Quilting batting is a very vital component for any quilting project because it forms the hidden inner layer that makes a quilt warm, heavy and thick. Any person who quilts knows the importance of having not just any batting, but a good quality one because it improves the overall feel of the end product.
That said, there are different types of quilting batting, with each being suitable for a specific type of application. These types are mostly categorized according to the batting’s material and thus, there are several varieties of them, ranging from cotton to polyester and even wool.
With this in mind, this article looks at 5 of the best quilting batting that you can use in your different quilting projects.
Editor’s Choice Best Quilting Batting
Warm Company Batting 2391 Natural Cotton Batting , Twin
Warm Company Batting’s 2391 is the most affordable product in this review but this does not mean that it is substandard. It is actually made from USA-grown cotton, which means that you can trust its quality.
In terms of size, this batting measures in at 90 × 72 inches (twin size), which means that it is enough for quilting projects involving 39 × 75-inch mattress sizes. It is also available in a full size for larger quilting projects, but this comes at a slightly higher price.
For quality purposes, the product is punched with hundreds of needles through a thin polymer base and this makes it strong enough to resist tearing, separating, migrating or creeping through the quilt covers overtime to form a bunch on one side.
This means that the batting has a small percentage of polymer fibers in its structure and this is split into the ratio of 87.5% cotton and 12.5% polymer fibers. With a higher percentage of cotton in its composition, the product is actually very comfortable because it has a very soft texture.
The 2391 cotton batting is also very easy to use because first, its fibers are held together without any glue and thus, a needle can easily pass through when quilting. It also requires no prewash and thus, you can use it straight out of the packaging in any of your quilting projects.
Features at a glance
- Made from USA grown cotton mixed with polymer fibers in the ratio of 87.5:12.5.
- Comes in twin size but is also available in full size.
- Strong structure due to the cotton and polymer composition.
- Soft texture.
- Easy to use.
- Requires no prewash.
- Can be used as an exterior fabric.
- Easily dyes to change color.
Warm Company Warm Company Warm & Natural Cotton Batting Queen Size 90″X108″ 2341
This 2341 is another product from Warm Company Batting, but it is slightly different from the one above in that, it is the most expensive item in this review. However, it is also the top-rated product, which means that there is something about it that stands out.
For starters, the fabric is quite soft, constituting largely of 100% USA grown cotton mixed with polymer fibers in the ratio of 87.5:12.5. This means that you get a very comfortable end product, be it a quilt, wearable art or any other form of craft.
The ratio is achieved by punching the cotton using hundreds of needles through a thin polymer base and this is necessary because it prevents tearing, shifting or even migrating of the batting through the covering fabric, especially when washing the resulting quilt.
In terms of size, this batting measures in at 90 × 108 inches (queen size), which is a pretty big size and this explains its high cost.
For an easy fix, the product requires no prewash before use and thus, can be installed on your quilt straight out of the box. It is also machine washable after quilting and it can also be used as an exterior fabric, making it a little bit diverse in terms of use.
Features at a glance
- Very soft, owing to a large percentage of cotton material.
- Made using 87.5% USA grown cotton and 12.5% polymer fibers, making it strong enough to avoid shifting, tearing or even migrating inside the quilt covers.
- Measures 90 × 108 inches (queen size).
- Requires no prewash.
- Machine washable after quilting.
- Can be used as an exterior fabric.
Mybecca 48 Inch Wide (5 yards) Quilt Batting
Mybecca’s multipurpose batting is a polyester made product that measures multiple inches, sold in one continuous piece. It measures 48 inches wide by 108 inches long, which makes it big enough to use in a wide variety of applications.
Although polyester might not be as soft as cotton, it has the strength to hold its shape and thickness as compared to other fibers, even after washing. For this reason, it is the most preferred choice for several projects that include upholstery, school projects, and even home décor.
It can also be used to wrap around foam cushions in your sofas because it gives a relatively soft feel, but is still firm enough to even out any bumps, leaving you with a very comfortable seat.
In terms of thickness, this product measures a half inch thick and this means that it is very easy to cut and easy to needle through when using it on any quilt.
On the downside, polyester is not good for machine washing and thus, the quilt made using this product will not be ideal for such washing. It is also not breathable, but this gives it the benefit of not allowing mold growths, which are very unhealthy.
Features at a glance
- Made from 100% polyester material.
- Measures 48 inches wide by 108 inches long and with a thickness of half an inch.
- Strong enough to hold its shape even after multiple wash cycles.
- Easy to cut and needle through.
- Not ideal for machine washing.
IZO Home Goods 48 Inch Wide (5 yards) Quilt Batting
IZO home goods’ multipurpose Dacron batting is quite similar to Mybecca’s piece above in that, it is made using 100% Dacron polyester, which makes it very strong and stiff enough to retain its shape even after washing.
However, it is not recommended for machine washing because this may weaken its stiff structure. On the bright side, polyester is quite light and thus, it might be thicker than cotton batting but weight much less.
In terms of size, this product measures 48 inches wide (5 yards), 108 inches long and has a thickness of half an inch. This makes it big enough for your quilting project and thin enough for easy cutting and passing the needle through when making your quilts.
The batting is also available in a larger 10-yard size, which is slightly more expensive but gives you double the fabric size to work with.
Features at a glance
- Made using 100% Dacron polyester.
- Strong and stiff enough to retain its shape after washing.
- Very lightweight.
- Measures 48 inches (5 yards) by 108 inches.
- Also available in a 10-yard size.
- Measures a half inch thick, making it easy to cut and easy to pass the needle through.
Pellon WZ-2210 Wrap-N-Zap Batting
Pellon’s WZ-2210 is a wrap-n-zap batting and this means that it is safe for use in microwaves. This is because it is made using 100% cotton fabric, which enables it to trap the moisture inside so as to produce perfectly baked potatoes or steamed corn.
However, you should not leave the microwave unattended because the batting might tear apart. It should only be microwaved in two-minute intervals so as to maintain the integrity of the cotton fibers. Also, you should not microwave it for more than 8 minutes.
For this reason, this WZ-2210 is recommended for use in making insulated potato bags and casserole warmers, among many other types of insulated food bags.
In terms of size, this product measures in at 22 inches (55.8 cm) in width and 10 yards (914 cm) in length, which means that it is big enough for creating multiple food bags.
For cleaning, the batting is machine washable using cold water, but it should not be washed until it is covered in fabric (until the project is complete).
Features at a glance
- Made using 100% cotton fabric.
- Microwave safe.
- Should only be microwaved in 2-minute intervals for not more than 8 minutes.
- Ideal for making food bags.
- Measures 22 inches (55.8 cm) by 10 yards (914 cm).
- Machine washable using cold water.
Quilting Batting Buying Guide
Before buying any quilting batting, there are a couple of things that you should consider. These are:
Type
There are several types of batting and these are categorized according to the fiber that is used to make them. These are:
Cotton batting: Since it is made from 100% natural fibers, cotton batting is usually very soft and comfortable. Cotton is also very breathable and this makes it much more comfortable to use.
Polyester batting: Polyester is quite stiff and holds its shape and thickness for a longer time as compared to other fibers. For this reason, it is preferred for making beddings and cribs. It is also very affordable and lightweight for the same amount of thickness as other batting.
Cotton/Polyester blends: These usually combine the benefits of cotton and polyester batting, with most having a ratio of about 80% cotton and 20% polyester.
Wool batting: Wool batting is not very popular because it is very expensive. However, it has a very spongy feel that bounces back easily. It is ideal for warmth and resists creases.
Bonded batting: Bonded batting utilizes the use of a light adhesive on both sides so as to hold the fibers together and prevent shifting as well as bearding (when fibers push through the outer cover).
Needle punch batting: This type of batting is usually felted together mechanically using hundreds of needle punches to join two types of fabric. This results in a very durable quilt that does not shift or beard because the batting is firmer and denser. For this reason, this type of batting is suitable for blankets and apparel.
Size
This is a no brainer. The larger the batting size, the more material that you will have for your quilting project.
However, you should not just go for the largest size because if the quantity. Large sizes are more expensive and thus, the primary thing to consider is the quantity that you will need for your project.
You can get some measurement from the quilt covers that you have, then approximate the quantity that you will need. Since most batting is measured in inches, get your approximation in these units, then buy the appropriate size.
Thickness
Another thing to consider is the thickness. Very thin batting is easy to needle through and easy to cut, but it is not very warm. On the other hand, thick batting is ideal for creating warm quilts, but it might be harder to use when cutting or stitching through.
Easy to use
In considering the ease of use, some quilting batting requires a prewash and drying before use because they will shrink a little. On the other hand, some require no prewash and therefore, are easier to use.
Another thing to consider is whether the fabric is machine washable. Machine washable batting is easier to maintain because you won’t have to handwash the final quilt every time. However, it is important to check the conditions required for machine washing so that you do not mess up the inner layer.
For instance, some require only cold machine washing while others can only be machine washed after the quilt is done (after they are safely covered inside).
Conclusion
Choosing the best quilting batting can be quite a challenge if you do not know what to look for. This is because most of them look the same and thus, any of them can do. This means that you can easily pick the wrong product for your quilting project.
However, after going through the content above, you will be in a better position to differentiate the different types of these products so that you can select the best quilting batting that suits your project’s needs.
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