In this article, we will look at the types of batting most T-shirt quilt makers are using. We will also look at the loft of a batting, batting quality and the longevity and durability of battings.
We hope this information will help in your choice of quilt makers.
Because they are inexpensive. They can help reduce the cost of a quilt.
This isn’t the batting used for heirloom quilts. They are for quilts that have a limited “shelf life.”
A blended backing contains a combination of two fiber materials. The most popular blend is needle punched 80% cotton /20% polyester. This batting feels like a 100% cotton batting. But the 20% polyester makes this batting strong and stable.
This is the preferred batting for a T-shirt quilt.
In the photo here, we have held up polyester batting on the left and cotton batting on the right. You can see how much thinner the polyester batting is.
The one major drawback is that some 100% cotton batting is unstable. Nothing holds the fibers together. The batting is more likely to rip and tear while you work with it. Thus, is more difficult to work with.
This also means the quilt needs close quilting. If not, the batting may wad up in the areas between the quilting after you wash it several times. Most experienced quilters know this. Thus, they quilt close enough that this doesn’t happen.
This is also a good option for a high-quality T-shirt quilt.
This photo shows the quilt "sandwich" of cotton backing, cotton batting and a quilt top.
Wool does have the advantage of being light weight. It’s cooler in the summer and warm in the winter. It’s weird stuff!
A T-shirt quilt can use wool batting. It will cost more than cotton or a blend.
This photo here shows wool batting on the left and cotton batting on the right.
Bamboo batting is an up-and-coming new batting. I have not tested this on a T-shirt quilt, but it’s touted as long lasting, breathable, and warm.
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Batting technology has made it so that a thin cotton batting is as warm or warmer than fluffy polyester battings.
The photo here compares a high loft and low loft batting.
With a thinner batting, you see less highs and lows in the look of the quilt. It will have a flatter and smoother appearance. A thinner batting will also make it easier to fold your quilt. You can store it in a smaller space.
If quilted properly, a thinner batting won’t bunch up after washing.
In the photo here, the quilt on the left was made with low-loft batting. The quilt on the right was made with high loft batting. You can see the difference in the way the two quilts fold.
What a quilter pays for batting has a direct impact on the cost of your quilt. Batting is one of a number of costs a quilter passes on to customers.
If you need a low-cost quilt, expect a lower quality of batting. If a quilter uses 100% polyester batting, expect a low-end quilt. 100% high loft polyester batting is at the low end of the quality and price spectrum. Beginning quilters often use polyester batting because they don’t know - yet.
If you want an heirloom quality quilt, look for a quilter using a high-quality batting. A batting such as needle punched 80% cotton/20% poly, 100% cotton, wool or bamboo batting. These battings are expensive for good reasons. They are good quality batting that will stand the test of time.
In the photo here, the quilt on the right was made with high loft polyester batting. It also doesn't have enough quilting. Compare that quilt to the one on the left. This was made with low loft 80/20 batting. There is also enough quilting, so the batting won't break up over successive washes. Read more about the comparison of these two quilts here.
Longevity refers to the life expectancy of a quilt. Every time you wash any cloth item, it takes a little life out of that item. This is true for quilts. A quilt washed once a week will have a shorter life expectancy than one washed once a year.
Durability considers how you use your quilt. The more you use your quilt, the more rugged you want you quilt to be. And the more washes the quilt will need to withstand.
100% polyester battings bunch up over repeated washings. Eventually, your quilt will have lumps of batting and areas without batting.
If you plan on really using your quilt, it needs to be tough. A needled punched 80%cotton/20%poly batting is tough stuff. It’s difficult to tear. It stays where you put it. It will last. How do we know? We've have T-shirt quilts that are over 30 years old that were used and washed every weekend for years.
The batting used in a T-shirt quilt is important! It will influence the look, feel and life of your quilt.
Here's a list of questions you can ask a prospective quilt maker
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