Quilt batting is the soft, internal layer between fabrics that gives a quilt shape thickness and durability. When creating a quilt, it’s important to choose a high quality, appropriate batting to ensure that your quilt will remain strong and beautiful for years to come.
Types of Batting
There are several types of quilt batting. Some of these include:
-
Cotton
-
Polyester
-
Poly-cotton blended fabric
-
Wool
-
Silk
-
Bamboo
You can choose batting that is made from a blend of these fabrics, from organic versions or even from recycled fibers. Cotton and polyester blend fabrics are the most commonly chosen, but there are suitable types of fillers for every project and preference!
How to Choose the Right Batting for Your Quilt
The batting you choose for your quilting project should be complimentary to what kind of project you’re sewing. Do you need a thick end result for your quilt? Choose a batting type with extra loft. Need warmth without added weight? Choose wool batting. What about temperature-appropriate warmth, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer? That’s a job for cotton!
Some other factors to consider when choosing batting are:
-
Resiliency. How well will your chosen batting hold its shape?
-
Drapability. How soft and pliable will your finished quilt be?
-
Washability and shrinkage. Can you wash your finished quilt without damaging it, and how much shrinkage can you expect from doing so?
When all else fails, consider asking your retailer or browsing your merchant’s website for recommendations on which type of batting to use for your project. For those in Canada, is an excellent provider of quilting supplies, fabrics, patterns and more.
Always prioritize your quilt batting when purchasing your project supplies. While no one may ever see it once it’s sewn inside, it is the backbone of your quilt. Make it strong, make it soft, make it perfect!
