I've "only" been quilting for ten years or so, but have always been in the "cotton" for batting generation. I always "looked down" at using poly batting as it reminded me of cheap comforters.
Until this week.
I took in a quilt to quilt for a senior lady who had made a lovely log cabin pattern. I cringed when she showed me the precious backing material - only an inch wider and longer than the quilt top.
Then she showed me the batting. Medium loft poly. Arg. I tried not to let my bias show, but I'm not sure if I was successful.
Well, Humble pie time. It quilted up beautifully. The quilting she chose was not dense - about 3"apart at the widest, and the SITD work went well.
I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't pucker at all on the backing. Since the backing fabric was rather plain, it would have really shown if it puckered.
So, she was happy, and I learned to relax my opinion a little.
For me, I still love the feel and warmth of cotton. But if a customer asks for poly, I won't necessarily try to change her mind.

Thats great. I too am a "W&N" fan...however.... I have ordered some Hobbs Poly Down to try. Ive seen so many quilts here where they have used the Hobbs Poly Down and they are awesome. Cant wait till I get it in, I will try it on one of my Christmas quilts (for me), LOL. thanks for sharing your experience.

One of my favorite battings is Fairfield Traditional poly batting. It's not fluffy or too thin. It gives the quilt body and machine quilting shows up great. I use silk or wool batting for dense machine quilting.

I am definitely bookmarking this subject. I really would like to try different types of batting. this is good to know. THANKS

Nice to know!

Glad it worked out for both of you!!!

And I prefer poly batting. I find W&N is too heavy for me.

I've never tried poly batting, but have heard that it doesn't "breathe" well, and can be too hot, or make one sweat. Is there any truth to this, or is this just another one of those "old wife's tales"? Inquiring minds want to know!

I bought Fairfield batting for years then Walmart stopped carrying it. Made dozens of quilts, most are still in use and holding up beautifully. It gets cold in Nevada at night, ask me how I know.

I had Charisma quilt a top for me and she used Hobbs Poly Down- I love it!!!
So that's got me changing my thinking- I have always used cotton only.

My dear friend just made a quilt with Hobbs Thermore batting from her stash. It drapes nicely and feels very nice! Any opinions on this one? She has decided to buy more

I use poly batting all the time. I hand quilt so it is easier on my hands and the traditional weight comes out just as nice as the cotton that I can rarely afford anyway.

there are many wonderful batts on the market- from all kinds of fibers other than cotton- maybe it's time to start trying some of them- it will open a whole new world for you -and take your quilting to a new level.
my absolute favorite is Dream Wool-
the dream poly is wonderful to work with- dream green- very nice-
dream orient, bamboo- hobbs heirloom 80/20, so many to choose from and try-
it's kind of sad when someone has (tunnel vision) they miss out on so many great things

I've used the poly batting from the start because my family doesn't like heavy quilts & it's more affordable for me. I enjoy working with it & my quilts have come out beautiful. I'm working with Hobbs Cotton batting now I got on sale & like that too. It basically depends on the project for me which I like best.

This is what I have been told about poly & cotton batt. I am no expert, but this informations has helped me plan my quilts.
Poly Batt does not breathe much and the body heat is reflected--therefore, it tends to feel 'warmer'.
Cotton or Cotton Blend Batt breathes, letting some of the body heat escape.

I tend to think of the batting as to where the quilt is going to live, example:
Hot Climate=Cotton or Cotton Blend, Cold Climate=Poly or Cotton, and have used both in a couple of quilts.

this doesn't make sense to me - if you look at a poly batt you can see light through it. Cotton batts look denser to me.

Both work in the same way, having a layer of air trapped in the batt, that acts as insulation. Same way the insulation in your walls works.
Poly fibers do not absorb water the way natural fibers do, this is why quilts dry so fast with poly, and one of the reasons I like poly. I don't have a dryer so have to dry on the line on a sunny day.

I have always used poly. But recently I bought an 80/20 batt. I don't like it very well so will use up the scraps in hot pads. I like some loft in my quilts and cotton has no loft. I'm a hand quilter and the poly quilts easier. We like warm, light weight quilts.

Yep, the poly batting have come a long way. There are some nice ones available these days.

I hand quilt so I prefer poly batting -- but the big reason for me is that it doesn't shrink at all when washed. I like my quilts to be unwrinkled and smooth.

Most people seem to like the vintage wrinkle look.

I tell the recipient that if their quilt isn't worn out in 25 years, they didn't love it to pieces. -- That makes them relax and not be afraid to really enjoy their quilt -- Mim