If you've ever stood in front of a wall of batting wondering whether bamboo blend is really different from cotton, this one's for you. Pellon's Bamboo/Cotton batting combines 47% rayon fiber made from bamboo with 46% cotton, and that blend gives you a batting that behaves a little differently — in mostly good ways — from plain cotton.
What Is Bamboo/Cotton Batting?
Bamboo batting isn't pure bamboo. In Pellon's version, rayon fiber made from bamboo is blended with natural cotton and needle-punched onto a soft polypropylene scrim. The scrim is a thin stabilizing layer that holds the batting together — it's the reason this batting resists bunching and bearding, even with heavy quilting.
Bamboo fiber has a smooth, slightly silky hand. When blended with cotton, you get a batting that drapes beautifully and feels softer than all-cotton options, while still retaining the familiar look and stitch definition quilters expect.
Why Quilters Choose It
This batting shines when drape and softness matter. It's a natural pick for:
- Quilts and throws that get cuddled under — the bamboo adds a buttery softness cotton alone can't match.
- Baby quilts and garments — bamboo fiber is often chosen for items worn or used against skin.
- Quilts that need stability — the scrim adds strength, so the batting holds its shape and won't distort during quilting.
The Key Specs
- Loft: 1/16 inch — low loft, so quilts lie flat and stitching definition stays crisp.
- Maximum quilt distance: 10 inches apart. That gives you wide-open quilting freedom, including big negative-space designs.
- Shrinkage: 3–5%. Expect a soft, vintage crinkle when you wash — or prewash the batting if you want to prevent it.
Tips for Working With It
- Consider prewashing. Because of the 3–5% shrinkage, prewash the batting if you don't want that crinkled, lived-in look — or skip it if you do.
- Quilt generously. With a 10-inch stitch distance, you can space your quilting wide. Just don't leave areas unquilted beyond that.
- Needles glide easily. The needle-punched construction is consistent and smooth, so hand quilters and longarmers alike will have an easy time.
Care
Washable by hand or machine and dry cleanable. To be safe with your finished project, wash gentle and dry on low, and consider testing a swatch first if you're mixing fiber contents in one quilt.
When Not to Use It
This low-loft, soft-drape batting isn't the best fit for every project. If you're making a wall hanging that needs body, or a quilt where you want bold, puffy stitch definition, a higher-loft polyester or wool batting will give you more pop. And because bamboo/cotton blend shrinks 3–5%, think twice before pairing it with a batting or backing that won't shrink at all — the mismatch can pucker the quilt.
Shop the Pellon® Bamboo/Cotton Batting Scrim 90" x 6 yards at Linda's Electric Quilters.
