Quilting Batting Buying Guide

When it comes to quilting, choosing the right batting is just as important as selecting the perfect fabric and thread. Batting not only affects the weight, loft, and drape of your quilt, but it can also impact its warmth, durability, and overall appearance. With so many different types, brands, and sizes available on the market, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That's why we've created this quilting batting buying guide to help you make an informed decision and find the right batting for your next project.

What Is Quilting Batting?

Batting, also known as wadding or padding, is the layer of material that goes between the quilt top (the decorative layer) and the quilt back (the backing layer). Its purpose is to provide thickness, insulation, and texture to the quilt. Batting comes in a variety of thicknesses and materials, such as cotton, wool, silk, polyester, bamboo, and blends.

Types of Quilting Batting

Here are the most common types of batting:

1. Cotton Batting: Cotton is a traditional and popular choice for batting. It's soft, lightweight, and breathable, making it ideal for summer quilts, baby quilts, and hand quilting. However, it tends to shrink, wrinkle, and shift, and may require prewashing and frequent fluffing.
2. Polyester Batting: Polyester is a synthetic and affordable choice for batting. It's lightweight, non-allergenic, and easy to care for, making it ideal for machine quilting and high-traffic quilts. However, it's less breathable than cotton and may feel stiffer and less natural.
3. Wool Batting: Wool is a natural and luxurious choice for batting. It's warm, soft, and resistant to creases, making it ideal for winter quilts, wholecloth quilts, and art quilts. However, it's more expensive than cotton and polyester and may not be suitable for people with wool allergies.
4. Silk Batting: Silk is a rare and exotic choice for batting. It's lightweight, soft, and hypoallergenic, making it ideal for heirloom quilts, christening quilts, and delicate fabrics. However, it's the most expensive type of batting and may require special handling and care.
5. Bamboo Batting: Bamboo is a sustainable and eco-friendly choice for batting. It's soft, breathable, and antimicrobial, making it ideal for modern quilts, eco-friendly quilts, and people with allergies. However, it's less widely available than other types of batting and may be more expensive.
6. Blend Batting: Blend is a combination of two or more types of batting, usually cotton and polyester. It offers the benefits of both materials, such as softness, durability, and machine washability, while minimizing their drawbacks, such as shrinkage, stiffness, and shiftiness. However, the blend ratio may vary between brands and products, so make sure to read the labels.

Factors to Consider When Buying Quilting Batting

Before you buy quilting batting, consider the following factors:

• Intended use: What is the purpose of your quilt? Do you want it to be warm, cool, heavy, light, soft, or firm?
• Quilting method: What is your preferred quilting method? Do you want to hand quilt, machine quilt, or tie the layers together?
• Quilt size: What is the size of your quilt? Do you need a standard size batting, such as twin, full, queen, or king, or a custom size?
• Budget: What is your budget for batting? Batting can vary in price depending on the type, brand, and size.
• Care instructions: What are the care instructions for the batting? Some types of batting may require prewashing, fluffing, or special handling.

How to Choose Quilting Batting

Now that you know the types of batting and the factors to consider, here are some tips on how to choose quilting batting:

• Read the labels: Look for the type, size, content, loft, and care instructions on the batting labels. Make sure to choose a batting that matches your needs and preferences.
• Touch and feel the batting: If possible, touch and feel the batting before you buy it. This will give you an idea of its texture, loft, and softness.
• Get samples: Some quilt shops offer batting samples or swatch books. Get them and test them on a small quilt sandwich to see how they perform.
• Ask for recommendations: Ask other quilters, friends, or online communities for their favorite batting brands and types. Their experience and feedback can be helpful.
• Buy from a reputable source: Choose a reputable and trustworthy source for your batting, such as a quilt shop, online store, or manufacturer. This will ensure that you get a high-quality and authentic product.
• Consider buying in bulk: If you plan to make multiple quilts or quilts of the same size, consider buying batting in bulk. This can save you money and time in the long run.

Quilting Batting Brands

Here are some popular quilting batting brands:

• Warm and Natural: Warm and Natural is a cotton batting brand that is needle-punched and chemically-free. It's known for its softness, stability, and warmth.
• Hobbs: Hobbs is a batting brand that offers a wide range of types, such as cotton, polyester, wool, silk, and blends. It's known for its quality, consistency, and affordability.
• Fairfield: Fairfield is a batting brand that specializes in polyester batting. It's known for its loft, durability, and easy care.
• Quilter's Dream: Quilter's Dream is a batting brand that offers a variety of types, such as cotton, polyester, wool, silk, bamboo, and blends. It's known for its softness, drape, and breathability.
• Pellon: Pellon is a batting brand that offers a variety of types, such as cotton, polyester, wool, and blends. It's known for its quality, versatility, and value.

Conclusion

Choosing the right quilting batting can make a big difference in your quilting experience and the final result of your quilt. By considering the types, factors, and tips we've covered in this buying guide, you can find the perfect batting for your next project. Whether you prefer cotton, polyester, wool, silk, or bamboo, there's a batting out there for you. Happy quilting!