Which batting is best

Some types of quilt batting need to be quilted every 3 or so inches apart, while others will remain stable with quilting up to 12 inches apart. The way you plan to finish your quilt will help you decide which batting is best to use on a specific quilted project.

Some battings are great for hand quilting while others are better for machine quilting. Some battings will work well if you plan to tie the quilt, while others may not be good options for a tied quilt. Sometimes batting may have a thin layer of stabilizer, called scrim. This thin layer is needle-punched into the batting and provides additional strength to the batting. Batting with scrim often allows for further distance between quilting, but is not recommended for hand quilting. While it might not be the first thing you think about when it comes to quilting, the environmental impact of your quilt may be a factor you want to consider while choosing what goes on the inside of your quilt!

In more recent years, companies have begun making quilt batting made from recycled materials, such as recycled plastic water bottles. One final thing to consider is how you plan to baste your quilt. Cotton is a great choice for quilt batting, especially if your quilt top and backing are also made from cotton fibers. It not typically recommended for tied quilts. The shrinkage creates a crinkly or puckered look, so keep that in mind while choosing your batting.

It is then ready to be sandwiched. Which is the best batting for quilts? It really depends on what type of quilt you want to use it for. I do a lot of quilting and find that I can sometimes save a decent amount of money buying batting by the roll. If you do or plan to do a lot of quilting you might want to think about doing the same. Your local fabric store should be able to sell you a roll of batting.

You can also find some decent deals online. I watch Amazon and order whenever they go on sale. Hello and welcome to my site! My name is Shannon and I have been and avid quilter for over 20 years. My love of quilts came at an early age from my grandmother. I am a mother of 2 and lives in the US with her loving husband. Laundering — will this quilt need to be laundered frequently?

Do you want the batting to shrink? Warm or Cool — for bed quilts, is this to be a winter or summer quilt? Appearance — do you want a thin or a puffy look?

Bonded quilt battings contain a type of glue or bonding adhesive, which means the batting may become looser once the quilt is washed. This usually requires close quilting lines to make sure your quilt holds up over time. Pro Tip: Some battings specify an optimal quilting distance between rows of stitches.

Take a look at your quilting pattern and use this info to your advantage. There are two types of bonding: thermal and resin. Thermal bonding is made by adding a fine layer of low-melt polyester scrim, then applying heat. The low melt polyester melts and forms a light barrier on either side of the batting. Resin bonding is made by adding a glue-like substance to both sides of the batting that helps hold all the fibers together. Bearding refers to wispy fibers that eventually seep out of the quilt top, and is something to avoid.

This shedding is very annoying, and a good reason to go with a high-quality quilt batting from the start. However, it withstands washing better than a resin bonded batting. Batting comes in natural, bleached and black. Typically, you should use bleached batting in very light quilts, natural batting in quilts with predominantly cream or medium value colors, and black batting in predominantly dark quilts. This will keep any bearding camouflaged. Click here to cancel reply.

When using fusible batting layer quilt backing, batting and quilt top together. Use the wool setting on your iron, press from the center out pressing each area seconds. Once finished, allow quilt to cool, and repeat on other side. Needle punch batting is mechanically felted together by punching them with lots of needles. Because of this it's firmer and denser.

Needle punch batting is used for durable quilt backing, apparel and blankets. Loft - The weight and thickness of batting is measured by its loft. Low loft means thin, high loft means thick. Choose low loft if you want your finished project to have a flatter appearance, like for wall hangings and place mats. For a fluffier quilt or comforter, choose a high loft batting. Wool batting is usually the thickest batting.

Bamboo is the lightest loft of batting.