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As a quilter, I’ve learned that batting is the secret ingredient, the very heart of a quilt. It’s the unseen layer that defines the quilt’s final character—its warmth, its weight, how it drapes over a bed, and the texture it develops after that first magical wash. Choosing the wrong batting can turn a masterpiece into a disappointment. After years of experimenting with countless types in my own quilts, from baby blankets to king-sized heirlooms, I’m sharing my hands-on experience to help you choose the perfect soul for your next project.
No time to unravel the details? Here are the battings I trust completely and recommend to all my students. Each one excels in its own category.
| Image | Product | Best For | Material | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Warm & Natural Cotton Batting | Overall Performance | 100% Cotton | View on Amazon |
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Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 Cotton/Poly | Softness & Durability | 80% Cotton / 20% Poly | View on Amazon |
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Quilter’s Dream Cotton (Select) | Premium Quality | 100% Cotton | View on Amazon |
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Quilter’s Dream Wool Batting | Warmth Without Weight | 100% Domestic Wool | View on Amazon |
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Pellon Nature’s Touch Bamboo Blend | Silky Drape | 50% Bamboo / 50% Cotton | View on Amazon |
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This is the batting you’ll find in almost every quilt shop in America, and for good reason. Warm & Natural (often called Warm & White for the bleached version) is the reliable, all-purpose workhorse of the quilting world. It’s a low-loft, 100% cotton batting that is needle-punched onto a thin scrim, making it strong and stable.
My Experience: I’ve used this batting in dozens of quilts. It’s my go-to for bed quilts and lap quilts that will see a lot of use and washing. It’s dense enough to be durable but thin enough to be easily quilted on a domestic machine. After washing, it shrinks just a little (about 3%), giving the finished quilt that wonderful, slightly crinkled, antique look that so many of us love. The natural, unbleached color is perfect for quilts with darker or warmer-toned fabrics. It’s consistent, affordable, and delivers beautiful results every time.
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The Hobbs 80/20 blend is a phenomenon in the quilting community. It aims to provide the best of both worlds: the softness and breathability of cotton, combined with the strength and higher loft of polyester. It has become my personal favorite for quilts that are meant to be extra cuddly.
My Experience: The moment you handle this batting, you can feel the difference. It’s softer and lighter than 100% cotton battings like Warm & Natural. It quilts like an absolute dream, both by hand and by machine, because the needle just glides through it. The polyester content gives it a little more loft, which creates beautiful stitch definition, and it resists creasing. It still gives a lovely, soft crinkle when washed, but slightly less than all-cotton. It’s the perfect choice for a gift quilt where you want immediate softness right off the longarm.
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When I’m working on a competition quilt or a special heirloom, I reach for Quilter’s Dream. This brand is renowned for its exceptionally clean, high-grade U.S. cotton. Unlike needled battings, it uses a unique thermal bonding process, resulting in a consistent, strong batting without any scrims or resins.
My Experience: This batting is pure luxury. It’s incredibly soft from the start and contains virtually no “slubs” or cotton plant remnants, which you can sometimes find in other brands. The “Select” loft is their mid-weight option, perfect for giving a quilt substance without making it heavy. Because there’s no scrim, it is exceptionally soft and needles beautifully for hand quilting. It also creates a gorgeous, soft crinkle when washed. It is more expensive, but for a project you’ve poured your heart into, the quality is absolutely worth it.
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There’s something magical about wool. It provides incredible warmth while being surprisingly lightweight and breathable. For bed quilts destined for cold climates or for anyone who loves a lofty, puffy look, wool batting is an amazing choice. Quilter’s Dream Wool is my top pick in this category for its quality and performance.
My Experience: Quilting on this wool batting is a unique pleasure. It’s springy and resilient, so the stitches just seem to melt into it, creating the most spectacular texture and definition. The finished quilt is unbelievably cozy and warm but doesn’t feel heavy and oppressive like a thick cotton quilt can. It’s also naturally resistant to creases. I was worried about washing it, but this wool is specially processed to be machine washable on a cool cycle with minimal shrinkage. It’s perfect for making a quilt that feels like a warm, gentle hug.
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For modern quilts, wall hangings, or even garments where you want a fluid, graceful drape, bamboo batting is a fantastic choice. Pellon’s Nature’s Touch, a blend of 50% bamboo and 50% cotton, offers this incredible drape along with the softness and stability of cotton. It’s a departure from the traditional stiff quilt feel.
My Experience: This batting is noticeably different—it’s silky, soft, and very flexible right out of the package. I used this for a large, modern wall hanging, and the way it hangs is just beautiful; there’s no stiffness at all. It’s a very breathable batting, making it a great choice for quilts in warmer climates. It needles easily and behaves much like a high-quality cotton, but the end result is something that feels more like a luxurious blanket than a traditional bedspread. It’s a wonderful option when you want to create something with movement and flow.
Check Price on AmazonChoosing batting feels complicated because it’s the one part of your quilt you can’t see. But understanding a few key terms will empower you to make the perfect choice for any project. Let me break it down for you.
Loft simply refers to the thickness and puffiness of the batting. There is no “right” or “wrong” loft; it’s all about the look you want.
On every batting package, you’ll see a “quilt up to X inches apart” recommendation. This is the maximum space you can leave between your quilting stitches without the batting shifting or bunching up inside the quilt over time. Battings with a scrim (a very thin, non-woven stabilizer that the fibers are needled into) are stronger and allow for a much larger quilting distance (8-10 inches). Battings without a scrim are softer but require denser quilting (3-4 inches).
Generally, no. Most modern battings are designed to be used right out of the package. Pre-washing can cause them to stretch or distort. The slight shrinkage (especially in cotton) is part of what gives a quilt its classic texture. The only time you might consider it is if you are pre-washing your fabrics in very hot water and want to minimize all possible shrinkage.
Absolutely! Don’t throw away those leftover pieces. You can easily join them. Simply trim the edges so they are straight and butt them up against each other—don’t overlap them. Then, use a wide zig-zag stitch or a special fusible batting tape to join them. Your new, larger piece will work perfectly.
It’s purely an aesthetic choice. If your quilt top has a lot of bright white fabrics, you should use a white batting (like Warm & White or a bleached option) to ensure the natural color of unbleached batting doesn’t dull the white. For all other quilts with medium-to-dark fabrics, the natural, unbleached color is perfectly fine.
The batting you choose completes the story of your quilt. It determines how it feels, how it looks, and how it comforts. For an all-around reliable choice that gives that timeless look, you can never go wrong with Warm & Natural Cotton Batting.
If you’re creating a quilt meant for maximum snuggling and softness, the Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 is my top recommendation. And for that special project where you want incredible warmth and stunning stitch definition, treating yourself to Quilter’s Dream Wool will elevate your quilt to a new level of cozy.
Think about the final purpose of your quilt—will it be a flat, graphic wall hanging or a puffy, warm bed covering? Answering that question will always lead you to the perfect batting. Happy quilting!
