heron

I'm making a lap quilt for my husband and need to figure out what type of batting to use. Requirements in priority order:

- Keep the quilt as cool as possible (we live in Texas, so this quilt will be more for comfort than for warmth).
- This is a dark quilt with lots of medium and dark browns and saturated blue/greens, so I want to avoid bearding.
- It'll be machine quilted.
- It'll be washed a handful of times per year.

Would skipping the batting and going to a flannel back make any sense? There'd be little loft to the quilting, right? Think that would look funny?

Prism99

If cost is not an issue, I you might want to consider silk batting:
https://www.connectingthreads.com/ho...ng/g/HobbsSilk

Silk batting is very soft and, being a natural fiber, it "breathes" and so is very comfortable. It is often used in garment construction (think quilted jacket) because it is thin and has a wonderful drape. It also has a very luxurious feel.

My other choice would be Quilter's Dream cotton, Request weight (their thinnest). Again, being a natural fiber, it will breathe. It also has a very nice, soft drape.
https://www.quiltersdreambatting.com...-dream-cotton/

A third possibility would be Thermore polyester batting, which is very thin. It would not breathe quite as well as silk or cotton, but would still be nice.
https://www.amazon.com/Hobbs-TM90-Ba...dp/B0034C30BM/

Tiggersmom

Why not just use a darker flannel as batting? or skip the batting like many do for a summer quilt?

Austinite

An idea I had for you is to go to a big box and get a soft poly throw to use as a back. It would be soft and not as thick as some battings.

We run our AC 10 months out of the year so we still use batting in our quilts at our house.

ETA: welcome from Austin!!!

dstill47

As crazy as it may seem, washable wool batting is light, soft and is warm in winter and cool in summer. I use it all the time here in Tucson. Mostly I use Quilter’s Dream washable wool. There is also a thinner cotton one called Request.

quilterpurpledog

I used silk in a quilt and it was just wonderful, soft and comfortable and very washable. I would do it again. I also like wool batting. I like it best for bed quilts.

Prism99

I have heard that about wool batting, but haven't had a chance to try it out myself yet. I have some Hobbs Heirloom Wool waiting for my next quilt. It's really good to hear this from someone in Tucson!

Barb in Louisiana

What about using a fleece backing for it and no batting? A good grade of flannel would work, but I have never seen flannel in a black or dark blue. Another idea would be to do it in blue jean material and no batting. That might be too heavy although they have different jean fabric weights. I'm trying to think of something that would have some substance but not be over whelming, and would be washable. There are a lot of options in the clothing fabric sections at JoAnn's. It just has to be washable. Double knit made some fairly warm, lightweight quilts.

quiltingcandy

I am voting for wool. Just used wool batting for the first time and have been sewing the binding on it this week and it has been wonderful. Due to our heat lately I was thinking it would have to wait a month or more but just could't, i want the quilt done. The drape is fantastic and it is very comfortable with the heat. (Yes, I have a fan since we don't have an air conditioner.)

Murphy224

I have used flannel with no batting as a backing on a quilt and it is the perfect summer weight. I also purchased quality ready made flannel sheets for backings and they hold up very well to washing. (Cuddle-Duds brand from Kohls) Shop around and I bet you will find some good flannel sheets that will work great for your husband's lap quilt. And if you find some on sale....bonus and may be less expensive than LQS quality flannel.