I prefer wool, from Hobbs or Quilters Dream.

Jan in VA

Thanks everyone! I think I am going to try the Hobbs Tuscany wool.... :) Maybe save the silk for later. the $5 price difference isn't that big a deal, but I want it to be really warm, and well the quilt will be used alot, it is special to me, so I think I want something a little more than cotton.....

I really enjoy seeing everyone's opinion. I've been quilting for years, but just recently got into more handwork than machine, and am spending lots of time trying different things :)

I don't handquilt often enough but the ones I've done have been warm and natural. Nothing to compare it to but it didn't seem hard to get the needle through. On the big queen size one my
stitches definitely improved over time

I avoid high loft batting. It is too hard to hand or machine quilt for me. I think it is more appropriate for tying a quilt. I also found it very hard to attach a binding to. I am self taught but this is my experience.

When I use to hand quilt, many years ago I used poly batting. Now that I machine quilt, I use high loft poly batting. It will outlast the fabrics you use. Very soft and easy to get a needle through. I have quilted 100 quilts and almost all of them have been poly batting.

Actually, I prefer any kind of poly to a cotton batting when I hand quilt. Just got through two lap quilts using Hobbs Poly Down. Gave nice dimension and was very use to quilt. Quilters Dream makes for great hand quilting also.

I love Quilter's Dream Request loft. It is a cotton batt, but I love the look of a quilt after it is hand quilted and then washed. Gets all crinkly!

Quilters Dream

I have been hand quilting for years and always use extra loft Fairfield poly batts for my quilts. I have no problem hand quilting with the extra loft. I like to puffyness you get amd dpm't care for the machine quilted quilts. To flat and stiff for my likes. Just me.

I will have to try this. Thinking on one of my stonehendge quilts... ordered Wool (Hobbs Tuscany) for my Downton Abbey quilt, but have some high loft poly, and I do like puffy quilts :)