Pick the Right Batting
Looking at types of batting can be confusing. It is nice when you pick the right one for the quilt you have devoted several hours creating. My go-to kinds are 100% cotton, 80/20cotton/poly blends, and an 80/20 cotton/wool blend. I really loved working with the cotton/wool blend. The quilting stood out and the drape of the finished quilt was soft and cuddly. I would use it again in quilts where I want the quilting motifs to pop. My sister who is always cold was the recipient of this flannel queen size quilt.
helpful Tools
I discovered an extremely helpful tool back in 2016. I am re-posting this for those who may not have seen it or want to refresh their knowledge base.
Visit the Quilt Batting Selection Chart by the Curious Quilter at https://thecuriousquilter.wordpress.com/tutorials/cq-quilt-batting-selection-chart/.
The Curious Quilter has listed seven kinds: 100% cotton; cotton/poly blends; 100% polyester and 100% wool; 100% silk and 100% bamboo and 100% soy. She has filled in a chart addressing: washability; dry clean-ability; shrink-ability; loft thickness; loft qualities; quilting distance; level of warmth; hand quilting ease; machine quilting ease; and suitability for tied quilts. These are the significant bits of information you need when selecting a batting. The Curious Quilter did her homework before sharing the chart with us.
You will not find battings of alpaca, corn, flax, and recycled plastic bottles on this chart. Her footnote states one should always read the label for manufacturer information on any batting.
This chart tells you what to expect if you want to try something different. I can see benefits with each kind. 100% wool would make a warm quilt for winter and replace the stack of cotton batted quilts now on the bed. Choosing the right middle of the quilt sandwich based on how and where the quilt will be used is important.
looking at batting on screen
Looking at types of batting available on a computer screen has been a difficult switch for me. Going from being a person who is a “toucher” this is a whole new experience, but I’m adjusting! Plus, it saves me money if I order online since I don’t wander the aisles of fabric. There are always a few bolts calling my name! You can relate, right? I have relied on the chart to give me accurate information for trying something new.
Share your batting story
I would love for you to share your batting story. Do you have a favorite content and/or manufacturer? Does price influence what you use? Where do you normally buy batting? Do you purchase it by the yard or prepackaged by size? I order a roll when it is on sale. I do have some packaged batting like black and pink for dark or mostly pink quilts.
Prewashing and Doubling Up
I have never thought about pre-washing or doubling up batting. Bouncing a few around in a dryer to relax stubborn creases I have done. I’m just not a pre-wash person including my fabric.
I am reading some quilters are using two layers of batting in a quilt. This is a new concept to me. I am thinking they may be wanting some features of two distinct kinds. I will investigate this further and report on my findings in the future.
additional posts on batting
While looking through old posts, I ran across additional posts on batting.
https://www.handiquilter.com/thoughts-on-batting.
https://www.sewingwithstitcher.com/sandwich-time/. I have also written a post on making the quilt sandwich. I do not concentrate on types of batting, but thought you might be interested in going through the math formula for calculating the amount of backing and batting you will need for your quilt. /remember-the-batting.