled bottles be soft and snuggly?  I was skeptical, but Dream Green proved me wrong.  This batting is exactly the same as Dream Poly select, with the exception that the fibers were once soda bottles, and it has a green tint of color!  If you are eco-conscious and going green, this is the batting for you - each pound of Dream Green batting rescues 10 bottles from our landfills.  You won't believe anything this soft, cozy, and breathable could come from recycled bottles, but it is true!

·       Dream Orient – This is the softest and silkiest batting available.  It is made from a blend of silk, bamboo, cotton, and botanic tencel that is simply scrumptious to work with.  Your finished quilt will absolutely hug you.  Beware – this batting is highly addictive!  
 

Okay, now you have an overview – if you need more info, please check out our website:  www.QuiltersDreamBatting.com