Quilt Batting: How to Choose the Right Layer for Your Quilts

Quilt Batting: How to Choose the Right Layer for Your Quilts

Quilting is often celebrated for its artistry, the pieced tops, the intricate stitching, the vibrant fabrics. Yet hidden inside every quilt is a quiet hero: the batting. This middle layer, sandwiched between the quilt top and backing, determines not only the warmth and weight of your quilt but also how it drapes, how it feels, and even how your stitches appear. Choosing the right batting can elevate your project from good to exceptional.

In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of quilt batting, their qualities, and the best uses for each. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned quilter, understanding batting will help you make confident, creative choices.

What Is Quilt Batting?

Batting (sometimes called wadding) is the soft, insulating layer inside a quilt. It provides:

• Warmth – thicker batting traps more air, making quilts cozy.
• Structure – batting gives quilts body and weight.
• Texture – loft (thickness) affects how quilting stitches show.
• Durability – fibre content influences how a quilt ages and washes.

Batting comes in different fibres, lofts, densities, and blends, each with unique properties.

Key Qualities to Consider

Before diving into types, let’s look at the qualities that define batting:

• Loft: Thickness of the batting. Low loft is thin and flat, ideal for detailed piecing. High loft is fluffy, great for showcasing quilting stitches.
• Fiber Content: Cotton, polyester, wool, bamboo, silk, and blends each behave differently.
• Warmth: Natural fibres like wool and cotton provide breathable warmth, while polyester traps heat.
• Shrinkage: Cotton batting often shrinks slightly, giving quilts a crinkled, vintage look. Polyester resists shrinkage.
• Stitch Distance: Batting packages specify how far apart quilting stitches can be placed without the batting shifting.
• Washability: Some battings are machine-washable, while others require gentle care.
• Bonded are when fibres are bonded together by thermal or resin processes.

• Needle-punched the batting is mechanically felted together by thousands of tiny needles. Even at a low-loft, the batting is strong and dense.

• Scrim: Scrim acts like a foundation, keeping batting stable during quilting and washing and prevents stretching through a thin stabilizer needle-punched into the batting. Batting with scrim can often be quilted farther apart (sometimes up to 10 inches). Scrim helps cotton fibres stay anchored, reducing bearding (fibres poking through fabric).

Types of Quilt Batting

1. Cotton Batting

• Qualities: Soft, breathable, natural fibre. Provides a traditional feel with slight shrinkage after washing.
• Uses: Perfect for bed quilts, baby quilts, and projects where comfort is key.
• Pros: Durable, easy to quilt, gives a cozy drape.
• Cons: Heavier than polyester, may shrink 3–5%.

2. Polyester Batting

• Qualities: Lightweight, non-shrinking, resists mould and mildew. Available in low or high loft.
• Uses: Ideal for wall hangings (keeps shape), lightweight quilts, or projects needing bold stitch definition.
• Pros: Affordable, holds shape, easy to wash.
• Cons: Less breathable, can pill over time.

3. Wool Batting

• Qualities: Warm, resilient, naturally breathable. Wool batting has bounce and resists creasing.
• Uses: Winter quilts, heirloom projects, or show quilts needing texture.
• Pros: Lightweight yet warm, excellent stitch definition.
• Cons: More expensive, requires careful washing.

4. Bamboo Batting

• Qualities: Eco-friendly, soft, breathable, with natural antibacterial properties.
• Uses: Summer quilts, baby quilts, or projects for sensitive skin.
• Pros: Sustainable, drapes beautifully, resists odours.
• Cons: Less common, may be pricier.

6. Blended Batting (Cotton/Poly, Cotton/Wool, etc.)

• Qualities: Combines strengths of fibres (e.g., cotton’s softness with polyester’s stability).
• Uses: Everyday quilts, versatile projects.
• Pros: Balanced qualities, reduced shrinkage, affordable.
• Cons: May not excel in one specific area.

What Are Quilt Batting Blends?

Blended battings are made by mixing two or more fibres. For example, a cotton/polyester blend might be 80% cotton and 20% polyester. This combination reduces shrinkage, adds stability, and keeps the softness of cotton. Other blends include cotton/wool, cotton/bamboo.

Common Quilt Batting Blends

• Cotton/Polyester (80/20 or 70/30)
• Qualities: Soft, breathable, with added strength and reduced shrinkage.
• Uses: Everyday quilts, bed quilts, and projects needing durability.
• Pros: Affordable, easy to quilt, less shrinkage than pure cotton.
• Cons: Slightly less natural feel than 100% cotton.
• Cotton/Wool
• Qualities: Warmth and resilience from wool, softness from cotton.
• Uses: Winter quilts, heirloom projects.
• Pros: Excellent drape, breathable warmth.
• Cons: Higher cost, requires careful washing.
• Cotton/Bamboo
• Qualities: Eco-friendly, soft, antibacterial properties.
• Uses: Baby quilts, summer quilts, lightweight bedding.
• Pros: Sustainable, smooth drape, gentle on skin.
• Cons: Less common, may be more expensive.

·        Wool/Polyester

o   Qualities: Soft and easy to needle by hand or machine, Fine scrim to lock in fibres and prevent bearding.

o   Uses: Winter Bed Quilts, Heirloom Quilts, Show Quilts, Lap Quilts & Throws, Wall Hangings: Holds s

o   Pros: The stability of polyester with the performance of wool which gives a great loft that is ready to go, great for people with allergies.

o   Cons: Can be more expensive than cotton/poly blends, Requires gentler washing, Slightly heavier than polyester blends

 Why Choose a Blend?

• Balanced Performance: Blends combine softness, warmth, and durability.
• Reduced Shrinkage: Polyester or bamboo fibres minimize cotton’s natural shrink.
• Versatility: Suitable for both functional and decorative quilts.
• Ease of Quilting: Blends often allow wider stitch spacing and resist bearding (fibres poking through fabric).

Practical Tips for blends

• Check the fibre ratio: An 80/20 cotton/poly blend feels closer to cotton, while 50/50 feels more synthetic.
• Match to purpose: For heirloom quilts, cotton/wool blends shine. For everyday use, cotton/poly blends are reliable.
• Test drape and loft: Small samples help you see how blends behave under stitching.

Choosing which Batting to use

• Bed Quilts: Cotton or cotton blends for comfort and durability.
• Baby Quilts: Bamboo or cotton for softness and breathability.
• Wall Hangings: Polyester or high-loft batting to emphasize quilting designs.
• Winter Quilts: Wool or layered batting for extra warmth.
• Summer Quilts: Silk or bamboo for lightweight comfort.
• Show Quilts: Wool or polyester for crisp stitch definition.

Practical Tips for Quilters

·       Pre-Wash? Most battings don’t need pre-washing. Cotton may shrink slightly after quilting, adding texture. If you love the soft, puckered look after the first wash, skip prewashing. If you prefer a smooth, flat finish, or are concerned about chemicals, prewash cotton batting gently (soak, spin, air dry flat).

·       Storage: Keep batting in a dry, clean space to avoid dust and moisture.

·       Cutting: Always cut batting a few inches larger than your quilt top to allow for shifting during quilting.

·       Experiment: Try small projects with different battings to see how they feel and perform.

The Personality of Your Quilt

As one quilter put it, batting is “the personality of your quilt”. It decides whether your quilt feels light and airy, warm and cozy, or crisp and sculptural. Choosing batting isn’t just technical, it’s creative.

Think about:

• Do you want your piecing or your quilting stitches to stand out?
• Will the quilt be used daily or displayed?
• Is warmth or drape more important?

Conclusion

Quilt batting may be hidden, but it’s never insignificant. By understanding the types, uses, and qualities of batting, you can tailor your choice to each project’s purpose and personality. Cotton offers tradition and comfort, polyester brings stability, wool adds warmth and bounce, bamboo provides eco-friendly luxury, and blends strike a balance.

The next time you stand in front of the batting aisle, remember: this layer is the heart of your quilt. Choose thoughtfully, and your quilt will not only look beautiful but feel just right for years to come.