What Kind of Batting do You Use - Cotton, Poly, Blend or Wool - and Why
 

I recently purchased my first batting.

I chose the poly because I didn't want the quilt to be too heavy, which is what I was told cotton would do. It's also for a large lap throw rather than staying in one place on a bed. And didn't want to use the thinnest cotton because I wanted a little more loft.

What is your preference? And why?
Cathy

In Poly I just usually get the 4oz off the roll unless I want more fluff. I do have some Mountain Mist Quilt Light in the bag- suppose to be much better/easier for hand quilting. I am using that for a special project.

I also stock up on Warm and Natural when it is on sale and use that for pretty much everything

I've used a lot of Warm and Natural, as I like the feel of the quilt after.
This spring used a poly .... and had forgotten how light a quilt could be!

I haven't used wool or bamboo ... and am intrigued, and will be interested to read the comments on these.

I used poly on the roll for some lap quilts when I got back into quilting a couple of years ago. Maybe it was my lack of experience with machine quilting at the time, but I had problems with the sandwich shifting even though they were pin basted quite well. Switched over to Warm & Natural but have since switched to Hobb's Heirloom which is all cotton and non-scrim. Seems to be a little lighter weight and softer/more flexible than W&N. Haven't tried any wool or bamboo batting (yet). I'm sure you'll get pro's and con's for the myriad of choices but in the end it boils down to the feel and look of the finished quilt that you like, and it's intended use.

Nancy Ziemen has a small paperback book that explains all about batting, the different kinds, how they are made and what the differences are, It is very informative and quite inexpensive. Worth having in your library

My favorite to work with is a 80 cotton/20poly that has been through a soak and the drier - do not agitate!!! Ask me how I know. I'm the rare person who is not a fan of the crinkled look, so I like to preshrink my batts. I haven't been quiltiing long enough to see how my quilts hold up. I have used Mountain Mist poly, Hobbs Polydown, and the cotton/poly. Today I will use a Fairfield Quiter's 80/20 bought on sale at JoAnn's. It's been preshunk and is ready for a trip to the church to sandwich it.

I love Hobbs 80/20. It has the look and almost feel of 100% cotton, but not as much shrinkage. For tablerunners and wallhangings I like to use Warm and Natural 100% cotton. I just like the thinner stuff on those things.

If I want warmth, I buy either all poly or a cotton/poly blend. Otherwise, I use Warm and Natural. If I need it really warm, I use two layers of that poly on the roll at Hancocks as there is no thick batt currently available that is anywhere as warm as Down. You have to tie that quilt unless you have a long arm. I live in MN, where it is cold for 7 months of the year. Someone in say Georgia, would likely have different requirements.

As far as brands,my favorite is Quilter's Dream, followed by Hobbs 80/20. I have never tried a wool or bamboo batting. The wool seems to require more care than I think my giftees would put in and I haven't heard enough how the bamboo holds loft over time.

i now prefer cotton. i don't like puffy look at all in my quilts. i want the nice flat look that shows the quilting design.

These are very interesting responses. Thanks for replying.

I just read on line that the poly I purchased will shrink 1% if washed on warm/dried on warm, which is what I'd planned to do before gifting. This is how I'd expect it would be laundered going forward.

My quilting cottons were already washed. Do you think this small amount of shrinkage will be an issue on a 62 x 72 quilt?

I should add that I don't like the crinkled look.

Thanks,
Cathy

i do poly for all baby gifts...you never know who's allergic to what and poly is hypoallergenic AND washes and dries during the length of one nap....(seriously, my kids watched the dryer till their 'blankies' were done)... i do cotton for wallhangings, hangs flat against the wall beautifully....BUT, for bed quilts ...i sandwich the backing, cotton, thinnest possible poly and then top... poly fills the quilting stitches and that's important to me... I have not used wool yet, but everyone i know who has says it's just dreamy... and the perfect thing for hand quilting, which i do on occasion...

I am just finishing a quilt using bamboo; this is the first time that I have used it. It is thinner and lighter than Warm and Natural, but was less than half the price of W&N, and I like that it is a rewable resource (although, come to think of it, I'm not aware that there is a cotton shortage anywhere on the planet!). I did find that it was very flat once the quilt was quilted. It is warm, but not being as heavy as W&N, it's not as warm as W&N. There was not the puffiness that you get with poly. I didn't pre-wash so I don't know how that is going to turn out, but the packing said it was fine in the washer and dryer.

Thanks CanadaKate ..... I saw some in a store not long ago, and loved the feel of it ..... so cuddly-able (new word!) in its naked state, than the W+N right beside it.

I have used wool and cotton and cotton/poly blend. The thickness of the batting will determine the weight and and loft of the quilt. I have seen silk batting and would love to try it, but is very expensive. I only use poly if I am going to tie the quilt. I do not like to machine quilt on poly.

Cathy, I don't think 1% batt shrinkage is going to be a problem for you.

I don't know about other fibers, but 100% cotton gets softer with every washing. That's one of the reasons why I favor the old-fashioned Mountain Mist Blue Ribbon 100% cotton batting. (I wouldn't recommend it for hand quilting, though; too tough!). If I want higher lofter, then I like Hobbs 80/20. Both of these battings require fairly close quilting (3" or less) and shrink about 3%, giving a crinkled effect.

With poly, I think you need to be careful about brand and quilting distance if it is to be used a lot, as in a child's quilt. I had a bad experience with one that balled up badly over time. If I were to use poly, I'd probably try the Quilter's Dream polydown or something else in the QD product range.

1% shrinkage is nothing. Don't worry.

I like Warm and Natural or Warm and White but recently have also been using the Hobbs 80/20. I like the antique drawn in look once the quilt is washed.

There are a lot of things to consider. I am usually a handquilter. For that I like the Bamboo or the lighter cottons. If I am making something for someone who will launder it a great deal poly is the only way to go. I make about 20 Linus quilts a month and for them I use the 4 oz. poly batting that comes on a ten yard roll from Joanns. Who has any idea how those quilts will be laundered so poly is the best way to go with them.
In the long run it comes down to what you can afford, how it will be laundered and how you like the look of the finished product.

I use all kinds of dffernent battings. Each has its pro and cons. Its good to learn about the differnent battings , so you can make a decision thats right for each project. I do tend to use quite a bit of Warm and Natural , but thats for table runners and wall hangings where I want a consistant thinness and more structure in the batting. I really don't like runners that I worry if a glass will be more tippsy because of the batting.
There are frequently times when I double bat a quilt , but I then mix cotton and poly . I get more warmth ( with out the cost of wool) and it will dry faster in the dryer. Plus a get that bit of extra loft, that enhances the quilting.
If you looked at my storage place for batting , you would be hard pressed to figure out if I really had a favorite.

I mostly use either Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 or Quilter's Dream poly. I don't have a JoAnn's anywhere close so I order my battings by the case from Hancocks of Paducah. I do occasionally use Quilter's Dream cotton in either the request or select weights. I don't like warm and natural at all.

i use all of the above! it depends on the quilt- every quilt is different and i choose the batting for each one depending on the quilts *function*- who will use it=how it will be used- how it will be cared for-
for the kids quilts- that are used ALOT- in the car- forts, sleep overs ect---washed often- dragged around daily---i use dream green- or some poly batting- they hold up well great for utility quilts
for special bed quilts sometimes i use a hobbs heirloom cotton- sometimes DReam Wool, Dream orient, or Dream bamboo. the bamboo batting has held up well in a couple used often/washed often quilts-
i love the batts from the dream company- they are all very nice to work with-
my absolute favorite batt is Wool- but it is expensive- and not quite right for every quilt--but it does depend on the quilt- i don't use w&n often---but once in a while.

I handquilt and strongly prefer a wool batting. I still want to try silk sometimes. Bamboo cotton and other plant type fibers do not interest me. They tend to be more difficult to needle but work well for machine quilting. Guess that is why we have such variety, to meet specific needs.

I think what I am going to do in the new year is to do some "test" pieces ... quilt up the same fabric and quilting design except for the batting. Then wash and rewash and see what they are like!

The closest I'll ever get to really knowing what they are like in an apples-to-apples comparison, for feel, drape, shrinkage, etc.

Placemats would be the obvious ... though not being a placemat user or lover ... any suggestions as to what would be good for this test run? (and usable too)

I use poly in lap quilts and wall-hangings for the puff factor for the wall-hanging & not so heavy quilts & I use cotton batting in table runners & potholders because that is thin & it won't be so thick when they're folded for storage.

DublB ... knowing how we fear to wash wool clothing .... any difficulties in washing quilts with wool? (of course, cold water wash!)

My favorite is Dream Cotton but I like Warm and Natural too. That's about all I use.

Hi, I use Warm and Natural, cotton, two layers if I want it to be thicker