Fairfield: quilting supplies, batting, quilt batting, polyester batting, cotton batting, hand quilting, machine quilting, quilt

by Mary Leahy

Introduction

Quiltmakers spend hours selecting fabrics and months constructing a quilt, yet all too often pay little attention to the batting they use. Their selection is often influenced by a relative or by the assortment carried at the local store, rather than the needs of the quilt they are making. Historically, quiltmakers used what was on hand, and in times of need even resorted to newspapers, leaves, pine needles and other less-than-satisfactory materials. The diverse selection of batting available today has been developed to meet many specific needs, allowing quilters a multitude of batting options. In order to make the proper batting selection, there are several points that must be considered:

Size of the quilt
End use
Fabric selection
Method of quilting - hand or machine

The answers to these questions will determine the qualities to look for in a batting, i.e., loft, warmth, ease of needling, drapability, softness, washability and resistance to fiber migration and bearding. Each of these will be covered in depth as we discuss the two classifications of batting: natural fibers and synthetic fibers.

Natural Fibers

For centuries, quilts were made from start to finish with all-natural fibers. Wool and cotton were readily available and became the staple for quiltmakers to use as a filling.

Bamboo Batting
Bamboo has wonderful properties that make it the perfect fiber to use in batting. The thermal characteristics of bamboo actually pull moisture away from the body. It has wonderful breathability, making you warm in cooler climates and cool in warmer climates. The use of bamboo fiber also makes this an environmentally friendly product.

Bamboo batting is soft and supple to the touch. It has a beautiful consistent drape. The thin scrim makes it perfect for machine quilting and allows a quilting distance of up to 8". It is the most luxurious batting on the market today.

Cotton batting
Cotton batting is manufactured today much the same as it was in the 1850s when the first commercially produced batts were made. The natural felting quality of the cotton fiber provides the friction to hold the fibers together, thus lessening the chances of fiber migration. In the past, most cotton battings had a glaze finish which helped to hold the fibers together. The quilts made with these batts had to be quilted no more than one-half inch apart to hold the cotton batting in position, even then, washing could cause the batting to mat and bunch. New research has produced a superior batting using needlepunch technology. These needlepunched cotton batts may be quilted as far as two to three inches apart. There are also cotton battings on the market that utilize a scrim to hold the fibers together. However, a scrim can make the quilt more difficult to needle and is usually made of polyester which means your quilt will no longer be all-natural.

Cotton batting is soft, drapable and thin enough to achieve the fine quilting stitches experienced quiltmakers desire. Cotton has the capacity for absorbing moisture, creating a cooling effect in the summer and a natural warmth in winter. Cotton is also the batting of choice for those quilters interested in an all-natural quilt. If a quilt is made of 100% cotton fabrics, many quilters prefer to use a 100% cotton batting to complete their quilt. Be sure that the cotton batting you choose is clean and free of all seed waste. Small seed particles can cause difficulty in quilting if you hit them with your needle. In addition, seeds can secrete oils which could stain the surface of the quilt. Cotton batting is available in standard bed sizes and can be found in most stores that carry quilting supplies.

Cotton blends
For a long time the only cotton batting available was made of 100% cotton fiber. After years of research, a batting made from a blend of 80 percent cotton and 20 percent polyester was developed. This batting combines the easy handling and stability of polyester with the natural advantages of cotton. The blend of fibers promises and delivers lightweight warmth and an heirloom quality to quilts and clothing, yet resists fiber migration. Because it is bonded for stability, it is easy to use, even for beginners.

Wool batting
Wool batting, although expensive, offers many of the same qualities as cotton batting. It is soft, drapable, and when intricately quilted, gives a beautiful textural dimension to the quilt. Wool batting offers natural warmth with relatively little weight. For ease in handling and reduction in fiber migration, most wool batting is finished with a cheesecloth or lightweight fabric cover.

Wool batting is produced from long virgin-wool fibers. First the wool is scoured to remove the dirt and yolk (natural oils). Then it is moth-proofed by impregnating the fibers with chemicals that resist moth larvae. The wool is then carded, where the fibers are opened, mixed and finally formed into an even blanket. Like cotton, the natural felting property of the wool fibers helps to hold the batting together.

Synthetic Fibers

The invention of polyester batting revolutionized the quilting market. The ease in handling, along with the warmth and strength of polyester batting account for the widespread increase in the popularity of quilting. Inexperienced quiltmakers could now successfully make a quilt or comforter without the need for extensive hand quilting.

Polyester batting
Polyester fiber is made from chemicals. Regardless of wear and washing, most polyester batting will return to its original shape because it is extremely resilient. It is lightweight, non-allergenic and cannot be harmed by moths or mildew.

To produce batting, polyester fibers are fed into a carding machine where they are combed into parallel rows (layers) and laid into a blanket form by a machine called a crosslapper. The loft and weight of the batting will vary with the number of layers used in the blanket. Additional processes are necessary to produce the variety of polyester batting available today.

The blanket, as it comes off the carding machine, is called unbonded batting. It is available in many weights and thicknesses, with three inch most often the thickest loft available commercially. Unbonded batting has many drawbacks. Its loose construction makes it difficult to work with, and often, high and low areas develop. Because there is no finish, the fibers tend to migrate and beard through the fabric in the quilt, a problem of great concern for quiltmakers today. To lessen the chance of fiber migration, it is advisable to cover unbonded batting with cheesecloth or a lightweight fabric.

Bonded Batting
Bonded batting, on the other hand, has a light resin coating or glaze applied to both sides of the batting. This coating adds strength and locks the fibers to help prevent fiber migration. The newer, heat-sealed fibers create a similar effect. Bonded batting usually has a higher loft and airier appearance than a needlepunched batt. It holds up well with use and does not require extensive quilting. Therefore, it is ideal for both comforters and quilts. Because it is so easy to handle, many quiltmakers prefer bonded batting above all others, for both machine and hand quilting.

Needlepunched Batting
Needlepunched batting is made by a unique method which entangles the fibers to hold them together. The process for making this batting consists of passing the blanket of fibers through a needling machine called a fiber locker. The machine has a multitude of barbed needles or hooks mounted on a grid which vibrate up and down. The blanket passes through the barbed needles which pierce the blanket and entangle the fibers as they withdraw. This same process is used to make non-woven blankets. The loft of needlepunched batting varies depending on the number of layers in the blanket. When fewer layers are used, a low loft, soft batting results. This traditional type of batting is highly desirable to accentuate the fine details of quilting and is ideal for quilted clothing.

If additional layers are added to the blanket, the result will be a warm, extra-thick batting, perfect for cold weather quilts and outdoor clothing.

When choosing batting, consider those factors that will impact your project the most. You will need to weigh the many variables, regarding fabric selection, finished appearance, method of quilting, how the project will be used and laundered. With a little forethought and planning, quiltmakers today can make an educated choice from the wide selection of battings available.