What Is Cotton Batting with Scrim?
Pellon Natural Cotton Batting With Scrim is a needle-punched quilt batting made from 93% natural cotton with a 7% polypropylene scrim. The scrim is a very light, open stabilizing layer that runs through the batting. During needle punching, the cotton fibers are mechanically locked into that scrim, which lends strength and stability without adding bulk. The result resists bunching and bearding — that frustrating migration where batting fibers work their way through your quilt top — while still feeling soft and natural in the finished quilt.
This version comes on a generous bolt: 90 inches wide by 6 yards long. That wide, continuous format is what sets it apart from pre-cut package sizes. Instead of opening a new package for every project, you can cut exactly what you need for a series of quilts, table runners, and smaller projects, with far less waste and no piecing of batting scraps for larger tops.
Loft, Shrinkage, and Quilting Distance
Three numbers tell you most of what you need to know before you layer this batting into a quilt sandwich. First, loft is approximately 1/16 inch — a true low loft. Low loft gives you a flatter, more traditional drape and crisp stitch definition, rather than a puffy, high-relief look. It is an excellent choice when you want your piecing and quilting lines to be the stars, for wall hangings, and for quilts that will be folded and stored often.
Second, expect 3–5% shrinkage. That slight shrinkage after washing is what creates the soft, slightly crinkled, well-loved texture many quilters prize in cotton quilts. If you prefer that antique look, do not prewash. If you want the flattest possible finish, you can gently prewash the batting following the care guidance below.
Third, the recommended maximum stitch distance is 10 inches apart. That is a very forgiving quilting distance. Because the scrim holds the fibers together, you can quilt in wide grids, large stipples, or sparse longarm patterns without worrying that the batting will shift or separate inside the quilt. It also makes this batting friendly for hand quilting and for tying, as long as your ties stay within that 10-inch guideline.
Best Uses for a 90-Inch Bolt
At 90 inches wide, this bolt comfortably covers most twin and double quilts in a single width, and it can be turned for many throw and lap quilts so one cut serves efficiently. The 6-yard length means roughly 216 inches of usable batting — enough for multiple projects cut back-to-back. It is ideal for quilters who make quilts regularly, for longarm quilters who want a consistent batting on hand, and for groups or classes working through several tops in the same session.
Because it is natural cotton, it breathes well and is comfortable for bed quilts and everyday throws. Use it wherever you want warmth without weight, a flat drape, and reliable stability during quilting.
Working Tips and Care
Unroll and let the batting relax flat for a few hours before layering, so any fold lines ease out. Cut it 3 to 4 inches larger than your quilt top on all sides, smooth it without stretching, and baste or pin as usual — the scrim helps it feed evenly and resist distortion on the frame or under the needle.
This batting is washable by hand or machine and is dry cleanable. Wash finished quilts gently in cool water and dry on low for the least shrinkage and longest life. Store the remaining bolt loosely rolled, away from direct heat, so the low loft stays even for your next cut.
If you quilt often, keeping a wide bolt like this in the studio removes the last-minute scramble for the right size. You always have a stable, low-loft cotton option ready to cut and quilt.
Shop the Pellon® Natural Cotton Batting With Scrim 90" x 6 yards Bolt. at Linda's Electric Quilters.
