Choosing Your Batting

Once you’ve finished piecing your top, it’s time to choose your batting.

There are many brands and types of batting available – from natural fibers like cotton and wool to synthetic and man-made fibers.

You will need to consider the following when choosing your batting:

·         How will the quilt be used?  Will it be a show quilt? Wall hanging? Baby or child’s quilt – does it need to be fire-retardant?  Does the family have pets?  Will it be used as home décor or will someone actually “use” it?

·         How often will it be laundered?  A quilt that will be “used” will most likely be laundered frequently.

·         What kind of look do I want?   Puffy?  Drapy vs stiff?

·         What is my preference for fiber?  Cotton? Poly? Wool? 

·         How warm do I want my quilt to be?

·         Do I have price concerns? How much do I want to spend on batting?

Cotton and Cotton Blends:                            

•  Cotton batting is a low-loft batting – when washed and dried, your quilt will take on the soft, vintage look of traditional quilts. 
•  All around good choice for many quilts
• Cotton “breathes” – keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer
• Cotton batting can be heavy

Polyester:

• Available in various lofts
• Less expensive than cotton
• Lighter weight than cotton
•  Doesn’t “breathe” like cotton
•  Prone to bearding and pilling (coming through to top or back of quilt)
• May compress or flatten over time
•  May melt or flatten if ironed too hot

Wool:

• Warm and breathable; retains warmth even if damp
• Light weight
• Adds puffiness/texture
• Good choice for show quilts as it easily releases wrinkles
• More expensive batting
• As with all wool, may attract moths so you will need to store appropriately

 Other batting choices include:

•  Flame-retardant battings – great for baby or children’s quilts (Brands include Dream Angel by Quilter’s Dream Batting and Warm and Safe by Warm and Company)
• Eco-friendly battings – bamboo and recycled (Brands include Quilter’s Dream Green [made from recycled bottles], Hobbs Kyoto Bamboo Blend, Soy Soft by Moda Fabrics)
• Flannel can also be used as a “batting” for a lighter, flatter quilt

Loft:

Some batting brands are available in different lofts.  Each will give a different look to your finished quilt.

Low Loft:

•  Easily needled for hand quilting
•  Soft and drapable
• Resembles soft vintage quilts
• When hand-quilting – achieve small even stitches

Medium Loft:

• Adds texture to finished quilt
• Puffier look
• Warmer than low loft but not as soft/drapy if quilted too closely

High Loft:

• Good for highlighting detailed quilting
• Lots of texture to quilting
• Warmest of lofts
• Used primarily for comforters, bedspreads or tied quilts
• Stays soft and drapable with very open or light quilting

Packaged batting should be removed from the packaging and allowed to “breathe”  before using it in your quilt.  The easiest way to do this is to let it lay flat overnight.  This gives it time to “breathe” as well was relax any folds or wrinkles.  Depending on the fiber content of your batting, you can also toss the batting in a dryer for a few minutes.  Read the label for the manufacturer’s suggestions on drying.  Use a “no heat” setting for about 15-20 minutes.  Removing the batting from the packaging also allows you to check for “thin spots” in the batting.  If you take your batting out and see thin spots, put it back in the package and return it to the store where it was purchased.  

My personal favorites:

·         Quilter’s Dream battings!!!!  They are consistent in their quality and quilt “like buttah”!  Available at local quilt shops.

·        Warm and Natural, Warm and White from The Warm Company.  Available at local quilt shops as well as Joann’s.

·         Nature’s Touch 100% Cotton Batting by Pellon.  Available at Joann’s.

If you have any questions about batting, please feel free to contact me.

Happy Quilting,

Patti