The 3-B's... Batting, Backing and Binding... Batting choices depend on how you want your finished quilt to look, how it will be used, and where it will be used.
Cotton is the most traditional batting. The batting will shrink slightly when washed. This gives the finished quilt an old fashioned or vintage look. Cotton quilts tend to weigh more, especially if a higher loft batting is used. And, cotton will take longer to dry after washing.
100% Polyester has come a long way from the "steel wool cotton candy" battings of the 70's and 80's. Poly battings are now soft and available in many lofts. They remain soft after quilting, and the quilting can be further apart with no concerns about migration. Poly makes a lighter weight quilt and is quicker to dry. I consider this a plus in children’s quilts where frequent washing is a very real possibility. The finished quilt will also remain flat since the batting does not shrink.
Backing fabrics can be anything from traditional muslin, regular quilting cottons, even pieced backings that give added interest to the quilt.
Several binding options are available. I can prepare the quilt for you to bind, the binding can be sewn on for you to finish by hand, or I have an arrangement with a local quilt maker who does very nice machine stitched bindings. For a reasonable fee she will make and attach your binding from your supplied fabric. All the corners are mitered and sewn down.
Batting..
Warm & Natural 100% cotton and Quilter's Dream Select polyester are in stock and available by the yard. All other Quilter's Dream products are available by special order.
Specialty battings are available. These include light and fluffy 100% wool and a flame resistant Dream Angel perfect for baby quilts. Please ask about the availablity of exotic luxury battings containing silk or cashmere.
Backing can be one piece or pieced. We stock wide backings by the yard in white and natural muslin. Other fabrics are available and the assortment varies. We are also a dealer for SewBatik wide batik backings. These lucious fabrics add extra interest to your quilt and at 104" wide require no piecing.
If you are sending backing with your top, please be sure the backing is 4-6 inches larger in all directions than the top. Seams should be pressed open and the backing fabric should be squared up and selveges removed.
Great places for fabric:
Wide Batik Backing Fabric:
I am a member of the Sew Batik Long Arm Program. These wonderful fabrics are only availabe online and through LAP representatives. If you order through their website, please enter LAP-1025 in the coupon or comments field on your order. www.sewbatik.com
Great Fabric at Great Prices:
At The Thrifty Needle every day is a Sale Day! Wide backings, the hottest new collections, jelly rolls, charm packs and More. You will never buy at retail again! www.TheThriftyNeedle.com
Binding...
I can trim your quilt for you to bind, or if you would like to simply open the box and have a finished quilt, allow me to bind it for you.
I offer two styles of binding... Machine stitched and hand finished. The machine stitched is applied and sewn down by machine. The stitching is very even, but can be seen on the front and back of the quilt. This is a very durable finish for your quilt. The service is provided by a local quiltmaker and her prices are posted.
The second style is a French double binding. The folded binding is attached to the front of the quilt, brought to the back and stitched down by hand. Pricing is 15 cents per inch of the quilt's perimeter.
