The characteristics and benefits of polyester batting

This week I’m looking at some batting samples from Fairfield. I was sent 5 different batting samples and I’m looking at a variety of features and benefits of each batting.

Yesterday, I looked at 2 cotton batting samples from Fairfield. Today I’m focusing on the 3 polyester battings. Later in the week I’ll be comparing all the battings and discussing them and their preferred use.

I’m pleased to report that I didn’t have any issues with any of the polyester battings. As you can see below, the washed piece is pretty square to my 12″ ruler. The other 2 polyester batting samples were the same.

Polyester battings are preferred when you know a quilt will be “used and abused”. There’s no worry about polyester battings shrinking in the wash and quilters can be assured of long-lasting quilts despite many years of little [and big] kids dragging their blankie around with them.

Polyester battings will also drape nicely for great cuddles. It’s also the preferred choice for preventing creases when quilts are folded. Some quilters will use a double layer of batting, a cotton on the bottom for weight and stability and the polyester on top for texture and to reduce creasing.

Poly-Fit Project Fleece is a needlepunched batting. Needle punching is when thousands of little needles “felt” the fibers together. The advantage of needlepunching is that the fibers won’t migrate or pull apart in the completed project. Look carefully, there’s a definite right side and wrong side to a needlepunched batting.

Project Fleece is ideal for projects that need a bit of stability. So craft projects and garments lend themselves ideally to the use of Project Fleece. Project Fleece is also great in table runners, place mats and other project that require very little texture.

The Fairfield website has this information about Project Fleece

Poly-Fil® Project Fleece™, a low loft, needlepunched batting is a multi purpose insulating craft material perfect for quilt batting, garment liners and crafts. It will give your quilt a flat appearance and its felt-like texture makes it the perfect craft batting.

• Multipurpose insulating craft material
• Perfect for quilt batting, garment liners and crafts
• Recommended quilting distance: 2” – 4”
• 100% recycled polyester needlepunched batting
• Proudly made in the USA, unconditionally guaranteed

Poly-Fil Low-Loft batting is a very light, low loft batting. It’s 100% bonded polyester batting which means that fibers with different melting points are passed through a warmer and some of the fibers melt and fuse the rest together. The low loft batting is easy to hand stitch and is perfect for lightweight projects and baby quilts.

The Fairfield website has this information

Poly-Fil Low-Loft® quilt batting sets the standard for all other 100% bonded polyester battings. It is a favorite among machine and hand quilters. It will retain its loft wash after wash and dries quickly, making it ideal for lightweight quilts and baby quilts. Hand quilters love that it is the easiest batting to needle through and accentuates tiny hand stitches. Weight: 2 oz / sq yd

• Low loft
• 2 oz per square yard
• Quilting distance: 2″ – 4″
• Felt-like texture

The quilted sample remains soft and flexible.

Poly-Fil Extra-Loft is a bonded batting that’s quite thick with a loft of up to ½” thick. It’s the perfect batting to use when you really want to see texture.

The batting is easy to stitch through, although I recommend caution when stitching through this thicker batting. You may find that the fabrics will slide as the foot moves across the surface.

The Fairfield website has this information

Poly-Fil Extra-Loft® batting is a bonded polyester quilt batting with a  medium loft that creates a more pronounced relief when hand quilting, making it perfect for beginners. It has an even give in both directions and is appropriate for hand or machine quilting, Trapunto and tied quilts. Great for all quilting and crafting projects. Weight: 3.5 oz / sq yd

• Breathable – ideal for bed & baby quilts
• Easy to needle by hand or machine
• Recommended quilting distance: 2” – 4”
• Washable and non-allergenic
• Proudly made in the USA, unconditionally guaranteed

Join me tomorrow as I’ll look at loft and when to use it in your project.