frannella

Peace and Joy--I have been told (by a quilt teacher) that silk will keep you just as warm as wool. Based off one tablecloth (my only silk batt project to date), it's a little hard for me to give you an answer. IMHO, silk has a lighter heft and/or more fluid drape, if you will, and is probably more breathable. It's really lovely stuff, but I also I know more than one quilter who lines her silk batts with a thin 100% cotton batt as well. I think they do it for strength and possibly for warmth as well. To be clear, their quilt sandwiches are composed of : quilt top, cotton batting, silk batting, quilt backing. Because it's so dear, I haven't experimented with silk batt beyond my one tablecloth. But, I agree with you about wool feeling cooler, possibly because of its loft and breathability. It's lovely stuff too.

Although the protection-from-bugs issue is equally relevant to silk, I haven't seen silk sold in rolls, so that issue is moot. Packaged battings are easier to protect, control, and store than rolls are. I am sure there are a lot of quilters on this list who use silk batts, but silk batting vs wool batting is probably another thread? HTH and Happy Sewing.

peaceandjoy

Thanks, frannella, for the input!

The price is what has prevented me from trying silk. Until 5 years or so ago, I always used cotton, and liked it very much. The Warm and Natural line was my go to. A couple were done with Warm and Plush, the same as their usual, but thicker so warmer.

Well, warmer is NOT something that I want on my side of the bed, lol. I went through menopause years ago and STILL have not flashes. So ridiculous. I had absolutely no idea that once all was said and done that hot flashes would continue.

Anyhow, that's what lead me to use wool. I still kick everything off in the night (and then pull it back an hour later!), but it is also warmer for DH, who is perpetually cold. I was just wondering if silk would be better still.

I send my tops out for quilting, but do buy the batts in a package. No room for a roll here, and don't want to tempt any creepy crawlies anyhow.

Thanks again.