don't always want shrinkage after quilting, so what's the best way to go? any opinions?

I have only been quilting for a few years so not an expert on this but
the poly batting I used "bleed" and did not hold up well. I started using
warm & natural and love it. I always wash mine as I want everything I put in my quilt washed. Never had a bit of trouble with it. I do not hand quilt but the people I have had do my quilts loved it and the long arm quilter liked it too.

Based on the suggestions here (thanks again!) I went out and got the Warm and Natural. I was pleasantly suprised at the cost, the 90" wide was 12.00/y, based on what a few people here have mentioned I thought it would be way more expensive.

I also took a look at 50/50 cotton bamboo batt, it felt so soft! Problem was the pre-washing instructions seemed a bit intense. You couldn't use a washing machine or dryer.
Zoo

I've used the bamboo batting and treated it the same as the Warm & Natural as far as pre soaking - put it in the washing machine, let the tub fill with hot water, turn it off, let it soak for about 30 - 60 mins. Then do a spin and then throw it in the dryer on regular heat and voila - it's wonderfully soft and ready to use. Not had any problems with it.

Good to know HMK, maybe next quilt I'll get adventurous and try it!
Zoo

that's also what it says on their website. i'm waiting for a 50% coupon to try it myself. very eco-friendly, too. :P

Great information.

I buy Warm & Natural by the whole roll and have never had a problem with thin spots or wrinkles. I do not pre - wash either. I love the look of the little bit of shrinkage I get when washing the quilt when done.

The comment about oily spots is an interesting one. I have had 1 quilt that I made 6 years ago that developed a couple spots on only 2 of the 26 different fabrics in it. The quilt was spray-basted, probably heavier than I now spray and with a different brand than I use now. It may be because of the basting spray, it may be because of the quality of the fabric, though it was a quilt shop quality fabric, it may be the cotton batting, or a combination of all 3. The spots look a little like it mildewed a little, though I guess it could also look oily. It is a quilt I made for my DD #2 and she has it at her home so I can look at it again right now. It took several years for the spots to show. It has been washed several times and after the spots appeared I even washed it with a little bleach. I have never had any others do that, and I have made over a hundred quilts using the Warm & natural product and spray baste.

I am curious what happened and why. My boss also spray basted one and I think used W & N but used cheaper fabrics and used a whole can on only 1 queen size and she had a bunch of spots appear after a couple years also. Now, she sprayed it with a ton of spray and it took her 3 years to quilt it, therefore it was not washed until the spray had been on it for 3 years!!!

can i buy warm and natural by the roll at 120"? i've never actually seen it.
has anyone out there seen it anywhere?

I'm not sure if you can get the 120", I have bought the king size bats in packages for the sizes larger that 90", I hate piecing batting!!!