I'm fairly new at quilting and found that my "niche" is hand quilting. So relaxing and enjoyable to me. I'm still learning the differences between battings and love the Hobbs Heirloom Wool. But based on what I've read both on this board and elsewhere I don't think it is my best option for a quilt that will get heavy duty use and washing.

I've waffling between Quilters Dream Puff (would it be too puffy for hand quilting) and the Quilters Dream Cotton in Select.

Any input would be appreciated.

I have never hand quilted with wool but from what I understand it is the BEST to handquilt. It is also my understanding that Hobbs manufactures this batting to be machine washed. I think you can still use this batting in a quilt that will be washed a lot. Why don't you contact Hobbs and ask them

http://www.hobbsbondedfibers.com/contact.html

I used a polyester batting for a quilt for my daughter's bed in about 1976 when she got her first big girl bed. She used it and we washed it regulary until she got married. Now her daughter uses it on her bed and it still is soft and comfy. It is hand quilted because that was all I knew how to do back then. I think you can use anything you want and if you do a good job of quilting it will last a long time.

I hand quilt using Warm and natural.

I've read a lot that says Warm and Natural are hard to push the needle through because it has a scrim. How hard do you think it is?

I preshrink the Warm and Natural batting before I stitch it. I put it in the washer in hot water and let it soak until it's good and wet (it floats so keep pushing it down into the water). Do NOT agitate it in the washer. Then I spin it out and put it in the dryer. It is softer that way and won't shrink as much the next time it's washed. I don't think it hard to push the needle thru. I change the needle often as they get dull with use.

I don't like Warm and Natural for hand quilting. I thought it was too difficult to get through. My wrist jammed the first time I tried quilting on it.

I did like Hobb's Heirloom Cotton 80/20 It was nice to quilt through.

My LQS did not have it last time I was getting ready to quilt.

They did have Quilters Dream Cotton in Select . Since I hadn't quilted in a while I found it tough going at the start. I broke a needle (something I had never done) and had to switch needles. When I switched needles it was like a veil lifted. It was so much easier. I have gotten used to this batting and am enjoying quilting.

Back long ago when I hand quilted Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 was my batting of choice.
Sharon

I use warm and natural.

I use Quilter's Dream Select.