Are you looking for a way to use all those scraps of batting you have laying around, but can't seem to throw away? Well yesterday I pieced a couple scraps of batting for a quilt I have in the works (along with the millions of other projects I have).
First, you will want to make sure your pieces are the same size (cut them if need be), but also make sure that the finished piece will be large enough for your quilt. You will then want to line up the two straightest sides together (I recommend using the sides that were factory cut). I don't sew together more than two pieces, although it is your own prerogative.
I couldn't get a better picture than this, but you can see that I made large whip-stitches to join the two straight edges. **I've heard to use hand quilting thread, but I've found that machine quilting thread works just as well**. I used contrasting thread at the end to show the stitches a little better, but you should use thread that blends in well with the batting.
This particular piece (60" square) took me about an hour, which isn't too bad in the grand scheme of things. I've also heard you can piece batting with a sewing machine, using the zig-zag stitch. But, I like hand-stitching things, so I prefer this method.
I started piecing batting because the batting I use has increased to almost $11 a yard (sad-face). So, I need to get every penny I can out of every square inch of batting I buy.
Have any of you pieced batting? Either hand-stitched or machine?
**Hand quilting thread and machine quilting thread - The difference between the two is that hand quilting thread has a resin on it to help the thread move through the fabrics by hand much easier. Hand quilting thread should NEVER be put on the sewing machine to sew with the machine, as the resin will come off the thread and clog your machine.**
