Here some ways to make your own quilt batting out of recycled These tips are from our ThriftyFun community. Post your own ideas below.
Flannel Instead Of Batting
I never use batting. Every time I do and then wash the quilt it just falls away from the quilting and bunches up in balls all over the quilt. I use layers of flannel.
By Allison
No Batting Quilts
I've made several "summer" quilts after seeing an antique one in a quilt shop. No batting at all, just the top and backing. Works best with a foundation pieced (on fabric) top and is just right for cooler summer nights on the porch swing.
By duckmom
Gut Sleeping Bags And Comforters
I have successfully used the guts of an old sleeping bag and an old comforter for batting. The stitching is easily removed and you can cut off the zippers (on sleeping bags) for possible reuse. Often comforter made for children are of cheap, nasty fabric that pills and fades instantly but the batting is polyester and fine. Kids probably have such items at home that they could bring in for a school project.
By teaysvalleygirl
Old Comforters
I have made several quilts by covering up stained or dated comforters that are still in good condition. I just made the quilt like a big pillowcase, sewed up the end and tacked it down in several places.
Deanna
Blankets And Other Fabric
I have known quilters that have re-used the following for batting. I don't know how well they worked but I can't imagine them not working.
- Old blankets (wool, stained, hole-y, faded)
- Old sheets (for use in thin summer blankets)
- Fabric remnants (just look for same fabric content and fabric weight and lightly sew together to get the size you need.)
The good thing about using 'old' stuff is that it has probably been washed many times. It shouldn't shrink any more and your hand quilting (if you do that) should not pucker. As long as the outer has been pre-shrunk also.
By Rosalie
Cotton Blankets
Old cotton blankets are good batting for quilts. Mom used them in nearly all quilts she made, they laundered easily.
By Betty
Old Mattress Pads
Old mattress pads work well as quilt batting.
By Jewels955
By
05/04/2008
MY 1ST MOTHER IN LAW AND HER MAMA WAS THE ONES THAT TAUGHT ME TO QUILT, GOD REST THEIR SOULS. AND THEY ALWAYS USED OLD BLANKETS. AND THOSE QUILTS WERE SO WARM AND COZY!! I AM A MEMBER OF OUR FREECYCLE GROUP HERE AND WHEN SOMEONE GIVES AWAY BLANKETS, OR I SEE SOME FOR A REASONABLE PRICE AT A GARAGE SALE, I LATCH ON TO IT, COS YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHEN SOMEONE WILL NEED A BLANKET OR TWO, OR THAT I WANT TO HAVE THEM FOR USE IN QUILTS!!
By
05/04/2008
By
03/30/2007
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