About Best batting for the baby quilt. Making your baby a quilt is a great way to give a unique and special blanket. A personalized and beautiful design will create lasting memories as your child grows. Quilts have many different layers that are both soft and warm. Making a quilt out of love is also a pleasurable experience for you as a parent, but you need to be sure to choose suitable materials. This article will go into the different batting materials you can choose from, things to keep in mind, and what materials are the best for creating a quilt for your baby.
（pink cotton thread, needle and scissors on the table）
1. What is Quilt Batting?
What you use to stuff the quilt is considered batting. It is usually a sheet of fabric. You use batting to make the blanket warmer, textured, cozier, heavier, and softer. In other words, it is the material that you put inside the pieces of fabric to complete the blanket. Batting comes in many sizes, shapes, and fibers, so you need to be sure to pick the right one for your baby’s quilt.
2. Batting and Baby Quilt Products
2.1 Polyester Batting
Many different kinds of crafting use polyester, and it can be a good choice for a quilt. Synthetic fibers make up the polyester batting, which makes it feel more silky and slippery. It is soft, stretchy, and usually flame-retardant. It is also elastic, flexible, and does not shrink as much when washed.
Advantages:
If you are sewing your quilt by hand instead of a machine, polyester batting is a good option. The loft is high, which means it will have a thicker and more comforter-type of finish. Besides, it provides a lot of warmth. Quilts with polyester batting are light-weight, less expensive, stretchy, low maintenance, and soft.
Disadvantages:
The problems with polyester batting are that it is less breathable because of the synthetic fibers, and it is not suitable for quilting with a machine since it is slippery. For instance, the polyester fibers are more likely to shift and beard, which means they could push through the fabric outside the quilt.
Mountain Mist Polyester Quilt Batting
- Size: 36”x40.”
- Price: $11
Mountain Mist is a great option for polyester batting. It has a medium loft of 1/4-inch-to 3/8-inch, is durable, and will give a quilted light and airy feel.
Fairfield Polyester Batting
- Size: 45”x60.”
- Price: $10.14
Fairfield also offers a good option for polyester batting. It also has a medium loft of 3/8″ and claims to be breathable, even though polyester batting has a problem with breathability.
2.2 Cotton Batting
Cotton batting contains natural fibers, which are light and breathable. However, it feels like a thick flannel and is the heaviest weight batting.
Advantages:
Cotton batting has been the go-to for many years and ages well. Since you are using 100 percent cotton, you can expect it to shrink. However, this is not necessarily bad. It does get softer overtime, even though it can start a bit stiff. Besides, you can find it in different lofts.
Disadvantages:
It is more expensive than polyester, but it is also natural and one of the least harmful compositions. It is not ideal for hand quilting but works well for machines. However, the cotton may also discolor over time. While it does soften and drape well, later on, this can take some time and several washing items to get this effect.
Warm Company Batting
- Size: 72”x90.”
- Price: $15.88
This batting from Warm Company can be quilted or used as an exterior fabric. You do not need to pre-wash it, and you can throw it in the washing machine after it is quilted. Also, it is soft and natural.
Quilters Dream Thin Quilt Batting
- Size: 60”x60.”
- Price: $19.29
This cotton batting by Quilters Dream of USA-Grown cotton makes this batting soft and hypoallergenic. Above all, it is lightweight, sturdy, free from chemicals, and machine washable.
2.3 Fabric Blend Batting
When shopping for quilt batting, you can also find fabric blends. These blends usually combine cotton and polyester. Both fabrics are durable and complement each other well. Also, it is less likely to shrink, works for machine building, and is budget-friendly.
Advantages:
It can be used for machine quilting and is budget-friendly. By combining these fabrics, you will get a stretchy and soft fabric that keeps its shape. It is also mold and mildew-resistant.
Disadvantages:
It is not a good option for hand quilting and is more expensive than pure polyester due to cotton production. However, your machine will need to work a bit harder because of the density of the fabric.
Hobbs Batting Heirloom 80/20
- Size: 90”x108”
- Price: $26.95
This fabric blend consists of 80 percent cotton and 20 percent polyester. This amount of fabric will accommodate a queen-size quilt, but you can cut it down. Also, it contains a light resin bonding to increase durability and strength.
Fairfield Quilter’s Fabric Blend
- Size: 72”x90.”
- Price: $19.99
This fabric blend also consists of 80 percent cotton and 20 percent polyester. However, it is light-weight and airy. The polyester helps it retain its shape, and this fabric is ideal for year-round quilts.
2.4 Best Batting for the Baby Quilt–Bamboo Quilt Batting
Bamboo batting is relatively new, but it is a good option for baby quilts because it is natural. Many times it is a combination with other fabrics, but it is light and breathable. Besides, it also dries quickly.
Advantages:
Bamboo is sustainable and eco-friendly. It is easy to care for, low maintenance, breathable and soft. It will not mildew or mold, is all-natural, and an excellent option for those who have sensitive skin.
Disadvantages:
It is more expensive than other types of batting. It is also thinner and less warm.
Pellon Bamboo Rayon Batting
- Size: 72”x96.”
- Price:$21.20
This product from Pellon contains 50 percent Rayon/Bamboo and 50 percent cotton. It is made in the USA and quilts well by hand or machine. Above all, it is soft, firm, and an excellent option for a baby quilt.
Quilters Dream Orient Bamboo and Silk Blend
Size: 93”x72.”
Price: $29.95
This batting is a blend of bamboo, silk, Tencel, and cotton. With this combination, the drape comes out elegant, silky, and soft. It is easy to sew and has no issues with bearding. It is a unique combination that includes bamboo. Besides, it is warm, breathable, durable, and machine-washable.
2.5 Best Batting for the Baby Quilt– Wool Batting
Wool batting is made up of 100 percent natural wool and is considered more specialized. It is more likely to shrink and needs more care than other fabrics. It can be lightweight, but it is warm. However, it is not an ideal choice for a baby quilt because they could react.
Advantages:
Wool batting is natural, provides warmth, and drapes well. It is also suitable for both machine and hand quilting, resistant to creases, and has medium loft fiber.
Disadvantages:
It shrinks more than other fabrics and is not suitable for allergy-prone skin. However, it is also more expensive.
Quilters Dream Wool Batting
- Size: 61”x60.”
- Price: $20.72
This wool batting has domestic and fine Merino Wool. It has been washed to eliminate shrinkage and can be machine-washed. It is resistant to creases and works well for both hand and machine quilting.
Hobbs Tuscany Wool Batting
- Size: 96”x108”
- Price: $49.99
This wool batting provides excellent insulation, is washable, and hand quilts very well. It has been washed to eliminate most shrinkage and is carded and resin bonded to help avoid bearding.
3. Considerations for Best Batting for the Baby Quilt
What size to buy
For a baby quilt, 36” by 36’ is the most commonly used, but you can buy larger batting and cut it if you need to. You can buy it based on bed sizes or by the yard.
Loft: Low Loft Batting versus High Loft Batting
When shopping for quilt batting, you will see fabrics called low loft or high loft. Loft describes how fluffy your batting is. The higher the attic, the softer it will be. A low loft can be better because it is a lot easier to work with and handle.
Batting Methods
There are various methods for how the manufacturer may have bound the fibers together. These batting methods keep the batting from breaking apart. They may bond it with thermal or resin. It could be needle-punched with tiny needles, which makes the fabric more robust and denser. Scrim is needle-punched and has an extra layer of stabilizer to make it stronger and loftier.
Methods of cleaning
With having kids, you will want a batting that is easy to clean. Make sure that what you choose can go into the washing machine.
Extent of deformation
Also, consider how well the batting will hold its shape. Cotton and wool will both shrink, but many of them are pre-washed.
Which type of batting for baby quilt is best to use?
When you make a quilt for a baby, cotton batting is the best choice, and people have used it for a long time. It is the most comfortable and softens with age. It is low maintenance, breathable, and made of natural fibers.
Summary
There are many different choices for batting for baby quilts, but cotton will serve you the best. It is all-natural, easy to care for, and one of the least harmful compositions. Your baby will love it for years to come since the material ages so well and becomes softer with use.