Advice needed on quilting

LondonGranny, just seen the embroidered quilt story, very heartwarming.
Since starting this thread I have now finished my quilt, in fact two of them. One for youngest GS and one for his older brother for Christmas. They're not perfect but I'm pleased with them and I really really enjoyed making them. I can't wait to make another one now! DH is getting worried that I'm adding yet another craft (and more fabric and clutter) to our lives. Thank you all for helping me dip my toe in the world of quilting.

I've just seen this.... how lovely.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-50169038

Too late for the Happysexagenarian but I've successfully quilted using a cotton cellular blanket for the filling...the square holey type they have in hospitals. It's worth upcycling these things. Charity shops often sell on blankets to the ragman because most people use duvets but if you ask, it's amazing what gets retrieved from bin bags in the stockroom.

Cot quilts are an easy size to machine quilt as well as hand quilt. I've given up on the large sizes. Good fun to be had.

I have taken everyone's advice on board and have ordered all natural materials. I actually bought two quilt panels as I liked them both and couldn't choose between them - this is why I have such a large stash of fabrics! One panel will become a play mat and the other a cot quilt for when he is older. Can't wait for them to arrive now to get started.

Thank you so much for your replies. Some very helpful tips and information, and things I had not thought about.

Crystaltipps Your quilt is really lovely.

I'm really looking forward to doing this, and IF I finish it I'll post a photo on here. But may be back with more questions before then.....

Totally agree with "Ilovecheese". When I went to quilting class the 80/20 was the one recommended and the one I aways use. Don't use iron on or two layers. It helps when making the sandwich (of the front, wadding and back) to use 505 spray which will help stick the wadding to the panels and allow you to quilt easily. Only spray the wadding as it can mark fabric. One other comment about using 2 panels is when quilting you may come across a problem. If you decide just to do a random wandering stitch (free motion) or lines you will be fine but if as a lot of folk you stitch around the characters on the front panel it likely won't look so good on the back as it won't match. I would be inclined to get a panel and some interesting fabric for the back and then quilt round the characters on the panel. Happy quilting.

Use a natural washable batting - there are plenty of specialist websites. I'd be inclined to make a play quilt rather than one for a cot....quilts on cots can be too warm for modern houses. A lovely one like the one above (Crystaltipps is gorgeous) that can be put on the floor for a young baby to play on and just have a good wriggle when its very young is far more useful - but the whole thing needs to be washable so pre wash all the fabrics before you use them.

I used Heirloom 100% cotton batting. I made an appliqué quilt for latest GC it is used it as a playmat.

Hi happy glad to hear you are joining the quilting clan. Lovely idea to make quilt for a new baby but you do have to be very careful. The Lullaby Trust do not recommend that babies under 1 year have a quilt or pillows on their bed. A crib quilt for an older child is fine. Cottonpatch (along with many other suppliers probably) give good advice about wading regarding being careful not to make a cot quilt too hot. Have a look at their website. You could make a play mat for the floor for a baby, that would be another good idea.
Hope you enjoy your quilting ?

I use a Hobbs wadding(batting) that is 80% cotton 20% polyester. I would use one layer of any wadding, two layers would indeed make the quilt heavy and reduce the drape.

Remember also that quilts are not recommended for babies under one year old, so a small baby is more likely to be laid on top of a quilt than underneath a quilt. Because of this and because most of our homes are now heated efficiently, a baby or child quilt does not need to be especially warm.

If you are new to quilting, you would also be making the quilting much more difficult for yourself with a thick wadding.

Do be aware though, making quilts is addictive!

Get pure cotton batting not the polyester stuff - it’s much nicer for warmth and washes well, plus is a natural fibre. You don’t want a cot quilt too heavy - the lighter one is fine. They are nice to use as a little playmat on the ground for baby to have a kickabout and tummy time before they are big enough to go into a cot. Don’t use the iron- on on both sides - unnecessary and would make quilting difficult.