all about stuffing
Stuffing is what goes inside comforters, pillows, cushions, stuffed toys, and even lavender closet air fresheners. At first glance, everything is quite simple, leave a hole in your project to access the inside, fill in the filler, and then close the hole. However, for some projects there is a bit more. Here is some useful information on batting and fills.
There are 4 main types of batting, cotton, wool, polyester and blends.
batting bonded
Bonded batting has a light resin coating on both sides. This is to add strength and prevent the fibers from slipping out, heat-sealed fibers can also prevent this. Bonded batting can also appear fluffier and airier than other types, such as needle-punched batting, and doesn’t require a lot of padding to look good and stay in place. All of this makes it easier to use for quilting, both for hand-sewn and machine-sewn quilts.
needle punched batting
The fibers in the ‘needle punched batting’ are tangled together so they all hold together. To make this material, a blanket of fibers is passed through a punching machine called a ‘fiber locker’. This machine has barbed needle racks and hooks that vibrate up and down. The blanket is passed through these which traverse the blanket entangling the fibers as they go. This can also be used to create non-woven blankets. This method is used to create thinner layers of soft batting, which is best for quilted clothing and intricate quilts.
cotton padding
Cotton batting tends to be better for quilters. Aside from the ‘all natural’ label, cotton batting is thin and soft but heavier than polyester. Cotton also absorbs moisture well, allowing for a cooling effect in summer and a warm effect in winter. Thin layers also help quilters achieve intricate stitching. On the downside, cotton fibers can separate from each other and go through the fabric. Also, washing can cause the fibers to bunch up.
polyester wadding
Polyester wadding is generally cheaper than cotton. It can be classified as non-allergenic and also resists mold and mildew. Also, polyester fibers are stronger than cotton, so they can hold their shape much better.
To make the fill, the polyester fibers are carded into layers, then pressed into a blanket, in this form it is called “unbonded fill” and comes in many weights or thicknesses. Unfortunately the fibers can migrate, bunch up in some areas and go through the fabric (I think it’s called ‘rolling’). A solution to this may be to cover the batting with gauze/muslin before using it for quilting.
Filled with cotton blends
Cotton fibers are mixed with polyester to give the best of both worlds. The fibers are bonded for stability to prevent migration, yet retain the natural benefits of cotton, providing lightweight warmth in a batting that’s easy to handle and suitable for beginners.
wool batting
Wool batting is soft, drapes well, and works great with intricate quilts. It has the natural fiber qualities of cotton, although fiber migration may occur. As with polyester, it can be helpful to cover it with cheesecloth before use. Raw wool is washed to remove natural oils and dirt, protected against moths with chemicals, and then carded to form blanket layers.
fiber fill
This is the fluffy polyester material that the toys are stuffed with. This is the best stuffing option for children’s toys as it is non-allergenic and there is no chance of mold or mildew. Most of the products available are non-flammable and can be washed without crowding areas.
It is produced in a similar way to polyester wadding, the fibers are combed into a blanket (smock), but then cut into smaller pieces and bundled together.
Some tips for the filling:
- Do not crush the fiberfill before inserting it, try to put many fluffy layers inside to prevent it from looking clumpy.
- Before turning the work over, cut and notch the seam edge at the corners and remove excess fabric.
- When you try to close the opening, leave a small amount of fiberfill where you are sewing the seam and try to put it back in the gap later. (It can be a bit tricky to sew.)
- Use the manufactured pellets to add weight to toys, bird seed, rice and the like can get moldy and cause other problems, it is really worth using the manufactured products for that purpose.