What Batting Should I Use?

I am always wondering what would be the best batting to use for each particular project.  Batting can make a huge difference in a quilt or quilted project.  I found this information yesterday on www.quiltviews.com, which I found most helpful.  Go check out their site - it is part of AQS and The Quilt Life, both magazines I subscribe to and really enjoy.

Have a great day!!

100% Cotton Batting

Care: Washable
Needling: Challenging by hand, easy by machine
Loft: Low
Weight: Medium
What’s good about it? Breathable, soft, insulating
What may be a problem: Shrinkage (need to preshrink unless you want that look), heavier than polyester

Wool or Wool & Cotton Blend Batting

Care: Dry clean or hand wash
Needling: Easy
Loft: Medium to High
Weight: Medium
What’s good about it? Warmth without weight in winter, soft, breathable, cool in summer
What may be a problem: May attract moths, more expensive, may beard

Silk Batting

Care: Dry clean
Needling: Easy, sometimes sticky
Loft: Low
Weight: Very lightweight
What’s good about it? Luxurious, drapes beautifully, warm without weight
What may be a problem: Expensive, may be hard to find, may beard

80%/20% or 60%/40% Cotton/Poly Blend Batting

Care: Washable
Needling: Easy
Loft: More flat than polyester, less flat than cotton
Weight: Depends on loft
What’s good about it? Shares good qualities of cotton and of polyester
What may be a problem: Possible shrinkage

Polyester Batting

Care: Washable
Needling: Easy. Higher lofts are more difficult to machine quilt.
Loft: Wide variety – up to very thick
Weight: Various
What’s good about it? Lightweight, warm, less expensive, non-allergenic
What may be a problem: Not breathable