My LQS is carrying the new Quilter's Dream Green batting. Have you seen it, or better yet, used it? I hadn't heard about it at all before now. There was a small sample attached to the display for feeling/touching/scrunching. It's softer than you would imagine considering that it's made 100% from recycled plastic bottles, but it is stiffer than cotton and lacks 'drape'. Being polyester there will be no shrinkage or wrinkling, either. Hmmm... I kinda like it when my quilts draw up a little after washing and get all cozy-like. It's hard to get cozy with plastic fibers. But on the other hand, this is a responsible, earth friendly, batting. I don't know if I could be convinced to steer away from my favorite, Quilter's Dream, though. I'm torn, a batting with a conscience is a good thing; but, then, cotton is a renewable resource too. I have switched from disposable plastic water bottles to the reusable type that I keep filled and chilled in my own refrigerator. I'm being environmentally aware in small ways, I guess I just wasn't ready for 'batting guilt'. Anyone want to weigh in on this one?Life is Good!
15 comments:
My vote - stick with natural fibers even though "they" say it doesn't matter so much. 3-4 seconds is a lot of time when you're about to cook!
I had to call my Dad and double check here (retired fireman) - definitely do not use polyesters for bedding - especially for babies.
I'm a quilt shop owner and received a sample of the Quilter's Green batting. I introduced it to the handquilting class I was teaching on Saturday. The major comment from that class was the color and what it would do your quilt especially if it were a light colored quilt.
Personally, I feel like I am sleeping under a plastic bag when I sleep under a quilt with a poly batt. Ugh. On water bottles: there is a mountain town in Colorado that has banned the used of bottled water in any of the city government meetings/buildings. After all, why spend money on bottled water and all the environmental consequences when the source of the water is right outside the door? The water they were purchasing is Aquafina that is bottled in Denver. They are now using tap water. I applaud them and you in the effort to be green.
Maybe you can use the recycled batting for wall hangings, postcards, etc., and save the cotton for cuddling in.
Will have to check it out when I get home,but I can't imagine wanting to use it in a bed quilt. Maybe in table runners or something like that , but will definitely make a decision when I can feel of it, doesn't sound too promising to me. Bobbin
Haven't seen this product yet, but will probably stick with the natural, renewable fibers I already use. I get all my drinking water from the tap, with a couple of cases of bottled water on hand in the 'earthquake kit.'
Wonder how it holds up under the heat of a dryer....
Hmmmmm mixed feelings, but the thought of *plastic* in my quilts just feels wrong :o/ --for now I will stay with Quilter's Dream for my own personal use in my quilting! I can be "green" in other areas!
I haven't seen it yet, but logically it sounds like a better fit for wallhangings and art quilts than bedding...I like the idea of making something usefull out of what would otherwise be thrown away - I'm a major recycling junkie - but I agree with the other comments about cotton being renewable and a better bedding choice. What I'd like to see is a bamboo batting...I've seen clothing made from it and it is amazingly soft!
I agree - would like to handle the bamboo batting. Hopefully one of the vendors at the Nashville AQS show will have samples on display. Haven't seen the Quilter's Green yet ~ I wonder about the dryer issue, too.
No guilt - just considered choices!
I'm a natural fiber girl. Let's face it, we go to great pains to keep to cotton for our quilts and what stick poly! lol Naw, not for this girl! My body doesn't like synthetics! Keep well!
Hummmmmmmm, I've never heard of the batting....I'll have to do more investigation but thanks for putting the word out.
I can't see how it would be much different from polar fleece fabrics -- many of which are already made from recycled bottles. As for whether to put it into a quilt? Um, maybe a wall hanging -- I do like my cotton ;0).
Being 'green builder's we were the first ones to use 'pop bottle' carpeting in all of Salem, Oregon... in a house 15 or 20 years ago. It was stiff enough to scrape your calluses off with. We've watched it get softer and softer over the years. Now, it's almost as soft as regular carpeting. Let's hope that green batting has a similar evolution. Natural fibers are wonderful but our world is still filling up with plastics, pampers and non-degrading materials(takes 30 years to 'decompose'.) Let's hope the answer and new solutions become easier soon!
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