Dropping and fluffing refers to the process of taking a quilt top that has been pieced or appliquéd, and adding batting and backing to make it into a finished quilt. It is an important step in quiltmaking that enhances the loft and warmth of the quilt. Understanding how long this process takes can help quilters plan their time accordingly.
In general, the time it takes to drop and fluff a quilt depends on several factors:
– The size of the quilt – Larger quilts naturally take more time. A twin or lap size quilt may only take an hour or two, while a king size quilt can take much longer.
– Whether it is done by hand or machine – Machine dropping and fluffing is faster than doing it by hand. But some quilters prefer the control of handwork.
– The type of batting used – Thin batting with little loft can be quicker to work with than thick, high loft batting.
– How much precision is desired – Taking extra care to smooth out wrinkles, evenly distribute batting, and neatly finish edges adds more time. Rushing the process risks unevenness.
– Skill level and experience – Beginners will work slower as they learn techniques, while experienced quilters develop efficiencies.
So while it’s not possible to provide an exact timeframe that applies universally, we can look at estimates for some common scenarios to get an idea of typical dropping and fluffing durations.
Time Estimates by Quilt Size
Here are rough estimates for how long it may take to drop and fluff quilts of various sizes:
| Quilt Size | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Baby or Wall Hanging (30″ x 40″) | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Lap or Crib (45″ x 60″) | 1 to 2 hours |
| Twin (70″ x 90″) | 2 to 3 hours |
| Full/Queen (90″ x 90″) | 3 to 5 hours |
| King (108″ x 90″) | 5 to 8 hours |
These assume medium loft batting and reasonable care is taken during the process. Using high loft batting or a more meticulous approach could increase times further.
As shown, a larger quilt like a king size could take a full work day or longer to properly drop and fluff. Planning enough time is key.
By Hand vs. By Machine
Quilters have the choice whether to drop and fluff entirely by hand, or use a sewing machine for parts of the process. Here is how the times compare:
| Method | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| All by Hand | 2 to 3 times longer |
| Combined Hand and Machine | Moderate duration |
| All by Machine | Quickest method |
Doing it completely by hand takes patience but can result in a quilting that panel thread is perfectly aligned. The machine helps speed up basting and edge stitching. Combining the two balances speed and quality.
Batting Loft and Density
The loft, or fluffiness, and density of the batting used will impact dropping and fluffing time. Here are comparisons:
| Batting Type | Time Relative to Medium Loft |
|---|---|
| Low Loft Polyester | Slightly faster |
| Medium Loft Cotton | Average time |
| High Loft Wool | Longer time |
| Heavy Dense Cotton | More time consuming |
Thin and synthetic battings like low loft polyester are the quickest to work with. Thick high loft wool and dense heavy cottons require extra precision and care when dropping and fluffing around the quilt edges.
Key Steps in Dropping and Fluffing Process
To understand where time is spent during dropping and fluffing, let’s quickly go through the key steps:
1. Sandwiching
The quilt top, batting, and backing are layered together. The batting goes in the middle. This step is done either entirely by hand or started by machine then finished hand. Straightening and smoothing the materials takes time.
2. Basting
The three layers are tacked together using basting stitches, either hand or machine. Basting holds the sandwich together during the quilting process. More basting equals greater stability but also more time.
3. Edge Stitching
The perimeter of the quilt is sewn by machine using a straight or zigzag stitch. This encloses the raw edges neatly. Hand finishing would take considerably longer.
4. Quilting
Decorative stitching is added to lock the quilt layers together and create pits and surface texture. Done by hand this takes very long, so most quilters choose machine quilting. Intricate quilting patterns take longer than basic grid or diagonal stitches.
5. Binding
The quilt edges are finished with binding strips hand-sewn or machine stitched on the backside. Hand binding results in a tidy finished look but takes patience.
6. Finishing
Any stray threads are trimmed, corners shaped, and final touches made to complete the quilt. A thorough final press gives it a pristine look. Rushing this risks leaving unfinished edges.
Preparation to Reduce Dropping and Fluffing Time
There are some steps quilters can take earlier in the quiltmaking process to reduce dropping and fluffing time:
– Press all fabric pieces well with spray starch before assembling the top. Wrinkled pieces take longer to flatten and layer smoothly.
– Assemble the quilt back and press seams flat if needed before adding batting and top. Fixing bulky or uneven seams at this stage avoids frustration later.
– Use masking tape to secure the backing to your work surface before adding other layers. This prevents shifting and wrinkles.
– Plan out the quilting design ahead of time so you can mark any quilting guides on the top layer prior to sandwiching.
– Invest in quality quilting pins, markers, needles and thread. Good tools enable speed.
– Set aside a large dedicated space for layout and rolling up the quilt during the process. Adequate room reduces mistakes.
– Schedule enough uninterrupted time to focus just on dropping and fluffing with no rushed pace. It’s a slow and steady process.
Following these tips will help the layering and assembly go quickly and smoothly when the time comes. Rushing the quilting steps results in a lower quality outcome.
Conclusion
Estimating quilting time is challenging because every quilt and quilter is unique. But in general, a rule of thumb is to plan for dropping and fluffing to take about 1-2 hours for a smaller throw or baby quilt up to 8 hours or more for a king size quilt with intricate details. Factors like chosen techniques, batting loft, precision level, preparation and efficiency based on experience all impact the time needed. Allowing adequate unhurried time results in a beautiful finish. Slow and steady is the key to success when dropping and fluffing!