How to Join Small Pieces of Batting Together to Make a Bigger Piece

A quilter in a discussion group asked what to do with small pieces of batting, and she expressed concern about wasting batting when her quilt was smaller than the batting, and she had pieces of batting left over.

This happens to every one of us. I used to have a big bag of leftover pieces. Like food, I was reluctant to throw leftover batting out, even though I had no idea what to do with it.

Then one day I read a tip from a quilter about how to sew small pieces of batting together to make one bigger piece. It's almost like a patchwork quilt inside your patchwork quilt!

Since that day, I always purchase queen or king size batting, cut pieces out of it the size I need, and then save the remaining pieces for future use.

If I have a quilt that is somewhat small, I will sew the smaller pieces of batting together. For large quilts (i.e., queen or king), I still like to use one piece of batting.

Handling a pieced batting can be kind of tricky. I piece the batting on top of the quilt backing just before I am ready to baste the quilt together. That way I am sure that the pieced batting won't get stretched or fall apart.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• batting
• thread
• needle
• scissors

1. 
   Line up 2 pieces of batting

   Line up two pieces of batting next to each other. The edges should be neatly trimmed.

2. 
   The sides of the batting should be touching each other

   Position the two pieces of batting exactly next to each other.

3. 
   Thread a long needle with thread that matches your batting.

   Thread a needle. I use a long needle, since I want to feed it into the batting and pull it out about 1" later. (You will see this below.)
   
   Also, I use a light color thread. I used blue thread for this example so you could see the stitches.

4. 
   Put your needle through one piece of batting and feed it through the other piece of batting.

   Make your first stitch by putting your needle through either the top or bottom of the batting. Then work in through the batting, over the cut edges of the batting and then through the other piece of batting.
   
   Hopefully you can have your stitches begin and end at least 1/2" from the edge of each piece of batting.

5. 
   Pull the thread through the batting; insert the needle above the first stitch

   Pull the stitch through the batting. Then cross the needle over the seam and insert it 1 1/2" to 2" directly above the first stitch.
   
   Notice in the picture how the needle goes through the center of the batting. This is easier on thick batting.

6. 
   Pull the needle through to complete your second stitch

   Pull the needle through the batting to complete your second stitch.
   
   Make sure that you leave a little slack in the stitches as you pull the thread through. The pieces of batting should lie flat against each other. If the stitches are too tight, you will have a little mountain or range of mountains in your seam. That will cause your quilt to be bumpy.

7. 
   Continue stitching until the two pieces are joined and you are ready to layer it in a quilt.

   Continue making stitches until both sides of the batting are completely sewn together.
   
   You can see by my example, that the beauty of the stitches is not so important (at least in my view). The idea is to loosely connect the two pieces of batting. Your quilting or tying will keep the batting in place inside your quilt.

Tips & Warnings

• make sure your stitches have a little slack so you don't create bulges in your batting
• in the example, I used dark thread, so you could see it. Use matching thread so it doesn't show through your quilt top or back

Resources

• Beginner Quilting Information

[craftylady12147]

on 8/19/2009 I had thought of doing this but wasn't sure it would work. I'm glad to see this is possible. Appreciate your clearly worded and photographed instructions. Excellent tips, too.

[Susanh]

on 6/29/2008 This really does work! This technique has saved me so many times when I realize I am short a few feet or inches, but have some scraps sitting around. Great instructional photos!