When quilting your quilt, what is the maximum area of your quilt that you can leave untouched.
For example can you leave 2" square not stitched or is it more or less? I hope this makes sense the way I've worded it. Thanks for your help1
ANSWER:
This is a very good question. To answer specifically, we need to know the type of quilt batting you are using.
Battings are not created equal. Some are needle punched, some have scrims, some are very loose. Add to that they can be made of cotton, wool, polyester, silk, bamboo, corn...or in combination with each other.
The maximum distance between the lines of stitching is printed on packaged batts. I went to my batting "stash" and these are the recommendations made by the manufacturers:
Type of Batting
Quilting Instructions Printed on the Packaged Batt
Quilter's Dream Cotton Select 100% Cotton
Stitching may be up to 8" apart. Stitch as closely as needed and your quilt will remain soft and flexible. Closer stitching gives more of the "antique-puckered" look.
Hobbs Heirloom Premium Premium 100% Wool
Heirloom Wool can be quilted up to 3" apart.
Mountain Mist Fatt Batt 100% Polyester
Especially designed for tied comforters. For best results quilt or tie no farther than 3" intervals.
Mountain Mist Blue Ribbon All Cotton Batting 100% Cotton
100% Bleached Cotton Batting presents an old-fashioned antique appearance to quiltmaking. To preserve the tradition of 100% Cotton Quilting and to enhance the finished project, we recommend quilting at 1-1/2" to 2" intervals. NOT FOR USE IN TIED QUILTS OR COMFORTERS.
Warm and Natural Needled Cotton Batting Almost 100% cotton batting, the scrim is polyester Needle punched, no glues or resins used
Quilt or tie up to 10" apart
While this is not an all-inclusive list, quilting lines 2" apart should be adequate.
Julie Baird Editor
P.S. While batting manufacturers recommend quilting distances of up to 8" to 10", if your quilt will be washed or heavily used, do consider adding more quilting stitches than that. The closer the quilting lines are to each other, the less stress there is on each individual stitch. Your quilting will last longer as a result.
