I have used blankets, sheets, old quilts and thin mattress pads for batting. My quilts will never be artistic in value but they are warm, and hold up wonderful. I made one out of peiced sheets for the top and backing and a mattress pad for the batting. Tied it together with embroidery floss. Washed it every two days for 5 years and it still wouldn't die. The dog finally chewed a hole in it!