Ever wonder how much batting a longarmer really has? Is that like asking how many pairs of shoes a woman has? I don’t know, maybe it’s too personal? Even so, I'll admit.. I have some rolls.. rolls of batting! ;P

So, let’s see.. here is what I currently have:

Quilters Dream Cotton
Quilters Dream 80/20 (Cotton/Poly)
Quilters Dream Orient (Silk, Bamboo, Tencel & Cotton)
Quilters Dream Wool
Kyoto Bamboo/Cotton

Okay, so I don’t have THAT much - it could be worse, right?! One of you out there has more I’m sure (raise your hand, no judgment!).

I do use each of these battings, and actually for a variety of effects - I’ll divulge below!

Quilters Dream Cotton - I use this for your basic, quilt it, finish it, get it done quilt or if my client really wants a 100% cotton batting. This one quilts nicely, but doesn’t give a lot of dimension, as it is a fairly low loft batting.

Quilters Dream 80/20 - This batting is great for things I plan to put a lot of quilting on, and adds a little more loft and dimension to the quilting. I tend to use it more for wall hangings or things that are not going to be used a lot and well loved - only because I feel like it is a bit stiffer than the others.

Quilters Dream Orient - I LOVE LOVE LOVE this batting, it is low loft but packs a lot in the dimension department. Since this batting is a blend of silk, bamboo, tencel and cotton you get the dimension of a bamboo, the smoothness of the silk and the strength of the cotton and the combination is amazing. I use this batting when I want dimension but less bulk.

Quilters Dream Wool - This batting is a dimensional quilters GOLD! The wool is a high-loft batting so packs a punch in the dimension department, which means you get to see all the beautiful things you quilt. Despite having a bad rap for being squirrelly, I think the wool is very nice to work with. Often I will use the Orient as a base layer and then add wool on top, it creates an awesome effect.

Kyoto Bamboo/Cotton - This batting is a 50/50 Bamboo/Cotton which means it’s soft and sturdy! This batting is kind of a jack of all trades because you can get a nice drapey (this is a word, right?) quilt, but also a quilt with a lot of dimension - it all depends on how much quilting you put on it!

One other batting that I like, but don’t currently have in my stock is Warm & Natural - 100% Cotton. I do enjoy working with it, as it has a nice hand, and leaves your quilt soft and snuggly. I haven’t done a lot of “quilt-it-to-death” types of projects with it, but never say never right?!

There are lots of other battings out there, but these are the ones I have found the most success with and have experience with longevity. And I’ll tell you a secret: Sometimes I choose batting based on what I have that is big enough in my leftover piece pile! (Only on my own quilts of course!)

Try different battings and find out which you like and how they feel in your quilt - at the end of the day though, “a finished quilt is better than a perfect quilt top”. Thanks Angela Walters for the advice!

Happy Quilting,

Enjoli

How I store my rolls of batting, this is my Kyoto roll above my cutting table!

Two more rolls stored in another corner of my studio! Quilters Dream Cotton & 80/20!

Extra rolls stored on the batting bar on my Bernina Q24 frame! Quilters Dream Orient and Quilters Dream Wool.

Quilty Thoughts

What's on my Batting Rack?!