Quilters have several choices for batting. Some traditional quilters use cotton or sheep’s wool, which are natural. Non-traditional quilters use polyester, which is synthetic, or even alpaca wool. Quilters who are concerned with the environment tend to stick to cotton or wool, or a new blend of cotton and bamboo. Still, others choose to use sheets, blankets, felt, or older quilts.

The choice of the type of batting depends not only on the quilter’s desire to save the environment or reuse available materials, but also on the quality of the quilt he or she is making. Cotton, for example, provides a thin quilt which is naturally warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Wool, on the other hand, makes a thicker, warmer quilt. Polyester materials can be thick or thin, and provide warmth as well.

One other consideration for a quilter when choosing batting is how much the quilt may be used and washed. Cotton or wool can bead up, causing a bumpy texture to the quilt after several washings. Polyester or cotton-polyester blends hold up better and help maintain the original look of the quilt through several washings over years of use.

When choosing your batting material, look carefully at what you want in the finished product. It might be a good idea to cover your batting with a light material before placing in your quilt to prevent fibers from pulling through the outer, finished material. Also, be sure you match the material in your quilt to that in your batting so you will have even shrinkage.