Choosing the Right Batting - Quilting, Sewing & Embroidery

Choosing the Right Batting: A Guide for Quilting, Sewing & Machine Embroidery

Batting may be hidden inside your finished project, but it can make a big difference in how your project looks, feels, drapes and holds up over time.

Whether you're making a traditional bed quilt, wall hanging, table runner, tote bag, quilted garment or machine-embroidered project, choosing the right batting can be just as important as selecting your fabric and thread.

At Aurora Sewing Center, we carry batting for everything from traditional quilting to specialty and machine embroidery projects, including Quilters Dream Cotton, Dream Blend, Dream Wool, Dream Bamboo, Dream Angel, Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 Fusible, HoopSisters Battilizer and RNK/Floriani Embroidery Batting.

So, what's the difference—and which batting should you use? Let's break it down.

What Does Batting Actually Do?

Batting is the middle layer—or "filling"—between your quilt top and backing. Depending on the type you select, batting provides varying amounts of:

Warmth  Loft Structure Softness

Drape Stitch definition Stability

And batting isn't just for bed quilts. You'll find it in:

Machine embroidery and quilt-in-the-hoop projects Wall hangings Table runners and placemats Tote bags and purses

Jackets and quilted clothing Baby projects Home décor Craft projects

 

The key is matching the batting to how the finished project will be used and how you want it to look and feel.

 

1. Quilters Dream Cotton: A Traditional Quilting Favorite

For traditional quilting, 100% cotton batting remains one of the most popular and versatile choices.

Quilters Dream Cotton is made from high-quality USA cotton and needle punched for strength without scrim, resin or glue. The result is a batting with the natural softness, breathability and drape many quilters love.

Why Choose Cotton Batting?

Pros:

• Soft, natural feal
• Beautiful drape
• Breathable and comfortable
• Excellent for bed and lap quilts
• Works well for hand and machine quilting
• Creates the classic quilted look
• Excellent choice for everyday quilts

Things to Consider:

• Cotton naturally shrinks somewhat when washed and dried
• It generally provides less "puff" than higher-loft polyester or wool
• Heavier cotton battings can add noticeable weight
• That little bit of shrinkage isn't necessarily a negative. In fact, many quilters specifically want the soft, slightly puckered and "loved" appearance that develops after a cotton quilt is washed.

 

Understanding Quilters Dream Cotton Lofts

One of the great advantages of Dream Cotton is the ability to choose the loft that best matches your project.

REQUEST – Lightweight & Low Loft

REQUEST is the thinnest and lightest Dream Cotton option, generally with a loft of 1/16^th inch.

Consider REQUEST for:

• Lightweight and summer quilts
• Baby quilts
• Table runners
• Placemats
• Wearables
• Hand quilting
• Fine or detailed quilting

Choose REQUEST when you want softness and drape without adding much bulk or weight.

SELECT – The Great All-Around Choice

SELECT is Quilters Dream's most popular cotton loft and a great starting point for many quilting projects, generally with a loft of 3/32^nd inch loft.

Consider SELECT for:

• Bed quilts
• Lap quilts
• Machine quilting
• Longarm quilting
• Everyday quilts
• Wall hangings
• Wearables

If you're standing in front of the batting wondering what to choose for an everyday quilt, Dream Cotton Select is a great place to start.

Natural vs. White Dream Cotton: Does the Color Matter?

Quilters Dream Cotton is available in both Natural and White. While their quilting characteristics are similar, the color of the batting can affect how the fabrics in your finished quilt appear.

Choose Natural Dream Cotton when:

• Your quilt contains medium or dark fabrics
• You're working with cream, ivory, beige or warmer colors
• You want the traditional natural-cotton appearance
• Your fabrics are opaque enough that batting color won't show through

Consider White Dream Cotton when

• Your quilt uses a lot of bright white fabric
• You're working with pastels or very light colors
• Your fabric is thin or slightly translucent
• You want whites to remain as crisp and bright as possible

TIP: Before choosing, place a piece of your lightest quilt fabric over both Natural and White batting. You may be surprised by the difference! If Natural batting makes a bright white or pastel fabric appear slightly creamier, White Dream Cotton is probably the better choice.

For most quilts, Natural is a great everyday choice. But when you're investing time in a bright white, pastel or light-colored quilt, choosing White batting can help preserve the colors you intended.

 

2. Polyester Batting: Lightweight, Lofty & Low Shrinkage

Polyester batting is another useful option, particularly when you want loft without the weight of a heavy cotton batting.

Polyester typically has very little shrinkage and tends to resist creasing, making it useful for quilts that are frequently folded, stored or transported.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Available in different lofts
• Very low shrinkage
• Adds dimension without excessive weight
• Good stitch definition
• Resists holding creases

Things to Consider:

• Doesn't have exactly the same natural feel as 100% cotton
• May not produce the traditional washed-and-crinkled appearance associated with cotton
• Poly batting can be especially useful for wall hangings, decorative quilts, travel quilts, wearables and projects where you want visible quilting dimension without substantial weight.

 

3. Dream Blend: The Best of Cotton & Polyester

Cotton/polyester blends combine characteristics of both fibers.

Quilters Dream Blend combines 70% cotton and 30% polyester, giving you much of the softness and natural character of cotton with polyester contributing additional durability, stability and reduced shrinkage.

Consider Dream Blend for:

Machine quilting Everyday quilts Children's quilts Wall hangings

Crafts Frequently used quilts Projects where added stability is desirable

 

A blend is an excellent middle ground when you like cotton but want some of the performance benefits of polyester.

 

4. Dream Wool: Warmth & Loft Without Excessive Weight

If you want a quilt that feels warm, lightweight and luxurious while really showing off your quilting, consider Quilters Dream Wool.

Dream Wool is made from a blend of scoured and super-washed domestic and fine Merino wool. Its resilient loft is a little over 1/3", helping quilting stitches stand out beautifully without producing an excessively heavy quilt.

Why Choose Dream Wool?

Pros:

• Excellent warmth without excessive weight
• Approximately 1/3" loft
• Beautiful stitch definition
• Soft, luxurious drape
• Excellent for machine and longarm quilting
• Resistant to creasing
• Excellent for dimensional quilting
• Great choice for faux trapunto

Things to Consider:

Generally more expensive than basic cotton or polyeste

• Greater loft may not be desirable when you want a very flat project
• Avoid high heat, which can reduce its beautiful loft
• Its natural creamy color should be considered beneath very light or translucent fabrics
• When Should You Consider Dream Wool?

Dream Wool is an excellent choice for:

·       Bed quilts ·       Cold-weather quilts ·       Show quilts ·       Heirloom quilts

·       Longarm quilting ·       Feathers and decorative quilting ·       Faux trapunto ·       Quilts where stitch definition is important

 

If you've spent hours creating a beautiful quilting design and want those stitches to really stand out, Dream Wool can make the quilting itself an important part of the finished quilt's appearance.

 

5. Dream Bamboo: Softness & Beautiful Drape

Looking for something especially soft?

Quilters Dream Bamboo is a premium blend of bamboo, Tussah silk, Tencel® and cotton fibers.

The combination produces an exceptionally soft batting with a smooth, silky drape that is breathable and comfortable.

Pros:

• Exceptionally soft
• Beautiful drape
• Breathable
• Strong despite its softness
• Works for hand, machine and longarm quilting
• Wonderful against the body

Things to Consider:

• Expect some shrinkage
• Premium fibers generally make it more expensive than basic cotton batting
• Fewer loft choices than Dream Cotton

Consider Dream Bamboo for:

Baby quilts Bed quilts Lap quilts Quilted clothing

Wearables Heirloom quilts Year-round quilts

If softness and drape are among your highest priorities, Dream Bamboo deserves a serious look.

 

6. Dream Angel: When Flame Resistance Matters

Quilters Dream Angel is a much more specialized batting.

Rather than choosing it primarily for loft or warmth, Dream Angel may be considered when flame resistance is an important characteristic for the project.

Dream Angel is made from 100% flame-retardant fibers without added flame-retardant chemicals.

Pros:

• Flame-resistant fiber construction
• No added flame-retardant chemicals
• Soft and breathable
• Good stitch definition
• Suitable for hand and machine quilting
• Machine washable and dryable

Things to Consider:

• More specialized than everyday cotton batting
• Isn't necessary for most traditional quilts
• Should be selected when its flame-resistant characteristics provide a meaningful benefit

When Might You Consider Dream Angel?

Dream Angel may be appropriate for certain:

Children's projects Bedding Home décor

Specialty projects Applications where additional flame resistance is desirable

 

Important: Using a flame-resistant batting does not make an entire finished quilt or sewing project flameproof. Fabric, thread and the other materials used also affect the characteristics of the finished project.

 

7. Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 Fusible: Make Basting Easier

Do you dislike pinning, spray basting or trying to keep three quilt layers from shifting?

Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 Fusible Cotton Blend Batting offers a clever solution. This batting combines 80% natural cotton and 20% polyester with a water-soluble fusible medium applied to both sides. This allows you to temporarily fuse the quilt top and backing directly to the batting with a dry iron.

Once washed, the water-soluble fusing medium dissolves and the batting becomes soft and supple.

Why Choose Hobbs 80/20 Fusible?

Pros:

• Fusible on both sides
• Helps secure the entire quilt sandwich
• Reduces the need for extensive pinning
• Can eliminate the need for spray basting
• Helps prevent layers from shifting
• Cotton provides softness and a traditional feel
• Polyester adds strength and stability
• Excellent for machine quilting
• Particularly useful for smaller projects

Things to Consider:

• Use a dry iron rather than steam when initially fusible
• Expect some shrinkage after laundering
• Requires an additional pressing step
• May not be necessary if you already have a preferred basting or longarm loading method
• Testing with your fabric before beginning is always a good idea

When Should You Consider Fusible Batting?

Hobbs Fusible 80/20 can be particularly useful for:

·       Smaller quilts ·       Table runners ·       Placemats ·       Wall hangings ·       Bags and totes ·       Quilted home décor

·       Projects with layers that tend to shift ·       Machine quilting ·       Beginning quilters who find traditional basting challenging ·       The big advantage is convenience.

If preparing the quilt sandwich is one of your least favorite parts of quilting, fusible batting can make that step much easier.

 

8. Machine Embroidery Changes the Batting Conversation

Once you move into machine embroidery and quilt-in-the-hoop projects, batting has another job to perform.  An embroidery machine may place thousands—or even tens of thousands—of stitches into a relatively small area.

Traditional batting provides loft, but it isn't necessarily designed to provide all the stability required for dense machine embroidery. That's where specialty embroidery battings become particularly useful.

 

9. HoopSisters Battilizer: Batting + Stabilizer in One

If you enjoy HoopSisters projects or quilt-in-the-hoop embroidery, HoopSisters Battilizer is a product worth knowing.

Battilizer combines batting and stabilizer into one product. Traditional batting used in a densely embroidered project may require separate stabilizer underneath. Battilizer is designed to provide stability for embroidery while remaining soft enough for a quilted project.

Why Use Battilizer?

Pros:

• Batting and stabilizer combined
• Designed specifically for embroidered quilting
• Supports dense embroidery
• Can eliminate a separate stabilizer layer in appropriate projects
• Maintains softness
• Particularly convenient for HoopSisters quilt-in-the-hoop designs

Things to Consider:

• More specialized than conventional quilt batting
• Unnecessary for many traditional quilts without embroidery
• Always follow the batting and stabilizer recommendations included with your embroidery design
• When Should You Use It?

Battilizer is an excellent choice when making an embroidered quilt, block or quilt-in-the-hoop project where the batting also needs to help support the embroidery stitches.

You get the softness and dimension of batting along with additional stability for machine embroidery.

 

10. Floriani Embroidery Batting: Made for Embroidered Quilting

Another favorite at Aurora Sewing Center is Floriani Embroidery Batting.

This specialty batting uses a stable cotton/poly blend and is needle punched to help prevent stretching, puckering and shrinkage during embroidery.  Its stabilizing characteristics are built into the batting, so an additional stabilizer isn't required for many quilt-in-the-hoop applications.

Why Choose Embroidery Batting?

Pros:

• Specifically designed for machine embroidery
• Provides batting plus stability
• Helps reduce stretching and puckering
• Handles light or dense embroidery
• Excellent for quilt-in-the-hoop projects
• Can save the step and bulk of adding a separate stabilizer
• Great Uses Include:
• Quilt-in-the-hoop projects
• Embroidered quilts
• Purses and handbags
• Baby projects
• Jackets and vests
• Table runners
• Home décor
• Embroidered wall hangings

For embroiderers, the big advantage is stability without sacrificing the quilted feel of the finished project.

 

Batting vs. Stabilizer: They're Not the Same Thing

This is an important distinction, especially for anyone getting started with machine embroidery.

Batting provides loft, softness, warmth and dimension.

Stabilizer supports the fabric and embroidery stitches during the embroidery process.

In traditional quilting, you may only need batting.

In machine embroidery, however, additional stabilization is often necessary.

Products such as HoopSisters Battilizer and Floriani Embroidery Batting help bridge that gap by combining characteristics needed for quilting with additional stability for embroidery.

Aurora Sewing Center’s Quick Batting Guide: Which Batting Should I Choose?

If Your Priority or Project Is …	Consider...
Traditional quilting feel	Quilters Dream Cotton
Lightweight or summer quilt	Dream Cotton Request
Everyday bed or lap quilt	Dream Cotton Select
More weight and quilting definition	Dream Cotton Deluxe
Maximum cotton thickness	Dream Cotton Supreme
Cotton feel with added durability	Dream Blend 70/30
Warmth without excessive weight	Dream Wool
Showcasing decorative quilting	Dream Wool
Faux trapunto or added dimension	Dream Wool
Soft, silky feel and beautiful drape	Dream Bamboo
Baby quilt or soft wearable	Dream Bamboo
Flame resistance is an important consideration	Dream Angel
Easier quilt sandwich with less pinning	Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 Fusible
Table runners, placemats or smaller fused projects	Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 Fusible
Embroidered quilts, embroidery projects	HoopSisters Battilizer
Quilt-in-the-hoop embroidery or Dense embroidered quilting	HoopSisters Battilizer or Floriani Embroidery Batting

 

Don't Forget About Loft

Sometimes the question isn't just "Which fiber should I use?" but "How much loft do I want?"

• Low loft keeps projects flatter, lighter and easier to manipulate.
• Medium loft provides a good balance of softness, warmth and visible quilting.
• Higher loft creates more dimension and helps emphasize quilting stitches.

Think about the finished project:

Do I want it lightweight or warm? Flat or dimensional? Soft and drapey or more structured? Do I want my quilting stitches to blend in—or really stand out? Will I be traditionally quilting it or embroidering it in the hoop?

Answering those questions can make choosing the right batting much easier.

Still Not Sure? Ask Us!  There isn't one "best" batting for every project.

The best batting is the one that gives you the look, feel, warmth, drape, loft and performance you want from your finished creation.

Bring your project, pattern or embroidery design into Aurora Sewing Center, and our team can help you choose the right batting, stabilizer and other supplies for what you're creating.

If you don’t see what you need or want, we can order the batting for you, including rolls of batting if desired.

Whether you're making your first quilt, quilting on your sewing or longarm machine, creating a bag or wearable, or exploring machine embroidery and quilt-in-the-hoop projects, we're here to help make the process easy, fun and enjoyable.

Shop batting, quilting supplies and machine embroidery essentials at Aurora Sewing Center—online or at one of our Western New York locations.

Let Us Quilt It for You!

Finished your quilt top? Let Aurora Sewing Center help you bring it across the finish line!

Our professional Longarm Quilting Services are completed at our Victor location, and batting is included with our quilting service, making the process even easier.

Not near Victor? No problem! After you have an appointment with our Longarmer over the phone or in person, simply drop off your quilt at any Aurora Sewing Center location, and we'll take care of getting it to our Victor Longarm Quilting team.

You did the piecing—let us help you finish your quilt!