Hobbs 80/20 vs Quilters Dream Cotton Batting — Which Is Right for Your Quilt?

Hobbs 80/20 vs Quilters Dream Cotton Batting — Which Is Right for Your Quilt? | Linda's Electric Quilters

Batting Comparison · Longarm & Home Machine

Hobbs 80/20 vs.
Quilters Dream Cotton

We sell both in volume. Here's the unvarnished breakdown — fiber, loft, drape, longarm behavior, and which one belongs in your next quilt.

Updated June 2026
Written by Linda's Quilting Staff
Read time ~4 min
Our Take

Hobbs 80/20 for longarm production work. Quilters Dream Cotton for hand quilting, show quilts, and anything that will be washed hard for years.

Hobbs Bonded Fibers

Heirloom 80/20 Batting
96" Roll · 30 yards

SKU: HLBY-96

Hobbs 80/20 Heirloom 96-inch batting roll, 30 yards
  • Fiber80% Cotton · 20% Poly
  • ScrimResin-bonded
  • LoftLow–medium
  • Max quilting4" apart
  • Shrinkage~3% first wash
  • Width96"
  • Price / roll$149.99
Shop Hobbs 80/20 →

Quilters Dream Batting

Select Cotton Batting
Queen Roll · 93" × 30 yds

SKU: QDDS-N4QR

Quilters Dream Select Cotton queen batting roll 93 inches by 30 yards
  • Fiber100% Natural Cotton
  • ScrimNone
  • LoftVery low / flat
  • Max quilting8" apart
  • Shrinkage~5% first wash
  • Width93"
  • Price / roll$268.94
Shop Quilters Dream →

Head-to-Head

How They Actually Compare

Hobbs 80/20 Heirloom Quilters Dream Select Cotton
Fiber content 80% cotton, 20% polyester 100% natural cotton
Scrim / bonding Resin-bonded — resists bearding, holds shape under needle No scrim — pure fiber, softest needle hand
Loft & drape Low-medium loft; slight body, good for wall quilts Loft Flat, dense drape; pooling quality for bed quilts Drape
Longarm performance Excellent — scrim prevents shifting, loads fast Longarm Good — needs careful loading; shows detail beautifully
Hand quilting Good — slight resin drag Superior — needles like butter, no drag Hand
Shrinkage ~3% — gentle antique crinkle Stable ~5% — more pronounced crinkle effect
Washability Machine wash / dry — poly helps retain shape Tie Machine wash / dry — softens more with each wash
Breathability High — mostly cotton Highest — pure fiber, ideal for warm climates Natural
Show / competition Common choice — excellent quilting definition Preferred — judges favor the soft, antique-quality hand Show
Baby quilts Great — durable, easy care Tie Great — 100% natural fiber, softens beautifully
Price (96–93" roll) $149.99 / 30 yd roll Value $268.94 / 30 yd roll

Decision Guide

Who Should Choose Which

Choose Hobbs 80/20 if you…

  • Run a longarm service and need batting that loads fast without shifting
  • Want the classic antique crinkle look without heavy shrinkage
  • Make quilts for gifting, everyday use, or kids
  • Prefer a slightly loftier finish that photographs well
  • Want to stay under $5 per yard on batting cost
  • Are making wall quilts that need to hang flat with some body

Choose Quilters Dream Cotton if you…

  • Hand quilt and need the softest needle-pull possible
  • Are entering a show or competition where judges assess hand
  • Want 100% natural fiber — no synthetics, no resins
  • Make bed quilts that will be used and washed for decades
  • Live in a warm climate and prioritize breathability
  • Want the flattest, most flowing drape for a traditional look

Common Questions

What Quilters Ask Us Most

Hobbs 80/20 Heirloom is an 80% cotton, 20% polyester blend with a resin-bonded scrim that resists bearding and needle drag. Quilters Dream Select Cotton is 100% natural cotton, scrim-free, and designed for quilts that will be washed and used for years. Hobbs runs slightly loftier and is more forgiving on a longarm. Quilters Dream lays flatter and is preferred for hand quilting or show pieces.
Hobbs 80/20 Heirloom shrinks approximately 3% on the first wash, creating a desirable antique crinkle texture. The polyester content prevents excessive shrinkage. Pre-washing is not required or recommended.
Yes — it works well on a longarm, but because it has no scrim it can shift slightly during loading. Its thin, dense construction shows quilting detail beautifully. Many longarm professionals use Hobbs for production work and switch to Quilters Dream for heirloom or custom-tier pieces.
Both are widely used and safe. Quilters Dream Select Cotton is often preferred because it is 100% natural fiber, washes beautifully, and softens with every wash. Hobbs 80/20 handles repeated laundering very well — its polyester gives it slightly more durability.
Quilters Dream Select Cotton is the clear choice for hand quilting. Its 100% cotton, scrim-free construction needles with almost no resistance. Hobbs 80/20 can be hand-quilted but the resin bonding creates slightly more needle drag.
Hobbs 80/20 Heirloom is rated for quilting lines up to 4 inches apart. Quilters Dream Select Cotton is rated for up to 8 inches apart. Exceeding these maximums risks batting migration and shifting after washing.

Ready to order?

Both ship fast from our warehouse. Questions about which width fits your frame? Call or chat — we quilt on longarms ourselves.

Shop All Hobbs Batting Shop All Quilters Dream
Prices and availability current as of June 2026. In-stock quantities may vary.