Choosing Quilt Batting
(Selecting the Perfect Loft, Fiber, and Drape)
@Professor Pincushion
@GEDesigns
@RileyBlakeDesigns
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Batting (or wadding) is the middle layer of your quilt sandwich. It provides the warmth, weight, and structure of your final project. Choosing the right batting can completely change the look and feel of your finished quilt.
Things to Consider:
- Project purpose (bed quilt, wall hanging, baby mat)
- Desired warmth and weight
- Machine quilting vs. hand quilting
- Allergies (wool vs. cotton/poly)
- Washability and shrinkage
Tips for Success:
- Always check the batting’s packaging for the maximum “quilting distance” (how far apart your stitches can be).
- Unfold your batting and let it rest overnight before basting to release wrinkles and creases.
- Cut your batting at least 2 to 3 inches wider than your quilt top on all sides.
1. Determine the Project’s Purpose
- Ask yourself how the quilt will be used. A soft, drapey bed quilt needs a different batting than a stiff wall hanging that needs to lay perfectly flat. Baby quilts often require batting that can withstand heavy, frequent washing.
2. Select the Fiber
- Cotton: Breathable, flat, traditional, gets soft and crinkly when washed.
Polyester: Lightweight, holds its shape, doesn’t shrink, very warm.
Wool: Excellent temperature regulation, puffy, great stitch definition.
Blends (80/20): 80% cotton and 20% polyester offers the breathability of cotton with the stability and slight loft of poly.
3. Consider the “Loft”
- Loft refers to the thickness or puffiness of the batting. Low-loft batting (like 100% cotton) creates a flat, traditional finish. High-loft batting (like polyester or wool) makes the quilting stitches pop and gives the quilt a puffy, cloud-like feel.
4. Check for Scrim
- Scrim is a thin grid of stabilizer needle-punched into the batting. It makes the batting very strong and prevents it from stretching during machine quilting. However, batting with scrim is much harder to needle by hand, so avoid it if you are hand-quilting.
5. Review the Quilting Distance
- Look at the package label. Some battings require stitches every 2 to 4 inches, while others (often those with scrim) can go up to 8 or 10 inches apart without the fibers migrating in the wash. Ensure the batting matches your planned quilting design!
Top FAQs for Choosing Batting:
What does 80/20 mean? +
80/20 refers to a highly popular batting blend made of 80% cotton and 20% polyester. It provides the soft drape and breathability of cotton, but the polyester adds a bit of strength, reduces shrinkage, and prevents deep creasing.
Do I need to pre-wash my batting? +
Generally, no. Most modern battings are designed to be used straight out of the package. When you wash the finished quilt, 100% cotton batting will shrink slightly (about 3-5%), which gives the quilt that desirable, traditional “crinkled” vintage look. If you want a perfectly flat quilt, you can pre-soak the batting, but check the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Which batting is best for hand quilting? +
For hand quilting, you want a batting that is easy for a needle to pass through. Look for 100% cotton without scrim, silk, wool, or a bamboo blend. Avoid heavily glazed battings or anything with a scrim, as they will tire your hands quickly.
