On the hunt for batting for your hand quilting habits? They might as well be necessities. Homemade products are always the best if you think about the economic side.
Also, the comfort and love that goes into making a quilt outweigh any cons. But you have to have the best batting for hand quilting; otherwise, it’s going to make your life hard, and that’s going to be the end of your therapeutic quilting sessions!
This article is all about cotton battings. So, if you’re a fan of those, then make sure to read through to the end. It’s going to make your life a hell of a lot easier.
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Our 7 Best Batting for Hand Quilting
In this review, we’ve selected 7 of the most highly sought-after quilt batting and did a short review of them. After reading them, you should know which of them will serve you better.
1. COMPANY (2131) Warm and Natural Cotton Batting by The Yard, 90-Inch by 40-Yard
The Warm Company is very well-known in the world of quilt batting. Most professional and amateur crowds have been using this product, and it doesn’t disappoint at all. It’s a natural all-cotton fabric with a large surface area of 90-inch by 40-yard.
Although it’s listed under “hand quilting,” don’t let that fool you. If you fancy machine quilting, then this specific quilt batting is just as compatible. It might as well be the best batting for machine quilting too.
As with all good quality cotton batting, this one features the usual qualities such as thickness and softness. You’ll feel it pretty smooth and light on your skin. It doesn’t bunch or beard under extreme use. Of course, every product has its limit in terms of use and longevity.
Produced in the United States, this fabric is punched with a hundred needles to prevent any shifting or tearing. And it doesn’t shrink after washing. So, pre-washing isn’t necessary, but you might as well do it to make sure of it.
How you’re going to stitch it is up to you. Our recommendation is around 10-inch width. With soft and lightweight characteristics, this batting is perfect for all-season use.
Highlighted Features
- Well-known brand guarantees quality
- 100% cotton fiber content
- Soft and lightweight
- No need to wash before quilting
- Big size
2. Angel Crafts and Sewing Cotton Batting for Quilts: Purely Natural All Season Quilt Batting
Angel Crafts is one of the most popular brands on the market, and if you talk with customers, you’ll find that the satisfaction level is quite high. Their quilt battings are natural and rated at 100% cotton.
It’s a no-brainer that this is the best batting for quilt as you go and usable in all seasons. The thickness is the standard thickness at 1/8th of an inch. And you’ll find it quite easy to needle and sew with the hand. With a machine, it’s a breeze.
Unlike old quilt battings, you are not required to pre-wash the fabric before sewing. It doesn’t shrink easily, and even if it shrinks, it’s very minimal. No separation, bunching, or shifting are to be expected once you’re done sewing.
Cotton is as always soft on the skin. At night, when your skin gets colder, a blanket covered with this fabric will bring enough warmth for a comfortable sleep. It’s been tested without fail. And don’t think it will deteriorate easily.
The recommended width for stitching is around 8-inch apart. You can stitch up to 10-inch apart if you want. More than that, it’s going to weaken the stitching structure.
Highlighted Features
- Natural 100% cotton with standard thickness
- Soft and warm on the skin
- Appropriate for both machine and hand quilting
- No pre-washing required
- Low weight
3. Warm Company Batting 2391 72-Inch by 90-Inch Warm and Natural Cotton Batting
This cotton batting is from the same company as the first on our list. It’s a little different than the previous one, as this is a twin size batting for a single unit. We regard it as the best batting for hand quilting at this price.
At a size of 72-inch by 90-inch, this twin-sized batting will suffice for a couple of use. It’s great for indoor and outdoor use, and that means taking it during camping won’t compromise its quality.
There is absolutely no need to pre-wash this piece of batting like the olden days. Why would you when it doesn’t shrink as much and none at all most of the time? It comes ready to be sewed, and it’s fine for machine quilting if hand quilting isn’t your forte.
What about washing? After you’re done quilting, it’s certified for machine wash. It won’t tear, shift, or show beard after a long time of use and washing, thanks to the 100% natural cotton fiber content.
And with cotton comes softness and smoothness. It performs well as an all-season quilt thanks to its lightweight properties. Hands down, it’s the best batting available for hand quilting.
Highlighted Features
- It’s compatible for indoor and outdoor use
- 100% cotton, twin-sized quilt batting
- There’s no need for pre-wash
- Machine washable
- You can quilt with a machine
- Lightweight and soft to touch
4. Ultra Clean Pellon Natural Cotton Batting With Stabilizing Scrim Binder
Pellon battings are a popular type of batting that comes in different varieties of composition, such as natural and blend. The brand Ultra Clean is a small brand, but that doesn’t take away its ability to provide good quality cotton batting value-wise.
This product is a roll with a length stretching up to 9 yards and has a 96-inch width. You can make quite a few twin quilts with this one. One of the important features of this batting is the inclusion of a scrim binder. Scrim binders make for stronger and more stable fabrics that will last long years.
It’s natural and 100% cotton, so it isn’t surprising that it’s light as well as soft. These fabrics are known to perform throughout the year, no matter what season you’re in. The scrim binder makes sure it keeps its shape in both indoor and outdoor use.
Tearing, shifting, and bearding are three of the worries with quilt battings. You can rest assured that you won’t face these factors in your long years of use. It’s suitable for both hand and machine quilting with very little shrinkage.
You won’t need to pre-wash the batting, but you can wash it just to be sure. And it’s machine washable. Tumble dry mode is recommended.
Highlighted Features
- Natural and 100% cotton
- Doesn’t shrink much to require pre-wash
- Standard thickness
- Lightweight
- Can be used in all seasons
- You can wash it in a machine
5. Quilters Dream Natural Cotton Request Batting
As far as brand names go, Quilter’s Dream is fairly known amongst the community. Of course, it hasn’t made a big name due to the big players on the market. But value-wise, Quilter’s Dream provides good quality cotton batting.
This quilt batting unit comes in king size at 122-inch by 120-inch, enough to cover a king-sized bed. If you’re looking for a big size batting that’s lightweight and soft, then this is a good choice. It’s one of the finest from America.
In terms of thermal value, its scores are off the charts. It feels warm and soft, as well as lightweight. While using, you almost don’t feel it on your skin, but it’s there comforting you through the night.
You can stitch keeping up to 8-inch width between stitches, and it gives you quite a bit of freedom while designing it. It’s completely okay for both machine and hand quilting if you’re asking. Do it whichever way you prefer to do. Quilting is all about comfort.
When you’re done quilting, there comes the question of washing. Or should you have washed it earlier? No need. It requires no pre-wash, and it’s machine washable in both cold and tumble dry mode.
Highlighted Features
- 100% natural cotton
- Low loft
- Environment friendly
- Durable and lightweight material
- Needle-punched and tear and shifting proof
- High thermal value for cold nights
6. Pellon Batting Cotton Natural Blend 80/20 With Stabilizing Scrim Binder
At number 6 on the list, we have another Pellon batting. But it has a different composition. With 80% cotton, this product is classified as a natural cotton blend and not 100% cotton. So bear that in mind while checking it out. In terms of quality, there isn’t much to point finger at.
It’s a quilt batting roll that is 9 yards long and 96 inches wide. You can make single or twin sized battings out of it. The batting has a polypropylene scrim binder. Scrim binders make batting more stable and stretch less compared to battings without scrim binder.
As it’s a blend material, it’s better to wash it before you start to make the quilt. According to its makers, it’s going to shrink around 3-5% after washing. Although that is not excessive, doing a pre-wash will save you from unexpected trouble.
With an allowance up to 8-10 inches width between each stitching, you’ll get a lot of room to be creative with your design. It’s quite good for hand quilting and easier to quilt than 100% cotton battings as the material feels more stable. But it does also make it heavier.
It’s machine washable, and you can quilt it using machines also. You’ll find it an excellent choice for darker fabrics and a good choice for lighter fabrics.
Highlighted Features
- Compatible with both hand and machine quilting
- Natural blend with a high percentage of cotton
- More stable than 100% cotton, but it’s also heavier
- There’s no stiffness while having a strong structure
- Sports a scrim binder for stability
7. Hobbs WL90 Count Batting Heirloom Wool, 90″ x 108″
Last but not least on this list is the only wool batting from Hobbs. Wool batting is a much heavier alternative to cotton battings. In terms of price, although there isn’t much difference between the two, the wool battings do cost a bit more. If wool is your thing, then this one is worth checking out.
Measuring 90-inch by 108-inch, this wool batting is sufficient for a twin or twin xl quilt. It is wool, so there is a bit of weight and thickness to go with it. Using it indoors or outdoors is fine as long as the weather isn’t too harsh. As far as blend fiber contents go, this one is at the top.
Now, you may know, wool is all about holding in heat, and during a cold night, you’ll be fairly comfortable, but it can make life hard when there’s high humidity. So, make sure it goes with your seasons’ demands.
There might be a certain smell from the wool, which isn’t necessarily bad, but it does hit your nostrils when sleeping. Just a couple of washing will get rid of it. It comes pre-cut in boxes, just sew it up and fill.
There’s very little shrinkage (0-3%) that you don’t need to worry about. It resists bearding and shifting. Wash it in the machine in the dry flat with a gentle cycle. Stitch width is allowed up to 4-inch apart.
Highlighted Features
- 100% wool fiber content
- Very little shrinkage with highest 3%
- Size sufficient for twin size quilts
- Wool material is all about insulation
- Absorbs moisture without giving you a feeling of dampness
- Spray bonded to resist bearding and shifting
Factors to Consider While Buying Batting for Hand Quilting
When it comes to buying any product, there are some do’s and don’ts to follow. These will make your purchase worthwhile. And buying quilt batting needs the same approach if you’re going to get the best out of your money. There are certain factors here, and they are described briefly below.
Loft
The loft is the thickness and weight of the batting. Batting with low lofts have a low thickness, and high loft battings have the opposite. If your target is a flat smooth surface, then low loft batting is perfect for you.
Fluffier looks and feel are more achieved by high loft battings. Wool is the thickest of them all, and it’s different in other areas also. Bamboo is the lightest material, and it can perform better with a cotton blend.
Fiber Content
In our article, we’ve featured mostly 100% natural cotton with a few blend materials. All in all, there are several kinds of battings available. Such are Cotton, Polyester, Wool, Cotton/poly blends, Bamboo, Bonded, fusible, etc.
The fiber in your batting can have different compositions from all-natural to all synthetic, as well as a blend of both. Each has its own characteristics in terms of thickness, softness, insulation, and all-season use.
Blend fiber content can include different percentages of cotton, polyester, and bamboo. The final product reflects the characteristics of the material that is used in the highest percentage.
Shrinkage
The choice of fiber depends on personal preference. There’s no wrong or right answer here. But one thing to keep in mind is the amount of shrinkage in each type of batting. All of them shrink to an extent, with some shrinking more than others.
Quilting Method
How you are going to make your quilt can sometimes affect your choice of batting as not every batting is good for both machine and hand quilting. High loft batting isn’t very good for hand quilting but works very well with machine quilting.
Finding the hand quilting batting isn’t hard. Most 100% natural cotton or cotton-poly blends are compatible with your hand quilting techniques.
Price
The aspect depends on what type of product you’re going to buy. If you’re going to buy one unit of quilt batting, it’ll cost differently than it’d have been if you bought a roll or a bundle. If you’re going to quilt for your own use, then buying single unit battings is a better choice.
Polyester is the least expensive among them; cotton comes second, and wool is the costliest one.
Thermal Value
Insulation is a great factor, especially in colder countries. Wool has the highest insulation and thermal value. But in summer, wool loses to cotton as cotton has a good balance of thermal value in both winter and summer.
Scrim Binder
These are a great invention in the world of quilt battings. These can increase the stability and durability of battings without even changing their fiber content. These are made from polypropylene.
Your batting can be safe from tearing, bearding, shifting, etc. problems for a longer period with scrim binders.
Size
What size you’re going to buy wholly depends on your need. The battings are available in single units, rolls, and bundles. Their width is limited, so you can’t buy batting with a 90-inch width and make a king-size quilt with it. Buy according to the width you need for your use.
Different Types of Quilt Batting
When it comes to quilting batting, you’ll find different types. They can differ in their texture, thickness, and fiber content.
1. Based on Texture/Appearance
In terms of texture, there are various degrees of texture designs available. But they don’t differ in comfort. It’s just everyone’s preference.
2. Based on Thickness
You’ll see thin and puffy, both types of batting. Thin battings are light, and you can quilt them fairly easily. Puffy ones feel soft but a bit harder to quilt. Usually, 100% cotton quilt battings have a 1/8th of an inch thickness. Wool battings are thicker than most battings, and they hold heat better.
3. Based on Fiber Content
Every decision comes down to this point. What kind of batting do you want? Natural or synthetic or blend? Natural ones are cotton, wool, and silk. Synthetic battings are primarily made of polyester. And blend is a mix of both. So there are lots of choices to make here.
Each of the choices comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Their uses differ, especially according to weather, as they have different degrees of warmth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What should be the batting thickness?
The ideal batting thickness would be around 1/8th of an inch. 100% cotton battings are the ones we reviewed above, and they are usually 1/8th of an inch.
2. Should you pre-wash your quilt batting?
The short answer is, “yes, you can pre-wash your batting.” But it isn’t necessary as modern quilt battings are usually built to resist shrinking, and even when these shrink, it’s minimal.
3. Which is the thinnest type of quilt batting?
The thinnest type of batting is the Request Loft Batting. It’s a great option for hand quilting and a companion in all weather.
4. How to get rid of wrinkles from batting?
One of the quickest and simplest solutions for wrinkles on quilt batting is to throw it in the dryer after spraying the creases with water. Keep it tumbling on low for about 10 minutes and then spread it out, smooth it flat. It should be pretty flattened after a few hours.
5. How wide can I quilt Warm and Natural?
10 inches is the limit when it comes to the width during quilting Warm and Natural Batting. Take it out of the bag and start quilting.
Final Words
Now, what have you decided? You should be pretty well informed about your choices and what they have in offer for you. All of the products on the list are recommendable, but you know which one is good for you. Spend after a brand; it’ll guarantee you a quality purchase.