How to Piece Together Batting for a Quilt | Tips for Joining Batting Strips

Piecing Batting Together for Your Quilt – Everything You Need to Know

When starting a quilt, one of the biggest questions many quilters have is how to piece their batting together. As any quilter knows, batting is the inner layer that provides warmth, padding, and a unified backing for your quilt top stitchery. Piecing batting can seem daunting at first, but with the right techniques, it’s totally doable. In this guide, I’ll cover all the basics of piecing batting so your next quilt will be super cozy and comfortable.

Choosing the Right Batting

The first step is selecting batting that will work well for piecing. From my experience, cotton or bamboo battings are the easiest to piece. They have a tighter weave which helps them stick together nicely when you join sections. Polyester battings can work too, but they’re a bit slippery so the seams may separate more easily over time. I’d avoid loose battings like wool or silk which aren’t as good for construction. Go with a denser woven batting for best results.

Cutting the Batting

Once you’ve chosen your batting, start cutting it into strips. Most quilt tops will require 4-5 pieces of batting pieced together into one continuous layer. Measure your quilt top first, then add 6-12 inches of extra batting on each side for seam allowances. Mark the measurements onto the batting and cut using a rotary cutter and quilter’s ruler. Try to cut strips that are 12-18 inches wide – not too narrow or it gets fiddly, but not too wide that it’s hard to handle.

Preparing the Edges

The next key is prepping the raw edges of the batting strips. I’ve faced situations where I skipped this step and it made piecing a real headache. To finish the edges, simply fold under 1/4 inch of batting all around and press or fuse in place using a hot iron. This encloses the fluffy fibers so the strips join smoothly without fraying or shifting. You can also use quilt basting spray which acts like a fabric glue for this job.

Piecing Techniques

Now you’re ready to start piecing the batting layers together. Here are a few effective techniques:

1. Machine basting: Set your machine to its longest basting stitch and sew down the length of the overlapping batting edges to tack them in place. Go slowly and keep the layers aligned. Remove the basting later before quilting.

2. Hand basting: For smaller projects, pin then whipstitch the batting seams using cotton thread. Handwork allows you to really burrow the thread in to hold the layers perfectly flush.

3. Fusible web piecing: For quick no-sew options, fuse adjoining edges with low-melt fusible web. Press to bond and trim any excess for an almost invisible joint.

   

Tips for Neat Seams

When piecing, a few tricks can help things go smoothly:

• Use clothespins or quilter’s clips to pinch the layers together as you stitch.
• Go slowly to ensure the batting doesn’t shift or pucker at the seams.
• Frequently lift the presser foot and check your seam alignment from the back.
• Trim any stray batting fibers to neaten finished raw edges.
• Layer batting pieces so the “fluffier” side faces upwards for an even thickness.

With some practice, piecing batting will become second nature. Here’s a real-life case – my friend’s twin sized quilt required four cotton batting strips joined with machine basting. Despite a few dodgy curves, the final pieced layer was perfectly plump and cozy for her daughter.

Alternatives to Piecing

If piecing still seems daunting, some quilters prefer alternatives like:

• Using a single layer of batting wide enough to fit the whole quilt top
• Piece-patching squares of batting into a larger backing piece for ease of handling
• Purchasing a pre-pieced “quilter’s batting pack” with sections already joined

There are various ways to skin the proverbial batting-piecing cat! Experiment to see what works best for your skills and needs. At the end of the day, as long as your batting is flat and uniform under the quilt layers, you’ve succeeded.

Final Prep Before Quilting

After piecing, the last step before quilting is to baste or pin the batting to the quilt top. This keeps everything smooth and wrinkle-free through the quilting process. Then you’re officially ready to sew your masterpiece together and cozy up with your handmade quilt! Don’t be afraid to reach out if you have any other quilting questions. Wishing you batting bliss as you piece your next project.

Tips for Choosing Batting Pieces for Your Quilt

FAQ

1. Basically, can you piece batting together for a quilt?

   Yeah sort of, it’s totally possible to piece batting together for a quilt. Sometimes batting comes in pieces or you may need to cut it to fit your quilt top. As long as you overlap the pieces by a few inches and baste them together real well, it’ll work just fine. My grandma used to do it all the time when money was tight. Gotta get creative!

2. Won’t the seams show through the quilt layers?

   It’s possible the seams could slightly show, but you can minimize that. Basically overlap the batting pieces a good bit, like 3 inches or so. Then baste really well so it lays flat. When you quilt it, focus your stitches on the seamed areas to flatten them out. A thin batting may show less. Or you could FMQ right over the seams. With some care it works – my last quilt had one pieced batting and you can’t tell!

3. Are there any tricks for piecing batting?

   A few things help when piecing batting. Cut your pieces with pinking shears to prevent fraying. Look for patterns in the batting so you can piece the designs together for a more invisible seam. Lay the pieces right sides together and use a long basting stitch to secure them well. Nevertheless, go slowly and make sure to smooth out any bumps as you sew. At the same time, don’t stress too much if it’s not perfect – the quilting will help disguise minor issues!

   

4. What if the batting pieces don’t match up nicely?

   Good question! Sometimes piecing batting can be kind of wonky since the material isn’t always completely even. If one piece is wider or longer it may not align perfectly. In that case, you have a few options. You can carefully trim one piece to match the other edge. Alternatively, you may have to overlap the pieces a little more in that spot. On the other hand, you can also just leave a small gap, but be sure to quilt extra densely over it. With some adjustment it’ll work out, so don’t sweat the small stuff.

5. Is piecing batting too much of a hassle?

   It’s true that piecing batting does take more effort than just using a single piece. You have to cut and seam the pieces whereas normal batting comes ready to use. However, if you get good at piecing techniques, it really doesn’t take too long once you find your rhythm. And it can save a bundle versus buying a larger piece of batting. I’d say try it on a small project first and see how you like it. If it works well for you it may be worth the slight hassle for the cost savings. Otherwise, a single piece of batting is simpler for sure!

6. Any other tips for working with pieced batting?

   A few last tips when piecing your batting – lay it out first so you can get an idea of how the pieces will fit together. This is handy for seeing if you need more pieces or where adjustments may be needed. Also baste with a color thread that’s not too close to your batting color, this will help the seams be more visible for quilting. Finally, it doesn’t hurt to reinforce the seams with a second row of basting, since batting moves around more than quilting cotton. Good luck, and let me know if any other questions come up!