Fabric is the personality of a quilt, while batting is its backbone. And yet, batting is where a lot of quilters freeze up. The package may look nice, but suddenly you're doing math. You worry about shrinkage. Is 96″ really wide enough for a queen quilt? Also, should you use cotton or cotton-poly blend? And is buying a roll smart or overkill?
We've seen it all. Beautiful quilt tops get sidelined because the batting was too narrow. Some quilters buy far more yardage than they'll ever use. Or come up three yards short mid-project.
As long-time quilting suppliers, we've helped thousands of quilters sort through these decisions. This guide is built on experience, not theory. We're here to help you choose batting that fits your projects and how you actually work.
We’ll clear the confusion so you can stitch with confidence.
Start with Quilt Size and Batting Width
Before you think about fiber or brand names, pull out a calculator. One error we often see is buying batting that’s too narrow. That forces seams into the batting. No one wants that.
Here's the width math in plain language: your batting must be wider than your quilt top, plus an extra 4 to 6 inches on all sides for quilting and trimming. Longarm setups usually need additional margin.
When 96″ Works
A 96″-wide batting is often sufficient for:
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Throw quilts
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Lap quilts
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Baby quilts
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Wall hangings
If your finished quilt top is about 60″ to 70″ wide, 96″ batting provides breathing room without excess bulk. This width is popular for domestic machine quilters and smaller projects.
For twin, full, or queen-size quilts, you need to do the math. A standard queen quilt top runs about 90″ x 100″ finished. This means you need at least 98″ width of batting. This is where wide batting options become essential rather than optional.
When 108″ or 120″ Is Necessary
Once you move into queen and king territory, 96″ often falls short. This is where wide batting shines.
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108″ batting is the go-to for most queen quilts.
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120″ batting is ideal for kings, oversized quilts, and longarm setups.
Wide batting allows you to quilt in one piece, no seams and no stress. Longarm quilters, in particular, prefer 108″ or 120″ widths because they load cleaner on the frame and save time.
Bottom line: measure your quilt top and add your margins. Let that number (not guesswork) dictate the width.
Understanding Batting Fiber Types
Fiber affects how the quilt drapes, how it stitches, and how it behaves after washing. Popular options include cotton, polyester, bamboo, wool, and silk blends.
For most quilters, decision comes down to two workhorses: 100% cotton and 80/20 cotton-poly blends.
100% Cotton Batting
Cotton batting works beautifully for traditional piecing, hand quilting, and projects with a low-loft profile. Brands like Warm & Natural cotton batting are known for this natural finish.
The tradeoff? Shrinkage. Quality cotton batting shrinks roughly 3 to 5% after the first wash. So, plan for it. If you're making a quilt that needs precise dimensions (like a bed quilt with a planned drop), either pre-wash your batting (yes, it's annoying) or make your top slightly larger.
Cotton batting also has closer quilting requirements, typically 3″ to 4″ apart. Some brands even push 8″ to 10″. Read the packaging. If you're a minimalist quilter who prefers wide negative space, cotton batting might fight you.
80/20 Cotton-Poly Blends
An 80/20 blend combines cotton’s look with polyester’s durability. That small polyester portion makes a noticeable difference.
Professional quilters appreciate its consistency. The blend is also forgiving, making it great for kids’ quilts or projects that will see a lot of washing. If you want a traditional look without cotton’s quirks, 80/20 hits that sweet spot.
For example, Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 handles beautifully on both domestic and longarm machines. Plus, you can quilt up to 4″ to 5″ apart without worry. The polyester content means minimal shrinkage, usually around 1 to 2%. As a result, your finished dimensions stay predictable.
Choosing a Batting Brand You Can Trust
Consistency matters, especially when you’re quilting larger projects or buying in volume. Bearding (fibers poking through your fabric), uneven thickness, excessive shrinkage, or batting that pulls apart during quilting can be major problems if you go wrong with the wrong brand.
Hobbs Batting (Heirloom & 80/20)
Hobbs has been an industry staple for decades, and there’s a reason professionals rely on it.
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Heirloom 100% cotton offers a classic, flat finish.
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Hobbs 80/20 balances durability and tradition.
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Available in wide widths and rolls.
Hobbs’ Heirloom cotton and 80/20 blend perform predictably. Professional longarmers stock Hobbs batting because they can't afford surprises when they're quilting for customers.
Quilter’s Dream Batting
Quilter’s Dream is known for convenience and quality control. The brand offers batting in pre-cut sizes designed for standard bed dimensions like Twin, Queen, and King. If you’re making a queen-size quilt, ordering that specific Quilter’s Dream size takes the guesswork out and ensures proper overhang.
For quilters who make one or two bed quilts a year and want to skip the math, these pre-sized packages are genuinely useful.
Warm & Natural
Warm & Natural focuses on cotton batting with a slightly denser feel. It is needle-punched for strength and works well for straight-line and free-motion quilting. Quilters often choose it for utility quilts, everyday bed quilts, and projects that will be washed often. It’s a dependable option if you prefer cotton and want a sturdy finish.
Batting by the Yard vs Batting by the Roll
If you make one or two quilts a year, buying batting by the yard makes perfect sense. Cut what you need and pay for what you use. But if you're a longarm quilter, production quilter, or active guild member cranking out charity quilts, batting by the roll changes the economics completely.
Who Should Buy Rolls
Batting rolls are designed for:
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Longarm quilters
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Quilt businesses
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Guilds and group projects
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Anyone quilting frequently in the same width and fiber
A typical batting roll contains 30 yards. Yes, that's a lot of batting. It also represents significant cost savings per yard, often 20 to 30% less than buying equivalent yardage in smaller cuts. For professional quilters, this isn't even a question. The savings pay for themselves within a few quilts.
Storage Considerations
A roll of 96″ wide batting takes up space. You need storage to prevent creasing and contamination. Ideally, it should be kept somewhere you can unroll and cut without wrestling it through a narrow hallway. If you have a dedicated studio and you quilt regularly, buying rolls makes financial sense.
For hobby quilters, yardage or pre-cut sizes is better. They’re easier to store and cheaper upfront. You can also choose the right batting for each project without overbuying.
Here's the business logic: if you make more than 8 to 10 quilts annually, calculate the batting you'll use. Chances are good that a roll or two will cost less than buying piecemeal. Moreover, it should eliminate those “I'm three yards short” moments mid-project.
Longarm vs Domestic Machine Considerations
The quilting machine influences batting choices more than most people realize. Longarm machines and domestic machines have different tolerances. For example, batting that works beautifully on one might frustrate you on the other.
Stitch Distance
Batting packages list maximum stitch distances for a reason. Cotton typically prefers closer quilting. Blends and polyester allow wider spacing. Longarm machines can handle:
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Thicker battings
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Wider stitch distances
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Larger quilt loads
Domestic machines are better suited to:
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Lower loft battings
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Moderate thickness
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Smaller projects
If you're quilting on a domestic machine and planning minimal quilting, make sure your batting allows adequate spacing. Some cotton battings require quilting every 3 to 4 inches, which might mean more work than you bargained for.
Thickness and Tension
Matching batting thickness to machine capability keeps quilting enjoyable instead of frustrating. High-loft batting looks dramatic, but it isn’t always domestic-machine friendly. Thicker batting increases drag and can strain tension systems. Longarms handle loft with ease. Domestic machines often perform better with flatter battings that feed smoothly through the throat space.
4 Common Batting Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
We see the same issues over and over. The good news is they’re easy to avoid once you know what to watch for.
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Buying too narrow.
This is the most common mistake. Add 4 to 6 inches on each side. Then buy batting that width or wider. If your dimensions push past 96″ in any direction, you need wide batting. Trying to seam batting together is miserable work that creates weak points in your finished quilt. -
Ignoring shrinkage.
If you're using 100% cotton batting and want that crinkled look, great. Just know it's coming and plan accordingly. If you need precise dimensions, either pre-wash your batting or choose a low-shrinkage blend. Don't discover the shrinkage issue after you've bound a quilt that's supposed to fit a specific bed. -
Choosing loft blindly.
High-loft batting looks puffy and cozy in the package, but it might not suit your project. Modern quilts often look better with low-loft batting that keeps things flat and graphic. Traditional quilts might want that medium loft for dimension. So pick your loft intentionally. -
Overbuying or underbuying yardage
Measure twice, buy once. For a queen quilt, you need about 3 to 3.5 yards of 108″ wide batting (depending on your exact dimensions). For a king, plan on 3.5 to 4 yards of 120″ width. Add a bit extra rather than coming up short. But don't buy what you need twice unless you're planning another project immediately.
Conclusion
To be clear, there’s no single “best” quilt batting that works for every quilter. A longarm professional making production quilts has different needs than someone hand-quilting an heirloom piece. A modern minimalist quilt wants different batting than a traditional scrap quilt.
Base your decision on your project. Start with quilt size and width. Choose fiber based on how the quilt will be used and washed. Stick with trusted brands that deliver consistent results. And buy quantities that match how often you quilt.
When batting choices align with your machine and your goals, everything else gets easier.
Ready to stock up? Browse our complete quilt batting selection to find exactly what your next project needs.
