I have never had success with zigzagging batting pieces together - one side always stretches out. I have used scraps of fusible interfacing. Often I'm a lazy lima bean and just butt the pieces together without attaching them. :) I recently had to wash a long, skinny wall hanging and now when you hold it up to the light you can see space between the batting strips, so I really should take the time to attach them together from now on.

Donna

I overlay and cut like Lois. But then I iron on small pieces of fusible here and there to tack it together. Once pinned and quilted, it has never shown that I can see.

As Lois does, I overlap, cut a gently curving wavy line and hand stitch.
I like the wavy line because the batting doesn't separate when folded lengthwise the way a long straight line can sometimes.
The 'X' stitch I use is the catch stitch - gently pulls both parts together without adding bulk. Great for clothing

I zig-zag the pieces together and have never had an issue. However I should qualify this in that the quilting is rather dense,so separation has not been concern even after washing.

I did one of those "quilt as you go" type quilts a while back. You sandwich the quilt, then cut out 1/3 of the batting on each side. Then, you quilt the center and add the batting back to one side at a time. It suggests cutting a wavy line and then using the fusible tape to reattach the sides of the batting.

The batting stretched and it was hard to get it back in the same place it left. I labeled which end faced which direction, which end went where - everything. Still, it didn't fit exactly right and the fusible didn't stick right. My iron stuck to the batting. It all worked out, I hope (haven't washed it yet). Of course, I didn't know that batting had sides, either. So it may do better next time I try it.

bkay

I have a large basket of leftover pieces of batting that I need to join together. I have tried both the zig-zag and the fusible joining strip. I have trouble with it stretching when I zig-zag it too.

What if you reduced the presser foot pressure or used a walking foot? I'm not sure if I've tried those strategies. I. too, had problems with the zigzag. It stretched the batting.

bkay

Either of those might work, bkay. It's worth a try! When I had problems I was using the multi-stitch zigzag. I think I've tried just regular zz and not had as much trouble. Maybe a wide open toe foot would help, too.

Donna

I save the fusible interfacing scrap strips from the tee shirt quilts and use it to stabilize the join, then zigzag over the seam. Keeps one side from stretching and uses up my scraps. Whenever I have a bunch of interfacing I spend a day just joining strips.

I've done the curvy cut and then zigzagged but it did stretch some. I'll try some fusible next time.

I use the fusible tape, it works great and I’m still on my first roll, great purchase with a 40% off coupon! I tried the cut/hand baste/sew and had a big rippled mess.

To keep one side from stretching, line up the two pieces and go down the seam, using a chalk marker across, about every six inches. When you sew, it is easy to see if one side is getting ahead of the other.

I only zigzag thinnish cotton batting. For thicker polyester, I use Lois’s method and baste by hand.