How to choose your batting
Part of the Starshine Quilting Studio Learn & Prep series
Batting is the middle layer of your quilt -- the “filling” that gives it loft, warmth, and drape. Choosing the right one can feel overwhelming with so many options out there, but it's actually pretty straightforward once you understand the key differences.
The Options: Fiber choices
Cotton: The classic choice. Cotton batting has a natural feel, low loft (meaning it doesn't puff up dramatically), and drapes beautifully. It tends to shrink slightly the first time it's washed, which creates that lovely crinkled vintage look many quilters love. Great for bed quilts, lap quilts, and anything that will get regular use and washing.
Polyester: Poly batting is light, fluffy, and holds its loft well over time. It doesn't shrink, so the crinkle effect after washing is minimal. It's a great choice if you want a puffier, more modern quilt look, or for wall hangings and decorative quilts that won't be washed often.
80/20 Cotton-Poly Blend: The best of both worlds for many quilters -- the natural feel of cotton with a bit more loft and stability from the poly. This is one of our in-stock options and a very popular choice for everyday quilts.
Bamboo: Soft, breathable, and eco-friendly. Bamboo batting has a silky feel and wonderful drape. It's a lovely choice for baby quilts, summer quilts, or anyone who runs warm.
Wool: The warmest option. Wool batting is breathable, naturally moisture-wicking, and incredibly cozy. It has a higher loft than cotton and is a wonderful choice for bed quilts in cold climates. It does require more careful washing.
Specialty options:
Dream Puff is ultra-lofty for a dramatic, puffy quilt.
Dream Angel is perfect for baby quilts as it’s made 100% from flame-retardant fibers.
Dream Green is made from recycled materials for the eco-conscious quilter.
What Is 'Loft' and Why Does It Matter?
Loft refers to the thickness and puffiness of the batting. Low loft batting is flatter and drapes more easily -- great for bed quilts that need to hang over the sides of a mattress and for machine quilting with dense designs. High loft batting is thicker and fluffier -- great for a cozy, puffy appearance but can be harder to quilt densely.
For most edge-to-edge quilting, a low (request loft) to medium (select) loft batting gives the best results. If you're considering a high loft option, please let us know, and we'll discuss design choices that work well with it.
Quilters Dream offers four different lofts.
Request: A lightweight and consistent batting developed especially for hand quilters - ideal for fine micro-stitching with an excellent drape.
Select: Our most popular loft-versatile for both hand and machine quilting with a soft lovely drape. The perfect batting for most quilting projects, mid-weight drapeable quilts.
Deluxe: Provides superb warmth and weight offering extra emphasis for quilting.
Supreme: A hefty, very warm, and dense batting!
NOTE: Not all lofts are available for all lines of batting.
What Batting Does Starshine Have In Stock?
We keep three rolls of Quilters Dream batting in stock and ready to go. Each is priced per linear inch so that you only purchase what is needed for your quilt.
Natural 80/20 - Select Loft — Our most popular in-stock option. A lovely natural cotton-poly blend with a low to medium loft.
Dream Poly - Select Loft — A quality polyester option with a slightly higher loft. Great for quilts where you want a little more puff.
Natural Dream Cotton - Select Loft — A 100% cotton batting that is strong, yet exceptionally soft; has a low to medium loft
how much batting do i need?
Because our in-stock batting is sold per linear inch from a large roll, we can tailor the amount needed specifically for your quilt. As long as the shortest side of the quilt is less than 92 inches, we’ll use that measurement plus 4 more inches. For example, if your quilt measures 60” by 72” - we would measure 64” of batting (60 inches of width + 2 inches extra per side). Perfect if you like your binding to look more “stuffed.”
Does starshine have additional batting options?
If none of our in-stock options are quite right, we can special order a packaged batt from Quilters Dream. We can order any option size or fiber such as wool, bamboo, and other specialty blends — as long as it’s listed on our special order sheet.
Have questions about batting? Reach out anytime — we're happy to help you find the right fit for your quilt.
How to Request Batting from Us
If you'd like us to provide batting for your quilt, just select 'Starshine will provide batting' on your intake form and select the batt of choice from the drop-down box for Special Order batting. We'll add it to your order and include it in your quote.
Not sure which one to choose? You can select the “I’m not sure - please advise” and we'll recommend an option based on your quilt and how you plan to use it.