Batting is available in a variety of fiber contents. Here are some Pros and Cons for each.

COTTON

Cotton Is considered low loft batting and breathes very well. It is very versatile. It was a widely used batting in old quilts and is still one of the most popular choices today. Although it is a bit stiff at first, cotton softens with age and is usually preferred for traditional and heirloom quilting. On the down side, cotton is on the heavier side and its natural fibers tend to shrink. This may be great for a bed quilt but not the most desirable for a project where you want to show off your quilting stitches. Cotton also needs to be quilted more closely to prevent bunching. Available in natural, black, and bleached.

POLYESTER

There are many benefits to polyester batting! It is lightweight, less expensive, very durable, resists mold and mildew, shrink resistant, holds it shape better than cotton and stronger just to name a few. Additionally, while it does not breath like natural cotton fibers, it tends to be warmer without the extra weight. Available in white and black.

COTTON/POLYESTER BLEND

Content ratio varies from brand to brand but can be found 50/50 or 80/20 blends. Cotton/Poly can be used for hand or machine quilting and loft is higher than that of 100% cotton batting. Available in white and black

WOOL

Best known for its warmth without the weight. Great for use in cool, damp climates. Great for hand quilting.

Wool has no “memory” so it will never get creased fold lines, even after months of storage. Tends to be more expensive than cotton or polyester batting. Washable wool batting is now widely available. Available in natural and black.

BAMBOO

Eco-friendly and Naturally anti-bacterial. Typically comes in a blend of 50% bamboo 50% cotton. Soft and supple for beautiful drape, even when densely quilted. Excellent loft and thin scrim which is perfect for machine quilting. Bamboo tends to be more expensive so you may want to save this investment for an heirloom quilt project.

SILK

Probably the most expensive batting but great to work with. Silk is a good alternative to wool. It breathes well and is washable. Available in natural and black.

ALPACA

A newer variety of batting that is similar to wool. Very warm and washable. Available in natural and black.