Most quilts are a bit like a sandwich: You have the beautiful top part that displays your quilt pattern, you have the bottom, and you have the batting in between. The batting gives the quilt some structure and insulation, making it warmer and ideal for winter nights. However, not all quilt batting is the same. Let's go over some of the different kinds of quilt batting so you can choose the right material for you. Polyester batting is commonly used because it's so cheap and readily available. It comes in different sizes and makes for a lightweight quilt. However, it has some drawbacks: It pills and beards more readily. (Bearding is what happens when you see the inner fibers poking out of small holes in the quilt.) Polyester is also filled with air due to the way it's made, and it's not as easy to stitch with a machine. Cotton batting is wonderful stuff that's much easier to work with, though it's more expensive. Since it's a natural fiber, it makes the quilt warmer. It also isn't nearly as prone to pilling or bearding as polyester batting is. A cotton blend batting is a happy medium between polyester and cotton. 80 percent cotton and 20 percent polyester is a good combo. A blend is a little less expensive than pure cotton. Wool is a great choice if you live in a cold northern climate, since it will keep you toasty warm. However, wool is even more expensive than pure cotton. You'll also need to learn how to wash and care for it properly, since you don't want to warp or otherwise damage the material.
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