I've only used 100% when hand quilting. Unlike many others here, I use Warm & Natural - which does have a scrim - but do not find it overly difficult to quilt. Then again, if I ever used something else, I'd probably feel differently. I, too, prefer all natural quilts as they do breathe better. I find them warmer in winter and cooler in summer. I also like the 'crinkle' look that 100% cotton battings give after washing.

I'm not a hand quilter, but when I ask the hand quilters to sit in on the beginning quilt classes and mentor, they always say no scrim!, and that wool or a lower loft poly work best.

Cotton or wool though wool is my favorite for hand quilting. Costs a little more BUT I always buy the king size and can usually get at least 2 out of it. There for half price!! (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!) I, also, lap quilt, no hoop and whatever needle is in the pincushion.

I only use a wool batting if I am hand quilting - much easier to slide the needle through then either cotton or poly.

I, too, only use cotton batting.

I just read on this site yesterday that poly doesn't breathe and that isn't good. I like 80/20 and I like Dream Cotton. I just ordered some wool batting and I like it too. I haven't ever had much poof hand quilting. I use to use Warm and Natural but now that I have tried 80/20 and wool I like those two much better. Dream Cotton is good too.

The cotton batting may be thin but it is super heavy. I'm doing a quilt now with cotton batting and I am shocked by the weight. I do believe it will be so warm this winter though. To me poly is not warm.

Warm and Natural is heavy. I do think Dream Cotton is lighter. I was definitely surprised at how much lighter my quilt that has 80/20 Hobbs in it is.

but then - it's only my opinion...This could be a science fair project!! Take 3 different types/brands of batting and see how much they weigh!

:D

I always understood cotton batting to be the best choice. Am also hand quilting GMF garden with 1930's reproduction fabric - ongoing project for years now :)

I have tried many but I always come back to Dream cotton-Blue Request:
https://www.amazon.com/Quilters-Drea...equest+batting

I bought some wool batting....that will be my last experiment trying to leave Dream cotton. I love the way it crinkles up after washing/drying to give that old fashioned vintage look. (it is not puffy).