Marybeth

I am a new quilter and would love someone to explain to me how to choose batting.

I took a beginning quilting class this winter and all that was said was that different battings are used for different looks in the finished quilt. I get that but what are the different looks? Do you use more than one layer??

A quilting friend told me she uses cotton batting for the flatter look she prefers.

Can someone explain the other looks? Or how to choose batting??

Marybeth :?:

SandraJennings

Batting is rated by what is called loft. The higher the loft the fluffier the look on the finished quilt. Cotton batting behaves differently than ployester batting. Some battings shouldn't be used for baby quilts, because of the way they react in flammable conditions. ( This is usually listed on the batting parceling) A good way to "see" how batting differs is to check the different batt styles at your quilt shop and feel them. It will give you an indication of the texture that will be a part of your quilt when finished. one layer is usually enough unless you are specifically trying to achieve a design look..ie Trapunto, or stuffed, or extra padding. All of these styles are able to be found in books or even taught at your local quilt shop. For more info you could check out this site : http://www.stearnstextiles.com/[b]. Hope this is helpful. :-)

kathy

cotton is heavier (and I think warmer) but it is also a little stiffer. The poly is very soft and easy to wrap and tuck around your body. usually with a higher loft your stitches sink into the quilt and are harder to see (sometimes this is a good thing) lol

Marybeth

Thank you so much for the info :D
The website given is amazing.

I machine quilt but now am making a log cabin wall hanging so probably the batting is a thinner type
:?:

so would a cotton be better here?

Marybeth

kathy

cotton will be heavier, i'd got poly for a wall hanging

annmarie

I prefer cotton for wall hangings as the extra weight seems to help it hang better.

SandraJennings

So there you go....it eventually ends up with what you the quilter decides is the best option for each particular quilt. That is why we love to visit shops and feel our way through the different options. :lol:

kathy

Annemarie, that's interesting, I've never done a wall quilt and just figured the lighter the better. And I was afraid I wouldn't learn anything new today, now I can go to bed knowing that you really do learn something new everyday!
BTW love your avatar, have you shown that to us closeup? I can't see it very well.

Marybeth

the wall hanging is a log cabin and the blocks already feel like they will be fairly heavy, does that make a difference in batting choice :?:

Marybeth

Judy Gail

I think you use cotton batting if you are going to machine quilt and polyester batting if you are going to hand quilt.

Judy