Types of Batting
 

I have been quilting for about 10 years now, I have pretty much always used the same type of batting. I think I am currently using Hobbs 80/20.

I am thinking I want to use some of the wool batting, however, wool directly against my skin breaks me out really bad. But if it was inside the quilt layers would it have the same effect?

Is it really warmer and heavier....I am wanting heavier....I can make the quilt in flannel or fleece and have it heavier...but I don't think that is what I am going for....but that is because I haven't found the flannel I like yet to make the pattern I want to.

Any suggestions or ideas on batting would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

I don't know if the wool would still bother you inside a quilt but you could sandwich the wool between the Hobbs 80/20 and that should protect you. I don't know how hard it would be to quilt with 3 layers of batt. Hopefully someone can give you more advice.

I used Hobbs Tuscany wool in a quilt. It is warm, but not heavy at all.

If you want weight to your quilt the add a layer of Warm & Natural with your Hobbs 80/20. Remember heavy quilts are much harder to wash and dry and can become uncomfortable.
If you want to use wool, you will get a warm but lighter weight quilt. I suggest Hobbs Tuscany Wool or Quilters Dream wool batts. If you want a really high quality wool find alpaca batting. Alpaca is expensive but is a wonderful fiber to work with and quilts up like a dream!
If you are wanting a fiber that will breathe but still keep you warm but not too warm, you might want to try bamboo batting. Once again, it's expensive but is very nice to work with.
For adding a bit of weight, you might look at Fairfield batting 60/40 or 50/50 blend batts.

The quilt I am getting ready to FMQ has a Fairfield Quilter's 80cotton/20poly batting in it that I preshrunk. Folded, it is much heavier than any other quilt I have done. The Hobbs polydown was the lightest. I had another 80/20 in JoAnn's brand. It worked up nicely, but it was lighter than this one.

My bed quilt has wool and cotton, I used the wool on the top layer, I think it gives the quilting more definition. I love it, and I wouldn't think it would bother you on the inside because it won't touch your skin. You could come and sleep over... JK!
but the weight of the quilt is wonderful, I use it summer and winter. And it washes nicely too.
Enjoy

You should probably test the wool inside something, maybe a pillowcase and sleep on it to see if it causes the rash. It would be a shame to spend all the expense and time on something that you can't use. It may be alright since the wool isn't touching your skin, but I wouldn't take a chance.
Sue

If you are wanting heavier, I'm not sure wool batting is what you want. I have used 2 types of wool batting and they are both lighter than the Hobbs 80/20.

wool batts are very lightweight---but lofty--super nice- the dream wool would probably be a good choice in your situation--it is washable- very nice to work with= and inside the sandwich probably will not bother you---remember however- you will have to handle it to get it into the sandwich in the first place.
if you want heavy a good double sided flannel will add weight- also you can layer a cotton and a wool batt together---the cotton would add the weight-the wool the warmth and loft.
fleece is a very warm-heavy fabric and can be used for batting too.
you may want to contact a company that will send you swatches of batts so you could check it out before commiting---wool batts are on the expensive side- it would be sad to spend alot to find you can not use it-
try the dream company- they may actually have a swatch book available for all of their fabulous battings!

How is wool batting to hand quilt with? For larger quilts I love to hand quilt.