Know Your Battings. Krista Moser

Laundering – Will this be laundered frequently?

      ■ Warm or cool – Will this be a winter or summer quilt project?

      ■ Appearance – Do you want a thin or puffy look?

      ■ Fiber content – Do you want natural fiber or synthetic?

      ■ Quilting – Will this be hand- or machine-quilted, and how far apart do you plan your quilting stitches to be?

       Does Batting Have a Right or Wrong Side?

      Officially the answer is no, there is no right or wrong side to batting. That being said, batting does often look different from one side to the other; this is especially the case with needle-punched batting.

      The needle-punching process dimples the “top” and punches out the “back.” Most quilters want their needle (whether hand or machine quilting) to go in the same direction as the batting was needle punched. This makes the dimpled side the side you put toward the quilt top. The back side (often needle-punched through scrim) is the side that goes against the backing. Having the scrim side against the backing will also help alleviate any bearding, or batting fibers, that might otherwise come through onto the backing.

       How Do I Prewash Batting, and Is It Necessary?

      Prewashing batting is not typically recommended, but certain battings can be prewashed safely if you want to mitigate as much post-quilting shrinkage as possible. This is especially the case with 100% cotton or cotton blend battings.

      To safely prewash/preshrink, soak the batting in a clean bathtub with cool water and little or no detergent. Squeeze out excess moisture by rolling it in a dry towel and then lay it out flat to fully dry. Cotton batting with scrim can be soaked in the washing machine tub without using the agitator, then spun out to remove excess moisture. It can be air-fluffed for 5–10 minutes in the dryer, then laid out flat to dry completely. It is highly discouraged to prewash batting made with silk or wool.

CHOOSING THE BATTING

      If the quilt top is 100% cotton, you probably want 100% cotton or another natural fiber batting. Cotton-blend batting, such as an 80/ 20 mix, is popular for bed quilts. Unless you plan to prewash the batting, you will want to ensure that the fibers shrink at the same rate as the top and backing fabrics.

TYPICAL BATTING MATERIALS

       100% Cotton

      Made from natural fibers, this type is soft and comfy. It’s one of the most commonly chosen batting for all types of quilting and craft projects. 100% cotton batting tends to be very dense and flat.

       Cotton Blends

      Made from cotton mixed with another fiber, most often polyester. It’s typically 80% cotton and 20% polyester. Other fibers such as wool and bamboo are also blended with cotton for a nice effect. Cotton blend batting has the characteristic of cotton batting with a little more loft for a fluffier look. This makes it perfect for bed quilts or anything needing a softer look.

       Silk

      Typically made with imported silk filaments with the addition of 10% polyester carded or “combed” together and bonded. This makes the perfect light summer-weight quilt while being soft and very easily draped.

       Bamboo

      Bamboo batting is typically a blend of 50% bamboo and 50% cotton, although there are 100% bamboo varieties available. It is breathable with a slight loft, still warm but lightweight, and ideal for machine quilting. Bamboo is also said to have natural anti-bacterial properties. This makes a great summer-weight quilt or a good bed quilt in warmer climates.

       Wool

      This type is very lightweight yet warm, and is a natural fiber. Wool batting tends to be higher loft, about ¼"–½" (0.6–1.3cm), making it one of the fluffiest battings in the natural fiber category. Excellent for hand or machine quilting and tying. This batting is perfect for bed quilts or layered with another batting (100% cotton or a cotton/wool blend) to add definition in the quilting texture for show quilts.

       Polyester

      This is a synthetic fiber that holds its shape and makes some of the highest loft batting available, up to ½"–⅝" (1.3–1.6cm) thick. It comes in a wide range of weights and lofts, from flat and dense to light, airy, and very thick or lofty. It does not compress; it’s thicker but lighter. It has warmth without weight, resists mold and mildew, and does not shrink when washed. It is good for bed quilts, comforters, and any project where shrinkage would cause problems.

       Fusible

      With one or both sides treated with a fusible layer, fusible batting replaces pin or spray basting. The glue is activated by a heated iron so it bonds with your project’s fabric. It’s best to use this type of batting on smaller projects, such as bags or table runners.