I'm currently trying cotton/bamboo for the first time on a quilt with a dark brown backing and it's a disaster: the quilt is covered with fluff from the batting and it's coming through to the surface when I pull the threads through. Not happy.

Hobbs wool

Fairfield - bamboo/organic cotton 50/50- I preshrink this and it still shrinks a little more when washed. Available at Joanns and Hancock. It's a little more expensive so I stock up when it's 50% off.

Quilters Dream Poly- the charcoal color for dark quilts I don't want to risk any bearding on.

Hobbs 80/20 has changed. I don't use it as much anymore.

I use Hobbs exclusivly if I am providing the batting....

Hobbs 80/20 or Hobbs wool. Both quilt very nicely and wash well after the quilting is done.

I am a longarmer and I use different batts for different projects.

Table Runners Warm & Natural or Warm & White

Kid's Quilts Polyester Medium Loft

Bed Size Quilts Hobbs 80/20 or Medium Loft Polyester

With the rising costs of cotton, I may become a poly girl!

I use different battings for different projects. I love Dream Green and Dream Poly for wall hangings, table toppers and such decorative items, they are especially great for wall hangings because they keep their shape and don't drape/stretch like cotton.

That being said, I love dream cotton for bed and lap quilts, anything touching my body, I want it to be all natural fibers, personL preference.

Warm and natural seem to be popular, I psersonally find it a lot more stiff because of the scrim, but do use it for little projects.

I recently used wool in my queen size Bargello for my bed, and oh my, the feel and the price!!! :mrgreen:

Thanks for all of your responses. Now where do you buy the Hobbs 80/20 (and is that 80%cotton, 20% poly) and where do get dream cotton? Never heard of either of these. I have used some 80/20, but I don't remember the brand name.

I like warm & natural for machine quilting and poly blend for hand quilting. My favorite is wool for both when I can get it on sale :D

i started a 'batting-journal' to figure out what battings i like best for different projects. when ever i see a new batt i have not tried before i get one. I cut a 4"x6" rectangle from the batt and add it to my journal. I write the name of the batt, where it came from. the price. the properties, the care instructions, and how far apart you are supposed to quilt it. After i use the batt i add what i used it for, how i liked it, how it behaved during quilting, anything else i want to remember about it...and i add pictures if i feel the need. that way if i see a batt i am not sure about i can check to see if it is one i tried once and hated...or if it was one that was really nice to work with.
I love wool batts best but they are expensive and not always appropriate. i usually use poly or poly/cotton blend batts for kids and utility quilts that will take alot of abuse and get laundered alot. for quilts that may still be used regularly but wont be really abused i like a good cotton if i don't want to put out the extra $$ for wool or silk. I also like the bamboo blend batts. i like to try new ones as they become available. the new "green-batt's " hold up well to much abuse and are good for kids quilts. they are usually inexpensive and they are made out of recycled materials. they wash up well ...the only down side i found with them was.....they are green,,,, so not so great if you have a quilt with a lot of white....anyway--- try them all as you are able...and make a journal it may prove to be a valuable tool.

Used poly once and had such a problem with bearding, that I will never use it again. Love warm/white and warm/natural. Bought some cotton/poly mix which I absolutely detested. It was terribly "linty"...everything it touched was covered in lint. Also thought it felt very thin. No brand unfortunately but I am now a loyal w&n fan! Also only buy it when I have a great coupon for it (usually at Joanne's).