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Tools: What’s on this student’s head?

February 25, 2011 by Scarlett Burroughs

Okay, I’m cruising through all the photos of student’s work at a recent Sue Spargo workshop in Kokomo, Indiana and I paused. What is that on this student’s head? If you are like me or know someone over 40 you know we need more light to see as we age. Please someone tell me what this is and where you purchased it. I will not rest until I have one atop my head, just like Pat.

Editor’s note Feb 26, 2011: I have enjoyed reading each of your comments. Thanks for sharing with me all the ways you can use this head light and where to get one.  –Scarlett

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Comments

  1. Katherine says

    February 25, 2011 at 9:49 am

    It looks like a basic headlamp. There are tons of different styles ranging in price at most hardware stores. 🙂

  2. melissa says

    February 25, 2011 at 9:56 am

    My dad has one for working on the car and he LOVES it. We always teased him about using it, but now that I see someone quilting with it I may have to eat my words. Not sure why it didn’t occur to me to use one for sewing. Here’s a link to one on Amazon.

    http://www.amazon.com/3-LED-Personal-Headlamp-Case/dp/B002CNGP84

  3. susie says

    February 25, 2011 at 10:07 am

    It’s called a head lamp. You can buy them at most outdoor stores. We use them at our summer cottage because we don’t have any electric power. Perfect for reading at night and finding our way home in the dark. Great idea for sewing , quilting and art.

  4. scarlettburroughs says

    February 25, 2011 at 10:08 am

    Thank you Katherine and Melissa for identifying this nifty tool. I’m going out there to Amazon right now. Y’all are the best!

    Scarlett

  5. Jenn Shock says

    February 25, 2011 at 10:16 am

    You can get them at wal-mart or target in the camping section too. My hubby was an Eagle Scout and had one for when they went caving.

  6. Sue says

    February 25, 2011 at 10:19 am

    My husband and I each used one last night at the end of our hike when it got dark:) Love mine! So nice that it’s hands free, especially since we hike with trekking poles.

  7. Yvonne says

    February 25, 2011 at 11:53 am

    Home Depot has many to choose from, I bought several for Christmas gifts this year.

  8. Susan Mercer says

    February 25, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    My husband and kids have them for camping. I believe we bought them at the local Travel Country store. Should be able to find them at a sporting goods store.

  9. Mags Bonham says

    February 25, 2011 at 12:36 pm

    I have a magnifying head thingy that also has a light on it that can move to shine wherever you need it. I got mine at Harbor Freight really cheap.

  10. Tammi says

    February 25, 2011 at 1:02 pm

    LED headlamp – most handymen, mechanics have one. Available at places like Home Depot, Lowes…different styles
    My husband’s is made by Coast, it has an adjustable light.

  11. Sam says

    February 25, 2011 at 1:49 pm

    That thing on her head, a basic Energiser head lamp. They can be found all over the place, usually at Target, in the flashligh section. The head lamp runs under $20, closer to $10, if I remeber corectly. They run on 3 triple A batteries, and go a long time between changes. my family has replaced all the traditional flashlights with these, and loves them.

  12. Kelly says

    February 25, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    LL Bean, REI, Lands End all carry them. We use them camping, walking the dog at night and they are a more directed light, so I can read in bed with one and the light doesn’t bother my husband. Pay attention to the reviews, they are all a little different. Mine is lighter than my husband’s and my son’s is bomb proof. These are great stocking stuffers and my girls use their’s all the time. My oldest uses it at night when she is on the campus. We have a joke about where we all keep ours.Watch out, mine can sometimes walk away and find itself in my husband’s toolbox.

  13. PamB says

    February 25, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    Like many of my fellow mail carriers I used one when delivering or collecting mail after dark. We must use both our hands to hold, “finger” and deliver mail, so “using our heads” to light our way is the logical solution. I have to admit I never thought about using a headlamp for close work when quilting or other handwork, but since I often do craft projects or read whenever we’re on driving vacations, I will certainly keep this handy tool in mind!!!

  14. Eve says

    February 25, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    I have been using a light like this for years. It is a simple head lamp that some use for camping or other outdoor activities. I spend lots of time waiting on my kids in a dark car so I use the light to keep knitting after the sun goes down and I’m in car line waiting to pick up the kiddos! I get mine at walmart.

  15. Karen says

    February 26, 2011 at 1:23 am

    Looks like the Everready led headlamp I bought my husband in Walmart for about $10. It allows you to point it down and has several light settings so you can move the light where you need it and use a little or a lot of light.

  16. Melissa says

    February 26, 2011 at 8:34 am

    It looks like a hikers headlamp. You can buy them in all kinds of varieties at REI or Cabella’s. Really any outdoor shop will carry them 🙂

  17. Brenda says

    February 26, 2011 at 11:11 am

    You can also find at Walmart in the flashlight section….and some models even have a magnifiy capability

  18. Dennis says

    February 26, 2011 at 2:58 pm

    You can get them at WalMart, Kmart any department store will carry them. You need to go try them on so you can get one that is not to heavy.

  19. Rebecca J says

    February 26, 2011 at 4:41 pm

    My husband bought one for me so that I could walk at night. He got ours from LL Bean. It is one of the most useful tools we have. It’s used for many, many things and we both use it. I see it’s already been correctly identified.

  20. Peta says

    February 26, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    I now have two, I got them at an Electrical supplies shop. I bought the expensive one for me and it is too bright so I gave it my husband and I use the $10.00 version. It is just right and has is a led daylight type.

Have you read?

How to Choose the Best Batting for Your Quilt Project (Without Guessing)

Batting is one of those quilting decisions that feels strangely high-pressure.

It’s hidden inside the quilt. No one sees it.
But choose the wrong one? And suddenly your quilt feels stiff, too puffy, too flat… or worse, washes poorly.

I used to grab whatever batting was on sale. Then I made one quilt that felt like a winter doona and another that barely had any drape at all.

That’s when I realised — batting isn’t one-size-fits-all.

If you’re a hobby quilter making a few quilts a year, here’s how to choose batting confidently without needing a textile engineering degree.

What Batting Actually Does

Batting affects:

  • Warmth

  • Loft (how puffy it looks)

  • Stitch definition

  • Drape

  • Weight

  • Durability after washing

It’s the structure of your quilt.

The top fabric gets the attention — but the batting determines how the quilt feels in real life.

The 3 Main Types of Quilt Batting

Let’s simplify this.

1. Cotton Batting

Cotton batting gives a classic, traditional look.

It:

  • Lays flatter

  • Shrinks slightly when washed (creates that lovely crinkled look)

  • Shows quilting stitches clearly

  • Breathes well

Best for:

  • Heirloom quilts

  • Wall hangings

  • Summer quilts

  • Hobby quilters who love that soft, natural drape

If you prefer a quilt that feels traditional rather than fluffy, cotton batting is usually the safe choice.

2. Polyester Batting

Polyester batting has more loft and puff.

It:

  • Resists shrinking

  • Is lightweight but warm

  • Dries quickly

  • Holds its shape well

Best for:

  • Bed quilts

  • Utility quilts

  • Quilts that will be washed often

  • Gift quilts for busy households

If you’ve ever wanted that slightly “puffy” stitch texture, polyester delivers that beautifully.

3. Cotton-Poly Blend Batting

Blended batting gives you the middle ground.

It:

  • Offers more loft than cotton

  • Shrinks less

  • Still feels soft

  • Adds durability

For hobby quilters who want flexibility without overthinking, blends are often a very practical option.

Loft: Low, Medium, or High?

Loft refers to thickness.

Low loft:

  • Flatter finish

  • Easier for domestic sewing machines

  • Ideal for detailed quilting

Medium loft:

  • Balanced

  • Good stitch definition

  • Great for everyday quilts

High loft:

  • Puffy texture

  • Dramatic quilting lines

  • Best for larger-scale quilting designs

If you quilt on a standard home machine, low to medium loft is usually easier to manage.

Scrim vs No Scrim (And Why It Matters)

Some batting includes scrim — a light stabilising layer that holds fibres together.

Scrim batting:

  • Is more stable

  • Easier for machine quilting

  • Less stretching

No scrim batting:

  • Feels softer

  • More flexible

  • Often preferred for hand quilting

If you’re primarily machine quilting, scrim can make the process smoother.

How Batting Affects Stitch Definition

If you love seeing your quilting lines clearly, batting choice matters.

Cotton:

  • Shows stitching crisply

Polyester:

  • Creates raised stitching

High loft:

  • Makes stitches pop dramatically

If you’ve ever wondered why your quilting doesn’t look like the photos you admire, batting could be the difference.

Washing & Shrinkage Considerations

Cotton batting shrinks slightly after washing, creating that soft vintage crinkle many quilters love.

Poly batting resists shrinkage and keeps a smoother appearance.

Neither is wrong — it depends on the look you prefer.

For baby quilts or gifts, many hobby quilters appreciate predictable washing results.

Common Batting Mistakes

  • Choosing high loft for detailed block quilting

  • Not checking recommended quilting distance

  • Using thick batting on a small domestic machine

  • Ignoring fibre compatibility

Always check the manufacturer’s recommended stitch spacing. Some battings require closer quilting lines to maintain structure.

What Should Hobby Quilters Start With?

If you’re unsure, start here:

For traditional quilts:
Low loft cotton batting.

For everyday bed quilts:
Medium loft cotton-poly blend.

For puffy stitch texture:
Low to medium loft polyester.

You don’t need five types on hand. Choose based on project purpose.

Where to Compare Quilt Batting Options

Batting can be surprisingly varied, and seeing fibre type, loft, and recommended stitch distance clearly listed makes decision-making much easier.

Specialty quilting retailers like Fat Quarter Shop’s batting collection allow you to compare cotton, polyester, and blended options side-by-side so you can choose based on your specific quilt rather than guessing.

The Bottom Line

Batting is not just filler.

It determines how your quilt:

  • Feels

  • Washes

  • Drapes

  • Ages

For hobby quilters, understanding just three things — fibre type, loft, and project purpose — is enough to choose confidently.

You don’t need to memorise every product line.

You just need to match the batting to the quilt’s job.

This article is part of our Ultimate Guide to Quilting Notions for Hobby Quilters, where we break down essential tools without overwhelming you.

Next in the series:
Rotary Cutters Explained: Sizes, Blades, and When to Replace Them

 

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