Guide to the Different Types of Quilting Fabric

With so many different types of fabric, colours and patterns available, understanding how to choose the best quilting fabric for your needs can be challenging, especially if you’re making your first quilt.

But making that decision is one of the keys to creating beautiful quilts that last a lifetime, quilts you’ll be proud of, and want to hand down to the next generation.

If you’re new to quilting, this guide will help you understand the most commonly-used types of quilting fabric so that you can make an informed and artistic choice for your project.

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Understanding the Different Types of Quilting Fabric

Quilts can be made from a range of different fabric types and cuts. However, there are some staples that every quilter uses. Let’s take an in-depth look at them.

Quilter’s Cotton: The Staple of Quilting

What is Quilter’s Cotton?

Cotton is the traditional choice for quilters, favoured for its durability, ease of use, and wide range of colours and prints.

When looking for the best quilting fabric, 100% cotton, often called “quilter’s cotton,” should be at the top of your list. It holds its shape well and has just the right amount of ‘give’ (or stretch) for easy piecing.

Quilter’s cotton is a mid-weight woven cotton fabric that’s the most commonly used quilting fabric. It’s available in a variety of solid colours, prints and patterns.

Does Quilter’s Cotton shrink?

Although quilter’s cotton is prone to initial shrinkage when washed, good quality quilter’s cotton shrinks less than cheaper materials. 

Traditional quilts will often shrink a little when first washed. However, this tends to enhance rather than detract from the quilt’s look.

Unless you’ve chosen brightly-coloured fabric and worry that the colours might bleed, I don’t recommend pre-washing your material. 

Another reason to invest in good quality fabric is that the colours are less likely to bleed.

I always recommend washing your cotton fabric before using it to check for colour fastness. The last thing you want is for the colours to bleed into each other.

Invest in Quality Fabric

Not all quilter’s cotton is manufactured to the same high standards, so make sure your fabric is made with high-quality warp and weft threads and has a firm weave.

Loosely woven fabric, such as muslin, will stretch and pull out of shape as you cut and stitch, while good quality quilter’s cotton will hold its shape. 

Be wary of buying fabric from discount fabric stores — their fabric is likely to be of poorer quality and more prone to shrinkage and colour bleed.

Discount fabric stores can sell inferior fabric at lower prices. While the price may be attractive, it’s much better to spend a little more on quality fabric to ensure your beautiful quilts last a lifetime. 

Batik: Unique and Colourful

What is Batik?

Batik fabric, usually made from cotton, offers a range of unique, vibrant designs.

Batik is made using a specialised resist dyeing process where molten wax is applied to the fabric before dying.

Later, the fabric is boiled in water to remove the wax. Every piece of batik fabric has a distinctive, appealing style.

Should Batik be pre-washed?

Pre-washing the fabric helps prevent the dye from bleeding into the surrounding fabric if you’ve chosen brightly-coloured batiks. However, unless you’re concerned about bleeding, as a general rule, I don’t recommend pre-washing fabric.

What does ‘high thread count’ mean?

Batik fabric has a higher thread count than regular quilter’s cotton, which means more warp and weft threads per square inch. The tighter weave and variety of colours and patterns makes it a popular choice for quilters.

Flannel: For Cosy Comfort

What is Flannel fabric?

Flannel quilts are warm and inviting, making them excellent for cooler climates or cuddly baby quilts. The fabric has a soft, napped (brushed or unbrushed) finish on one or both sides.

Flannel is typically made from cotton, wool, or synthetic fibres.

Unlike many other quilting fabrics, flannel has quite a loose weave, which contributes to its softness.

When choosing to use flannel, pre-washing helps prevent shrinkage later. It’s really your decision as to whether this matters, or not.

Precuts: Time-Saving and Coordinated

What are Pre-cuts?

Precut fabrics can be a boon for quilters, especially beginners or those wanting to save time.

Packs are available in various coordinated collections, which can simplify colour coordination. However, they may limit the customisation of your quilt, and it’s still important to ensure the precuts you choose are of high quality.

The varied sizes of pre-cuts

Types of precut fabrics, available in a wide range of colours, patterns and designs, include:

For a more detailed exploration of pre-cuts, refer to my article: A Guide to Pre-cut Quilting Fabric and How to Use It

Linen: Elegant and Timeless

What is Linen quilting fabric?

Linen quilting fabric, made from flax plant fibres, is a luxurious choice for quilting if you don’t want to use cotton but still want natural fibres. However, linen’s looser weave means it is prone to fraying and unravelling after cutting.

Using both linen and cotton fabric in quilts creates interesting textures and effects.

If you’ve decided to use linen for your quilt, purchase your fabric from well-known, reputable manufacturers such as Robert Kaufmann Fabrics. 

Quality Matters

Not all fabrics are created equal. Even within a specific type, like cotton, the quality can vary.

Higher-quality fabrics are denser, have a softer ‘hand’, and are a joy to work with. They usually have a thread count of around 68-78 threads per inch. 

They’re less likely to fray or stretch out of shape, making your quilting experience much easier.

Does Quilting Fabric Need to Be Washed Before Use?

Unless you’re using bold or bright colours and are concerned that the colours may run or particularly want to pre-wash your fabric, I don’t recommend pre-washing your fabric.

One situation where you may want to pre-wash your fabric is to remove any excessive ‘sizing’ or coating on the fabric. Sizing is a protective coating applied to yarns before being woven. It’s designed to increase the fabric’s ‘hand’ and quality. 

Sometimes starch is applied to fabric instead of sizing to give it a crisp feel. However, starch can lead to fabric becoming overly stiff. 

Design Selection

Choosing the best quilting fabric isn’t just about type and quality; the design plays a crucial role too. Here are some pointers:

Colour

Selecting a colour palette can be both a science and an art. You can start with basic colour theory: choose complementary colours for contrast, analogous colours for harmony, or a triadic colour scheme for a vibrant look.

Also, consider the mood you want your quilt to evoke—soft pastels for calm, bright primaries for energy, or rich jewel tones for sophistication.

Ultimately, your colour selection should reflect your personal taste and the story you want your quilt to tell.

Print or Pattern Size

Consider the size of your quilt blocks when choosing prints.

• Large prints work best in larger blocks, where the design can be fully appreciated.
• In comparison, smaller prints or solids might be better for smaller blocks.

Theme

Many quilts tell a story or follow a theme. Whether it’s a holiday, a love for nature, or a baby quilt, choose designs that contribute to the theme.

Understanding the Different Types of Quilting Fabric: Wrap-up

This short article has given you an overview of the most commonly-used and popular quilting fabrics. Choosing what’s best for your project involves understanding fabric types, assessing quality, and selecting suitable designs. 

While you can, technically, quilt with any fabric, some types are better suited for quilting than others.

• Natural fibres like cotton and linen are easier to handle and create durable, comfortable quilts.
• Synthetic materials, such as polyester, can be trickier to work with and may not give the same classic, cosy feel as natural fibres. Synthetic fabric is better suited for incorporation into art quilts and mixed media designs. 

Keep in mind that slippery, bulky, stretch, or sheer fabrics are the most challenging to work with and are generally unsuitable for traditional quilting. 

By putting thought into your fabric selection, you can create beautiful, durable quilts that reflect your skills and creativity.

As you grow in your quilting journey, you’ll develop a keen eye for spotting the best quilting fabric for every project.

Related Posts

• A Guide to Fabric Designs and How to Use Them
• A Guide to Pre-cut Quilting Fabric and How to Use It
• Quilting Fabric: How to Prepare and Care For It