Take a deep dive deep into the world of quilt batting. Discover what it is, how it’s used, its different types, and essential factors to consider when choosing the best batting for quilting — both traditional and art quilting.
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What is Quilt Batting?
Quilt batting, often known as wadding, is at the heart of every quilt. It’s the layer sandwiched between the quilt top and the backing fabric that provides warmth and thickness and helps define the quilt’s stitching lines.
Batting plays a pivotal role in both traditional and art quilting, influencing the quilt’s drape, texture, and overall appearance.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Quilt Batting
Choosing the best quilt batting involves considering various factors:
Loft
The ‘loft’ of a batting refers to its thickness, or how puffy it is. So, high-loft batting gives quilts a puffy look, while low loft batting is quite thin, providing a flatter appearance.
Quilt Type
The type of quilt you are making, whether traditional or art quilt, wall hanging, or bed quilt, can influence your batting choice. Winter-weight bed quilts typically include puffy, high-loft batting.
Warmth
Consider the desired warmth of your quilt. Wool and polyester battings offer more warmth than cotton or bamboo. So, an important consideration is whether you are making a winter-weight, summer-weight, or all-year-round quilt.
Drape
If you want your quilt to drape softly, opt for soft, flexible batting with good drape, like silk or bamboo.
Care
Consider how the quilt will be laundered and how often. Some battings, like wool and silk, may require special care.
Types of Batting for Quilting
Quilt batting comes in various types, each with its own characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, and specific uses.
Here are some of the most common types of quilt batting:
Cotton Batting
Known for its breathability and softness, cotton batting is a popular choice for both traditional and art quilting.
It tends to shrink after the first wash, giving the quilt a puckered, vintage look. Of course, art quilts are rarely, if ever, washed, so the potential for shrinkage will not be a problem.
Polyester Batting
Lightweight and affordable, polyester batting holds its shape and thickness well. It’s an excellent choice for quilts that require high loft.
However, remember that polyester batting poses a greater fire hazard than natural fibres, which will either singe or won’t burn at all.
Wool Batting
With its warmth and availability in various lofts, wool batting is ideal for cosy winter quilts.
Low-loft wool batting is also favoured by art quilters for stability and ease of use.
Silk Batting
Luxurious and soft, silk batting provides excellent drape, making it perfect for wearable quilts. However, it’s more expensive and may require special care.
Bamboo Batting
Eco-friendly and naturally antibacterial, bamboo batting is soft, breathable, and drapes beautifully. It’s an excellent choice for lightweight summer quilts.
Best Batting for Different Types of Quilts
Here are some of the best quilt battings for different types of quilts:
Traditional Quilts
Cotton and batting are popular with traditional quilters.
Warm & Natural Cotton Batting is an excellent choice due to its softness, warmth, and slight shrinkage for a traditional look.
Quilter’s Dream 100% Cotton Batting is a high-quality, mid-loft batting that is ideal for summer-weight quilts, wearable quilted garments, and art quilts.
Hobb’s Tuscany 100% Washable Wool Batting has a medium-high loft, is resistant to ‘bearding’ (when fibres work their way through to the top of your quilt), and is a popular choice with traditional and art quilters.
Art Quilts and Wall Hangings
Textile artists use a variety of battings in their work. Although guided by what they are making and how the item will be displayed, the most common choice is low-loft, cotton, poly/cotton, wool, or bamboo batting.
Quilters Dream Bamboo/Silk Blend is a mid-loft batting that is ideal for art quilts, wall hangings, and bed quilts or throws.
The environmentally friendly fibres are blended and needle-punched to provide softness, strength, breathability, and soft drape.
Angel Crafts 100% Cotton Batting is easy to stitch, has a low loft, and is resistant to shrinkage.
Available by the roll or in various pre-cut sizes this batting is ideal for art quilting, upholstery, pillows, and appliqué.
As mentioned earlier, Hobb’s Tuscany 100% Washable Wool Batting is also great for art quilts and wall hangings.
Summer Quilts
Bamboo and cotton battings are ideal for summer-weight quilts.
Quilters Dream Bamboo/Silk Blend Batting is low-loft, lightweight, breathable, and perfect for summer quilts.
Quilter’s Dream 100% Cotton Batting is an extra-thin batting that’s also perfect for summertime use.
Winter Quilts
Medium-high wool loft batting is perfect for making snuggly, warm and cosy winter-weight quilts. There are many wool or wool blend battings available, including:
Quilter’s Dream Wool/Poly Batting, manufactured from fine merino wool and polyester, is machine washable and has a beautiful drape.
Hobb’s Tuscany 100% Washable Wool Batting is a popular mid-loft batting.
When selecting your winter-weight batting, read the product description carefully. Even products described as ‘wool’ or ‘cotton’ may, in fact, be wool or cotton blends with polyester.
Fire-Resistant Batting
If you want your quilt to be fire-resistant, choose the best batting for the purpose. Of course, this is in addition to considering the flammability of your quilt backing and top fabric. Use cotton or poly/cotton fabric, where possible, for your quilt top and backing.
Fire-resistant batting is typically made of either inherently flame-resistant fibres or has been treated with a flame-retardant chemical.
This batting is often used for children’s quilts, home decor (e.g. oven mitts), or clothing items.
An example of fire-resistant batting is Hobbs Thermore Ultra-Thin Batting, made from 100% polyester and thermally bonded to provide a measure of flame resistance.
Another is Quilters Dream Angel, a flame-retardant batting made from fibres specially engineered to be flame retardant. It is also soft, drapeable, and easy to stitch, making it an excellent choice for machine and hand quilting.
➡️ However, it’s essential to note that while these battings are flame-resistant, they are not entirely fireproof. Care should always be taken with quilts near open flames or high heat.
As with any quilt batting, when choosing a fire-resistant batting, you should consider the project requirements, the batting’s loft, drape, and how it will be cared for.
As always, remember to read the product’s specifications and reviews before making a purchase to ensure it fits your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Quilt Batting for Traditional and Art Quilts
Whether you’re a novice quilter or a seasoned pro, questions about quilt batting are common. Let’s tackle some of the most frequently asked questions about quilt batting for both traditional and art quilts.
Q. What is the best quilt batting for machine quilting?
A. For machine quilting, mid-loft batting is often a good choice. Cotton batting, such as ‘Warm & Natural Cotton Batting,‘ provides a good balance between density and breathability, making it easier to handle in a machine. Additionally, a blend of cotton and polyester, like ‘Quilters Dream Blend,’ gives you the benefits of both materials and works well for machine quilting.
Q. What is the best quilt batting for hand quilting?
A. You’ll want a batting that’s easy to needle through for hand quilting. Many hand quilters prefer 100% cotton batting or a cotton/poly blend due to their needle-punched processing technique, making them easier to stitch by hand.
- Warm & Natural Cotton Batting and Hobbs Heirloom Cotton/Poly Blend Batting are both excellent choices for hand quilting.
- Wool batting, like Hobbs Tuscany Wool Batting, can also be a good option as it is lightweight and easy to needle while providing a nice loft and warmth.
As always, the best batting will depend on the specific project and personal preference. Experimenting with different types will help you find the best one for you.
Q. Can I piece together leftover batting for a quilt?
A. Absolutely! Quilters often piece together batting scraps, especially for smaller projects or practice pieces. Make sure the pieces are butted right up against each other and sewn with a wide zigzag stitch. Try to align the same types of batting together to maintain a consistent loft and texture.
Q. Do I need to pre-wash batting?
Typically, pre-washing batting isn’t necessary. Most batting manufacturers have taken the shrinkage factor into account during production. However, if you want a finished quilt without the puckered, antique look that can occur after washing, pre-washing cotton batting may be an option. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Q. How far apart can I quilt when using batting?
A. The quilting distance varies depending on the type of batting. Some battings, like cotton, require closer quilting lines, often between 2-4 inches. Others, like polyester, can withstand wider spacing. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations for quilting distances.
Q. Can I use two layers of batting in a quilt?
A. Yes, you can use two layers of batting in a quilt. This practice is called “double batting” and is common when making extra warm quilts or when you want to highlight the quilt’s texture, especially in show quilts or art quilts. Keep in mind that this will affect the quilt’s drape and weight.
Q. What is the difference between black and white batting?
A. The colour of batting is typically a personal preference and depends on the quilt top and backing fabric colours. Black batting, like ‘Quilters Dream Black Poly,’ is ideal for quilts with dark or vibrant colours, as it helps prevent light batting from showing through the fabric. Conversely, white or natural batting is perfect for lighter-coloured quilts.
Q. How do I decide which side of the batting goes up?
A. Batting often has a ‘right’ side and a ‘wrong’ side. The ‘right’ side appears rougher or more ‘pilled’ and is designed to grip the quilt top, while the smoother ‘wrong’ side allows it to glide over the backing fabric. However, this may only be apparent in some batting types. If it isn’t clear, don’t worry—your quilt won’t be significantly affected.
Best Batting for Quilting: An Informed Decision
Choosing the best quilt batting is just one of several important decisions you’ll make when preparing a new quilt project.
Understanding the different types of batting and considering factors like quilt type, loft, warmth, drape, and care will help you make an informed choice.
Whether you’re creating a traditional or art quilt, the right batting will help bring your vision to life.
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