Craftwright Quilts has access to all major batting manufacturers and directly source those for our customers, which decreases costs and reduces your shipping expenses for delivering your quilt to us.
While the batting is never seen, it is one of the most important decisions you can make regarding your quilt because it affects the look, feel, texture, warmth, and drape of your finished project.
Here are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing batting, and please don’t hesitate to ask Craftwright Quilts for a consultation:
Fiber Content
Battings are available in a wide range of fiber contents, with benefits and disadvantages to each.
- Cotton: Good for a soft, comfortable feel, and it’s usually easy to quilt. It can shrink slightly, which can give a quilt an antique look after washing.
- Polyester: Lightweight, non-shrinking, and holds its shape well. It provides more loft than cotton, which can give your quilt a puffier appearance.
- Wool: Excellent warmth and loft, and it’s naturally breathable. Wool batting can be a bit more expensive and may require special care when washing.
- Silk: Has a luxurious drape and is lightweight and warm, but it can be expensive and might require dry cleaning.
- Bamboo: Eco-friendly, soft, and with a good drape. It’s also naturally antibacterial.
- Blends: Combines the benefits of different fibers, such as an 80/20 blend of cotton and polyester. Blends can help balance warmth, durability, and ease of quilting.
- Quilters Dream 80/20 White (93 inches wide)
- Quilters Dream Wool (93 inches wide)
- Winline Bamboo Blend (93 inches wide)
Loft
The thickness of the batting is referred to as its loft. High-loft batting makes a fluffier quilt, while low-loft batting creates a flatter, more traditional quilt surface. Decide what you want in terms of the finished appearance and how it will be used. A high-loft batting might be better for a comforter, while low-loft could be more suitable for a wall hanging or a table runner. A higher loft batting will also highlight quilting designs more, so if you are investing in custom quilting you may want to consider a higher loft (or double) batting.
Warmth
If the quilt is intended for colder climates, you may want to choose a batting that provides more warmth, such as wool or a thicker polyester. In warmer climates, a lighter batting like cotton or bamboo might be preferred.
Color
Most batting comes in white or natural shades, but there are also black battings available for use with darker fabrics. Consider the color of your top fabric and whether any shadowing from the batting may be visible through lighter colors.
Care Instructions
Check the care instructions for the batting. Some can be machine washed and dried, while others may require special care. Consider how the quilt will be used and cleaned.
Sustainability
If you are concerned about environmental impact, consider using batting made from sustainable, organic, or recycled materials.
Allergies
Some people are allergic to certain fibers like wool or polyester. If the quilt will be a gift, make sure the batting material won’t cause any allergic reactions for the recipient.
Budget
Batting comes at different price points. Determine your budget beforehand, as this can significantly narrow down your options.
By considering these factors, you can choose the batting that best suits the needs of your quilting project and the preferences of the user. Craftwright Quilts primary uses [insert options], but has relationships with all of the major batting manufacturers to ensure we can obtain the batting of your choice at the best price available.