I get asked all the time about what batting I use. My standard answer is, it all depends. Helpful, right?
But it’s true!
For hand quilting, I like Quilter’s Dream Cotton Request. It is 100% cotton and easy to needle, but it also feels sturdy and it gives vintage tops the look I like.
When I do use poly batting, I want something lightweight. I prefer Fairfield Poly Featherweight. It is great for t shirt quilts and quilts with a minky type of backing. It adds loft, but not weight.
For Quilts of Valor, and most of my own quilts, I use a cotton/poly blend. The poly adds a bit more loft which can be more forgiving than 100% cotton if a top is not perfectly flat to begin with. I most often buy Pellon Legacy 80/20. I like this batting a lot, partly because it is reasonably priced and I go through a lot. I also like Hobbs 80/20.
It shrinks up a bit when washing to give the crinkle I love, but thanks to the poly, it retains the texture.
For my tiniest quilts, I love using Mountain Mist Blue Ribbon 100% Cotton batting. It has to be quilted 1/4 inch apart of it will fall apart. Sadly, it is no longer produced. I’ve snagged a few rolls at estate sales.
I hope this is helpful. Have a great day!
Thank you. That was helpful.
I love knowing what other quilters batting choices are! Great post!
Thanks for the info. Some you mentioned I’ve tried and didn’t like and some I will have to try. Blessings. Diane
Hi Katy! Thanks for the suggestion on batting for a t-shirt quilt. I have two to make soon, and the last one I made I used cotton. It was heavy!! Happy Happy Thursday to you. ~smile~ Roseanne
This is helpful, Katy. I need to experiment with more types of batting. I also need to label my scraps. I tend to just use the scraps that are in the pile. Fortunately, they are all basically the same, but it would be good to get in the practice of labeling them.
Thanks for the information; you mentioned a couple I haven’t used and it’s good to know what others prefer.