What material for baffels?

**Lando** · 09-30-2010, 16:32

I think I will use the momentum material for both sides of my quilts, but what material is used for the baffles? Better yet, which materials are easier to work with? Noseeum?

**Dblcorona** · 09-30-2010, 16:52

I used noseeum. Worked fine for me. Not hard to work with.

**Ramblinrev** · 09-30-2010, 17:42

You can actually use anything. One of the cheapest materials might be a dust cover fabric found in the upholstery trade. It is a very lightweight fabric used for covering the bottoms of chairs and such. Not good for much of anything else. I would think it would fine for baffles if you don't want to spring for noseeum. It should be pretty cheap.

**MarshLaw303** · 10-01-2010, 09:08

the thing i don't like about no-see-um is that it stretches when you work with it meaning you need to pin a lot. Pinning takes time that i don't have. I guess i am spoiled working with cuben all the time but cuben baffles are a dream. No stretch, you can see through them to get them lined up perfect and the edges don't fray. If you have any cuben scraps i say use those. Otherwise you can use the same materials as the quilt but you will need to sear them so they don't fray (hot cutting is the ticket here)*about 1yd + quilt scraps needed for most quilts i've done*

-Tim

**jbo_c** · 10-01-2010, 10:33

What's the best way to cut the NoSeeUm strips evenly? I worry with the stretch mine won't be a consistent width.

Jbo

**MarshLaw303** · 10-01-2010, 10:45

i cut my noseem to 2" most of the time which works great as i have some 5' and 6' 2" metal rules. I use a rotary cutter and cut out baffles using the rules as a cutting guide.

-Tim

**stormcrow** · 10-01-2010, 11:05

I also use noseeum these days. I kind of like it because I do not have to cut it with a hot knife. A roller knife works great.

As far as stretching is concerned, Tim is right. It is stretchy. I think that makes it harder when making things like a bug net (I have only made a hand full of those though). I find it is not hard at all to sew the noseeum onto a quilt though. I just pull on it a little to so that it continues my fold and then I let off the tension and it goes back to its relaxed staten (while keeping the fold I will be sewing on). Clear as mud, I am sure. If there is any interest, I can shoot a real fast (short) video of me putting on some baffles.

Also, if you are interested, I could send out some precut baffles. I pre make tons of them. Just let me know what size you want. How does $0.30/3" baffle sound. A 3" baffle should have enough seam allowance to make a 2+" baffle which would work great for a three season quilt (under or top). 12 baffles (for a 13 chamber top quilt) would cost $3.60. You get the idea?

Anyway, just a thought. I just figured since I have so many of them, I could share...

I remember cutting baffles to be a big pain in the butt before I was all set up to do it.

~Stormcrow

P.S. I am looking forward to working with Cuben. I bet it DOES make awesome baffles!

**jbo_c** · 10-01-2010, 11:48

Working on a down order. I'll take some of those baffles.

Jbo

**MarshLaw303** · 10-01-2010, 11:59

You might want to think twice about making cuben quilts to sell. I made a deal with the Devil that he would "deal" with anyone trying to do so. It makes it easy to sell more quilts when he "takes care" of the competition for you.

Just looking out for your well being

-Tim

**MAD777** · 10-01-2010, 12:06

I just made a quilt using this ... http://www.backwoodsdaydreamer.com/a...s/show/1519631

It doesn't stretch very much at all and being firmer, more stable, it is easier to cut and sew.

I have used this ... http://thru-hiker.com/materials/breathable.php called nano-seeum and it is a bit lighter, has an excellent drape but, stretches like crazy and is a challenge to work with.

I wish I could get the best of these two products combined in one material.