Custom Embroidery Services

South Coast Quilting offers a wide variety of batting at affordable prices to our clients. This allows us to provide our clients with high-quality batting by purchasing only the required amount to finish your quilt. We only stock and supply Australian-made batting products such as Matilda's Own and NuWool, but if you prefer, you can also bring your own batting. We are more than happy to work with any batting that you supply.

What is batting and which batting should I choose for my quilt?

The type of batting is very much a personal choice. Here is some information to help you decide your preferences that will give your quilt the best possible results. 

Batting is the centre layer of your quilt “sandwich,” it not only helps keep you warm but also supplies structure for your quilt top.

Batting for quilts also is necessary for stability when quilting the layers together and provides the support needed for the quilt sandwich.

Depending on the type of batting you choose the entire look and feel of your quilt can change. Different types of batting fibre give you different lofts or thicknesses impacting the overall quilt design.

Every quilt deserves to have the best batting. If you choose the wrong type of batting, you may not get the overall look you are desiring, for example, your quilt may appear vintage when you want it to look modern. On the other hand, you may want it to look vintage, and it never seems that way even after several washings.

It may be too heavy for the intended recipient or not heavy enough. Also, the wrong batting fabric may make the quilt puffy, and therefore the amazing quilting you have carefully chosen for your top is lost in the billow.

With so many choices available, how do you know what will be the best for your specific quilt? Before you decide, you will want to ask yourself several questions to narrow down the options.

What is the type of quilt?

· Baby quilt

· Quilt for a bed or heirloom quilt

· Wall hanging/table runner

· Lap quilt

Do you want it to look vintage after you wash it?

Do you want it to be heavy or light? Appear thin or puffy?

Types of Batting

You have several different fibres to choose from. Here at South Coast Quilting, we are happy to make recommendations that are aligned with the overall finished look you may be seeking, including quilting design, loft, warmth, and weight. 

Let’s look at the most common batting fibres and the pros and cons of each.

Made from 100% cotton, the cotton fibre batting is dense, low loft batting, and is one of the most popular fibres for machine quilting.

Pros:

· Great for   machine quilting

· Natural   fibre

· Softens over time.

Cons:

· Shrinks   3%-5% in the first wash.

· Heaviest   batting option

This is usually a blend of cotton (80%) and polyester (20%). Cotton blend is the most used batting option.

Pros:

· Another   great option for machine quilting

· Less expensive than 100% cotton.

· Lighter weight than the 100% cotton.

Cons:

· Can have  “bearding,” which means the polyester fibres may come through the quilt top and backing creating a fuzzy texture.

· Can flatten over time.

Polyester is a synthetic fibre that is a less expensive option than the other options in this list. It is not generally very conducive to machine quilting and fails to achieve the best results using this medium.

Pros:

· Inexpensive

· Warmer   than cotton

Cons:

· Bearding may occur.

· Can loose   its shape over time as it flattens.

Another 100% natural fibre batting, wool is a beautiful option if you want a plush, warm quilt. With its plush high loft volume, you can show off some gorgeous machine quilting designs with this batting option. 

Pros:

· 100% natural

· Warm and soft

· Pre-washed   and Pre-shrunk & Hypoallergenic 

· Very   stable with very minimal shrinkage if care instructions are followed. 

Cons:

· A little   more expensive than other options

This is a blend of wool and polyester with the ratio most commonly being 60% wool and 40% polyester, is hypoallergenic and has a very stable plush high loft volume, enhancing the quilt design.

Pros:

Strong and stable fibres holding shape and structure.

Warm and soft with a mid-high loft.

A cheaper option than 100% natural wool fibres

Cons:

 A little more expensive than 100%
polyester options.

This is a blend of 60% pure wool and 40% pure Cotton, is hypoallergenic and has a very stable mid-high loft volume, enhancing the quilt design. 

Pros:

Strong and stable fibres holding shape and structure.

Warm and soft, lighter weight than pure wool.  

Fine scrim to lock in fibres and prevent bearding.

Has a  unique blend of fibres to increase loft and produce a very soft result.

Cons:

A little more expensive than 100%  polyester options.