Scrappy batting

/ quiltinggail

Do you have lots of batting scraps?  I do.
IMG_1049And when I attempted to sew them together, even when I pin – the joining sides end up looking like this the picture to the right.

GROAN!!!

This does not make a nice batting for sandwiching a quilt.  And the last thing I want to do is unstitch batting!  Sew, it’s useless and only good for dusting and cleaning.  (NOT going to happen!)

Then, one day, I thought, “I wonder what will happen if I use my trusty Elmer’s School Glue to glue the edges together before I attempt to sew?”

I tried it.  It worked!

 

Here’s my process:  I only use scraps that are the same kind.   In this case, the scraps are all “Warm and Natural.”   First, I put a flannel sheet on top of the guest bed. Then I lay out my batting (first picture). I bead my glue along the edge, press it together.  Wait a few hours and it’ll be dry.  If I’m in a hurry, I would press it with my iron.  Then I zig-zag the edges together, using the widest and longest stitch that my machine will do.  Do not sew while the glue is still wet.

I am thrifty … I dilute my glue with an equal amount of water.  It works just fine!  But I make sure to mark the container so that I know if it’s been diluted or not.  I use Elmer’s Glue.  I figure, if it’s safe to eat, it’s safe to use in a quilt.  (No, I do not eat glue!)

Here’s a picture of some of the batting sewn together.  This will be the batting for the scrappy quilt I showed earlier in the week.IMG_1053

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Happy Quilting
Gail

 

 

15 thoughts on “Scrappy batting”

  1. Great idea! Love that you use glue to help. Many people are using the water soluble glue to really help with quilting tasks, like binding. I can add this to the list of techniques.

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    • Hi Kathleen, I LOVE using glue. I will use it to temporarily “baste” appliqué in place, bindings, and joining batting. Also, for small projects, I’ve used a highly diluted mixture to “Paint” on batting, then iron the top on, flip over and repeat on the back. Way cheaper than using a spray basting!

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  2. Hi Gail,
    What a great tip to share – thank you! I can see the importance of making sure they are the same type of batting. I’ll keep this in mind next time I join them. ~smile~ Roseanne

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    • You’re lucky, Connie! I used to do that … but now it seems like all I get is horrid puckers. Could be because I’m joining a LOT of batting these days. 2 totes are now down to 1 tote and I can even get the lid on now!

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  4. Very creative idea Gail. As they say – when there’s a will, there’s a way.
    I’ve never had issues joining batting, even the long pieces but if I do, now I’ve got this idea to add to my toolbox. Thanks!
    I save my scraps for smaller projects like table runners, zipper bags, and placemats. Now that I’m gearing up for christmas gift-making I’ll get to clear out my batting stash 🙂

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    • I used to use scraps for smaller projects – but I’ve just got too many and lots of quilts to quilt – so I’m using up my scraps. There are many large hunks, but sometimes that 8″ piece cut from the edge of another quilt is just what’s needed to make the batting fit!

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