Every so often I get a question from a blog reader that I think others might want to know about so I answer it here on the blog. Today is one of those days.
After I showed off my finished Grand Illusion quilt I got a question from Shelia: Hi Jo, I was wondering what kind of batting do you like/use? I I love reading your blog everyday Thanks for being you and inviting us in to share your day.
Batting is always a touchy subject. Some quilters are very opinionated about their favorite battings…not me. I am so flexible. I don’t examine each quilt after each washing to see how it stood up. I don’t record each batting type in a quilt and then observe it as it drapes on my bed. I honestly just don’t really care about that. I am not a detail oriented person. I pick a batting with a few things in mind…cost is one…availability of batting is another, how it is to work with and how the quilt is going to be used for the last consideration.
I use Warm and Natural the most. It’s easily available, the price is reasonable and I’ve never had a problem with it. It is also very easy to work with. We used this for most of our book and publication quilts. The batting is more sturdy and we like it if quilts are hanging for photography.
I really like Hobb’s 80/20. It is much softer and it makes a quilt feel like it’s been washed several times already. It drapes well. It’s super cuddly. I don’t like working with it though. When tugging and moving the batting to get it in place it’s easy to get a hole-or thinning spot- in the batting…admittedly, this is Kelli’s first choice for any quilt that she is keeping.
I’ve used Quilter’s Dream and like it lots as it’s lighter weight. I love working with it. I stands up well. It’s more expensive though. For the amount of quilts I make and my “not pickiness” it’s not worth the extra money to me. I have a friend that sends he scraps of this to me and I hoard them up, piece them together and use them for quilt though.
For the most part, I only use the Hobb’s and Warm and Natural that I mentioned unless someone donates something else. I use up all of my scrap pieces of batting in charity quilts. If I only am working with two different brands it’s easy for me to put the scraps together to make patched battings for the charity quilts.
If you are looking for a wonderful educated response to this that talks about fiber quality, draping and how things stand up…I’m not your gal to ask. I am just not very picky.
So I am sure there are batting experts or even just readers with batting preferences or someone knowledgable in batting….Feel free to answer Shelia’s question in the comment section here. I’d love to read your responses too.
I’m with you on your Batting choices! Batting here in the UK is really expensive so I buy large pieces of it when I see it at a good price ( the big Festival of Quilts Show in Birmingham is a good source of offers). Both of the brands you use most I do too and, like you, I piece batting in order to use as much of it as I can. I don’t like polyester batting as I mostly hand quilt and it is very difficult to push the needle through polyester – it seems to get lost in the fluffy mass of batting!
Yup, I agree, Warm and Natural is an easy, affordable choice for me too.
I tend to combine Hobbs with polyester so my quilts are extra warm. Mainly because I can’t find fluffy batts anymore. Seems like there are only thin ones available nowadays. Since I don’t “emboss” my quilts with fancy stitching, only stitch in the ditch, it doesn’t matter. No hand quilting any more.
Thanks! I fairly new and do not have enough quilts under my belt to know the difference. I have run across the quilt shop that only sells the specif batting, after spend more money on the batting that was pushed on me I did not notice a diffrence. I would rather use the Warm and Natural that I can use a coupon on, and spend more $$ on fabric!
Try the Pellon Natures Touch. It’s sold At Joann’s so easy to get. It’s cotton but more drape able thAn Warm and Natural. Price is about the same. I LOVE QuilTears Dream too but way too pricey for everyday.
If I put a lot of work into a quilt for myself I LOVE wool batting. It’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Very lightweight and it breaths and also drapes nicely.
I use Hobbs 80/20 a lot as well. Same reasons — I’m not picky, it’s readily available, and with a 40 or 50% off coupon at Michaels, where I usually get it, a queen-size batting is about $18. Can’t beat that!
OK I’m probably going to get shunned, but I buy my batting from Walmart! I LOVE the Pellon 80/20 blend! It is thick and even and wonderful and less than 3.75 a yard! I purchase the 9 yard bolt x96″ and have it shipped free to the store and then pick it up!
Hobbs 80/20 is also my choice with a bamboo blend a close second. Both hold up really well with washing.
Comparing Hobbs 80/20 and Warm & Natural:
Which do you ladies think is warmer? I have both right now and need to finish a quilt that is intended for someone who lives in a very cold house.
Thanks for any imput.
Quilter’s Dream poly select for exceptional warmth. I froze out some friends in our guest bedroom, having a quilt on the bed that I used Warm & Natural as the batting.
Great post and comments! I bought Warm & Natural on sale a while ago, but now I am also going to look at some of the other brands, including Walmart’s! Thanks!
I have found that Warm and Natural beards with heavy use. I don’t like the feel of Hobbs 80/20 and it tears easily. I love quilting with wool, bamboo and Quilter’s Dream battings. I only use their Dream Angel for quilts for babies and for older folks who can’t get out from under a quilt just in case of fire – the batting is fire retardant. I like poly for showing off my quilting and will use a double batting of wool and poly or wool and cotton for wall hangings to really show off the quilting and to give major body to the quilt so it doesn’t sag after a few years.
Well, I will humbly admit that I tried the batting that you can iron baste. It is supposed to temporarily baste together all 3 layers of the quilt by using a steam iron. (Just lay out all 3 layers and use steam iron on the top). It did not work well for me. I was able to get the top to stick to the batting very well, but the backing didn’t stick well to the batting. Even flipped the whole sandwich over and tried steaming it with the backing on top, but didn’t make a difference. It’s a polyester batting and I have only used cotton or wool in the past, so was wary of the polyester factor too, in addition to the adhesive quality. I am in process of machine quilting at this point and that is going well. It’s been easy to quilt and actually has a nice drape to it. It’s a throw size quilt, so not too big.