Choosing Quilt Batting-Open Line Friday
Hello Quilters and Quilt-Lovers!
Welcome to Open Line Friday.
Everyone asks. Everyone answers.
Today I’d like to start the ball rolling with a discussion about batting.
There are many battings on the market.
Some of the fibers include:
- Cotton
- Wool
- Polyester
- Silk
- Bamboo
- Combination blends of the fibers
QUALITIES TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING BATTING
- How far apart can the quilt be stitched. (Usually varies between 4-10″).
- Does the fiber have memory–in other words, does it resist creasing?
- Does the fiber breath?
- Does the batting beard–fibers migrate through the top of the quilt?
- What is the cost of the batting?
- Is the batting readily available?
The two battings I use regularly are Hobb’s Dream Wool and Warm and Natural cotton.
WOOL FOR SLEEPING
I love wool for bed and lap quilts.
Wool holds up beautifully to washing--no dry cleaning necessary. In fact, it gets softer and better with repeated washings.
Wool has “memory” — it is crease resistant.
Wool breaths well-making it great for quilts you sleep under.
It is a bit more expensive than the other battings, but I think it is well worth it.
COTTON FOR VASE QUILTS, WALL HANGINGS, TABLERUNNERS
For my smaller vase quilts, I like Warm and Natural all cotton.
It is a little flatter which I like for small projects.
It also breaths well.
Warm and Natural cotton naturally clings to the top and bottom fabrics. Consequently, if the project is small enough, there is no need to baste.
Cotton is readily available and modestly priced.
(I have also used cotton for larger quilts–it also washes well!)
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BATTING AND WHY?
We’d love to hear!
Lori
NOTE-The Sunflower wallhanging was stitched with wool batting. Because wool has “memory” it pops up in areas where there is little stitching and has a “mock-trapunto” look.
PS…All tutorials, information and images are the property of Lori Kennedy of The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin, share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
Like you, I generally use one of two battings… wool or cotton. I use wool for bed quilts and lap quilts as much for the warmth as for the loft and drape. For wall or art quilts, I usually use cotton or cotton blends, depending how much loft I want for effects.