What is the best high loft batting?
 

While I know batting choices have been discussed several times, I still need your help. I made a queen-sized log cabin quilt top in a variation layout. Now I am ready to sandwich the quilt. I want very thick (high loft) batting, which I am planning to sort of hand quilt. What I mean is that I plan to quilt in the ditch, but only as frequently as the batting requires. In other words my stitching will appear every 4 inches or so. I hope one can do this.
So what batting is thick (super high loft) similar to that of a bought comforter and still $ affordable? I have been using warm and natural, but I don't want to use this for this project, since I really want a fat quilt. Thanks for your assistance and everyone have a great week.

I have been using Fairfield Hi Loft and love it. It is very consistent through out. You should be able to find it a WalMart. I used to use Morning Glory, also at Walmart, but have found the quality to be mediocre at best. If you are wanting a really hi loft to your quilt you may want to consider using a regular loft and hi loft together. Just remember the higher the loft the more shifting of the fabric. If you are planning to hand quilt, you may want to consider using double thread in the needle because of the shifting that will occur during use and washing.

You will have to go a shop and feel it. From your description I would think you have to make the selection based on how you want to quilt it. I don't believe I can make that decision for you as my skills might be different than yours. Therefore I have to back off a recomindition. Also high loft bat things are different according to manufacturers.

There is a really high loft...I think it is 8 oz...that is used for tying quilts. I've only seen it in polyester. I don't think it is possible to hand stitch it as it is so thick. I do like a 5 oz poly bat that I've been able to hand quilt. My local quilt stores carry it, and I've seen it at Joann's too.

I haven't used it, but in your situation I would definitely consider Quilter's Dream Puff Batting:
http://www.quiltersdreambatting.com/dream-puff.htm

I've used the Dream Puff mentioned above for a baby quilt on a DSM, a lap quilt quilted on a long arm (hired Gamill at LQS for a couple of hours) and trapunto. It's super light and fairly lofty.

I have used Hobbs PolyDown and really, really like it. It is light in weight and fairly high loft. However, I would not consider it to be super high loft.

In any case, polyesters offer the highest loft. You may need to layer two poly batts in order to get the super high loft you want.

I made a flannel quilt with two layers of six ounce poly from Hancock--it is nice and puffy, but I tied it rather than quilting. I don't think I could have done it by hand--too much loft for that. Poly will likely give you what you are looking for--it's nice in the wash, too.

Thanks for your advice. Will take a trip to the store today. Might need to reconsider the high loft as well, but at least it looks like that if I want the higher loft polyester is the way to go. Again thanks for all of your responses.