Quilt batting is the middle layer of a quilt, the fill that sits between the top and the backing. It sets how thick, warm and drapey the finished quilt feels, and how easy it is to stitch through. Cotton, cotton-polyester blends, bamboo blends and bonded polyester are the common types.
The six battings below cover those types, from natural cotton to a fusible blend and two polyester lofts. Fiber content, size and loft come from each product’s listing page, and a few listings leave out details such as loft, which we note below. We have not used these battings ourselves. Care and shrinkage claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Fiber | Cotton, blends and polyester drape and breathe differently |
| Loft | Low loft gives a flat, traditional look; higher loft gives more relief to the stitching |
| Size | Sizes run from crib to queen, so match the batting to your quilt top plus margin |
| Quilting distance | The maker’s recommended spacing between stitching lines |
Specs at a Glance
| Batting | Fiber | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm and Natural | Cotton, per the listing title | Twin, 72 x 90 in | Listing gives no loft or care details |
| Fairfield Quilter’s 80/20 | 80% cotton, 20% polyester | 90 x 108 in | 3 oz per sq yd; loft 3/16 in |
| Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 Fusible | 80% cotton, 20% polyester | Queen, 90 x 108 in | Double-sided fusible; loft about 1/8 in |
| Pellon Nature’s Touch B-96 | Bamboo and cotton blend | Queen, 96 x 108 in | Has scrim; loft not stated |
| Poly-Fil Low-Loft | 100% polyester | Crib, 45 x 60 in | 2 oz per sq yd; loft about 1/4 in |
| Poly-Fil Extra-Loft | 100% polyester | 45 x 60 in | Medium loft; hypoallergenic, per the maker |
The 6 Best Batting for Quilts
1. Warm Company Warm and Natural Cotton Batting
A cotton batting in the 72 x 90 inch twin size, according to the listing title. The listing page gives product weight as 1.34 pounds but little else about the fiber or loft.
Suits: a natural cotton quilt. Strengths: a clear twin size and a well-known maker. Weaknesses: sparse listing detail. Skip it if you need stated loft or care data.
View Warm and Natural Cotton Batting on Amazon
2. Fairfield Quilter’s 80/20 Quilt Batting
An 80% cotton, 20% polyester blend measuring 90 x 108 inches. The listing says it is needlepunched, low loft at 3/16 inch, 3 oz per square yard, needs no pre-soaking and has an estimated shrinkage of 2 to 3 percent.
Suits: hand and machine quilting. Strengths: a stated loft, weight and quilting distance of 2 to 4 inches. Weaknesses: the care field says hand wash only. Skip it if you want pure cotton.
View Fairfield Quilter’s 80/20 Batting on Amazon
3. Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 Fusible Quilt Batting
A queen-size 90 x 108 inch cotton blend with a double-sided fusible surface that bonds top, batting and backing with heat. The listing gives the blend as 80% cotton and 20% polyester, with a loft of about 1/8 inch.
Suits: quilters who want to skip pinning. Strengths: a fusible surface and low loft. Weaknesses: needs an iron for the fusing step. Skip it if you prefer to baste by hand.
View Hobbs Heirloom Fusible Batting on Amazon
4. Pellon B-96 Nature’s Touch Bamboo Blend Batting
A queen-size 96 x 108 inch batting with scrim, listed as a bamboo and cotton blend. The listing does not state loft, weight or care details.
Suits: a natural-fiber alternative to plain cotton. Strengths: a large queen size. Weaknesses: little detail on the listing. Skip it if you need stated loft.
View Pellon Nature’s Touch Bamboo Batting on Amazon
5. Fairfield Poly-Fil Low-Loft Batting, Crib Size
A 100% bonded polyester batting in a 45 x 60 inch crib size, made in the USA. The listing gives a weight of 2 oz per square yard, a loft of about 1/4 inch and a quilting distance of 2 to 4 inches, and says it will not beard or shift.
Suits: baby quilts, lap quilts and wall hangings. Strengths: stated loft and weight. Weaknesses: small size only. Skip it if you are making a bed-size quilt.
View Poly-Fil Low-Loft Batting on Amazon
6. Fairfield Poly-Fil Extra-Loft Quilt Batting
A 100% bonded polyester batting at 45 x 60 inches with a medium loft that the maker says gives pronounced relief when hand quilting. The listing calls it hypoallergenic and suitable for tied quilts and trapunto.
Suits: tied quilts and beginners. Strengths: a puffier look. Weaknesses: no exact loft figure on the listing. Skip it if you want a flat, traditional look.
View Poly-Fil Extra-Loft Batting on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Lay the batting flat for a while before use so folds relax.
- Cut the batting a few inches larger than the quilt top on every side.
- Follow the maker’s quilting distance so the fill stays in place.
- Check each listing for pre-wash advice before you start.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a crib-size batting for a bed quilt.
- Ignoring the recommended quilting distance.
- Using fusible batting without checking how it needs to be heated.
- Assuming every listing states loft when some do not.
Quilt Batting FAQ
What is the best cotton batting for quilts here?
The Warm and Natural is listed as cotton, and the Fairfield and Hobbs are 80% cotton blends. Check each fiber line before buying.
Are there lightweight batting choices for quilts?
The Hobbs lists about 1/8 inch loft and the Fairfield 80/20 lists 3/16 inch. Both are low loft, according to the listings.
What batting suits tied quilts?
The Poly-Fil Extra-Loft listing names tied quilts. The six picks here do not include a wool batting.
Which is the fusible option?
The Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 Fusible is the one fusible batting here, per its listing.
The Short Version
For cotton, the Warm and Natural. For a cotton blend, the Fairfield 80/20. For fusible, the Hobbs. For a bamboo blend, the Pellon. For small low-loft projects, the Poly-Fil Low-Loft. For a puffier fill, the Poly-Fil Extra-Loft.
