I'm in the process of quilting the secretive Retreat challenge and I found some bamboo batting called Nature-Fil by Fairfield at Joanns that I thought I'd give a try. Perhaps its because I am trying to talk DH on to the bamboo bandwagon here at the house. I want bamboo floors. He wants carpeting but will concede to hardwood floors. I am not waffling, I want bamboo.
Normally I would hate to say that I was enticed to buy based on packaging, but in this case, I definitely was.
From the package:
"Unique and renewable, bamboo is one of a few fibers that are naturally antibacterial.... Often, sprays and chemicals manufacturers add to kill bacteria may cause allergies and skin conditions. Bamboo eliminates the need for these chemicals entirely....
Bamboo plants absorbs 2/3 more carbon dioxide and release 2/3 more oxygen than any other plant on earth."
Thus far, I am loving the way it quilts. I did see a downside in the method required to pre-shrink it, no quick spin in the washer and dryer for this batting. But since I normally like the antique look there will not be a huge problem with the 2 to 3% shrinkage. And although the quilting is fairly close on this particular quilt, bamboo batting can apparently be quilted up to 8" apart.
So, tell me Quilty bloggers, have you tried bamboo batting? How does it wash? What are your opinions?
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About Me
- Mary
- Bargersville, Indiana, United States
- I'm a 45 year old wife and mother. Quilting is my haven from the real world.
12 comments:
Mary, I'm TAGGING you! I hope you'll accept. You can come to my blog and read the rules. Have fun!
This batting sounds intriguing .... am curious to read more about this product.
I recently bought Fairfield's Nature-fil Bamboo batting at Joann's and I have to say I don't think I will ever quilt with another batting. It is the softest I have ever felt, and with all of the benefits that they claim on the package, including donating a portion of the proceeds to support environmental initiatives, I'm convinced it's all Bamboo for me.
While machine stitching my quilt layers, I found that the bamboo batt threads came through to the surface on my black quilt top. I am totally disappointed and will have to rip out the seams and purchase another batt. This one cost $35+. I want to write the manufacturer but I've discarded the package.
The Bamboo batting has quickly become my "best friend". Having always been a big fan of W&N - I've now switched to Bamboo - this is THE best batting for hand quilting I've ever ever tried - I very seriously doubt I'll ever use anything else again.
Try it....I know you'll love it.
I use this batting for historical reproductions. I belong to a group called the SCA. We recreate aspects of the 7th-17th centuries. I know that using bamboo for this may seem silly, but when you need to dress a fighter in numerous woolen padded layers for protection the benifits of bamboo become obvious.
It wicks away moisture, which helps to keep our fighters from overheating. It's antibacterial properties help keep them from smelling like fighters at the end of a long hot day. And it was easy to hand quilt.
I can't think of any reason to go back to cotton.
Can this batting be dried in the dryer once the quilt is finished? I am very interested in experimenting with it, but needs to be dryer safe. Would you say it is as warm as the Warm and Natural cotton batting?
I made a donation quilt with the batting from Joann's and it was AWFUL! It feels great but I had to take out the quilting 3 times and I used two different machines. The bobbin made terrible loops and it was an awful mess. I would definitely use it for a hand quilted project but it was awful for machine.
It is deliciously soft and has a nice drape, but I am handquilting with dark fabric, right now, and it comes right through, it is very linty, it's all over the dark fabric! very annoying.
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