Hobbs 80/20 Heirloom 96" roll. It’s forgiving, widely available, beard-resistant, and the most popular longarm batting in the industry. Start here and branch out as you develop preferences.

No. Most batting is designed to be used directly from the roll or package. The slight shrinkage on first wash creates the beloved antique crinkle. Pre-washing removes this effect and adds unnecessary time.

100% cotton batting shrinks 3–5% on first wash. 80/20 blends shrink 1–3%. Polyester batting does not shrink at all.

Hobbs Polydown 9oz roll or 6oz roll — durable, machine washable, holds loft through repeated washes, and economical per yard. Polyester is the practical choice for quilts that will be used hard.

Quilters Dream Select 4oz cotton or Hobbs 100% Natural Cotton for traditional categories. Quilters Dream Wool for heirloom categories. Hobbs Tuscany Bleached Cotton for white-on-white.

Yes — butt the edges together and join with a herringbone hand stitch or wide zigzag machine stitch. Keep the seam away from the quilt edges for cleaner loading.

Most likely cause: unbonded batting on a loosely woven fabric. Fix: switch to a resin-bonded batting (Hobbs 80/20 or Polydown) and use 200+ thread count fabric on dark quilts.

4–6 inches on all four sides of the quilt top. More is better — you can always trim the excess after quilting.

Scrim is a thin stabilizing layer needled into the batting. It adds stability for longarm loading and improves beard resistance. Scrim-free battings have a finer, more drapey hand but require more care when loading.

Super-washed wool battings (like Quilters Dream Wool) can be gently machine washed cold. Standard wool battings (like Hobbs Heirloom Wool) prefer hand washing or dry cleaning.

Yes — batting scraps are useful for small projects, pot holders, stuffing, and practice quilts. Store in a sealed bag to keep clean and lint-free.

Indefinitely in proper storage: room temperature, away from sunlight, lying flat or on a tube. Keep in the original wrapper or a breathable fabric cover. Avoid plastic bags that trap moisture.

Quilters Dream Wool (finest needle feel) or Quilters Dream Select 4oz cotton (flat, traditional hand). Both offer minimal needle resistance and beautiful stitch definition.

Most battings don’t have a right or wrong side. Some scrimmed battings have a slightly different texture on each side — either can face up. When in doubt, the smoother side typically faces the quilt top.

100% cotton batting (Quilters Dream Select or Hobbs Natural Cotton) or Quilters Dream Bamboo. Both are breathable and comfortable in warm weather. Avoid high-loft polyester which traps heat.

Hobbs Heirloom Wool or Tuscany Cotton/Wool for warmth with natural fiber. Hobbs Polydown for maximum loft and insulation without natural fiber care requirements.

For most garments, use Hobbs Thermore (ultra-thin, designed for garments). Standard quilt batting is too lofty and creates bulk at seams in clothing.

Needle-punching is the manufacturing process where barbed needles mechanically entangle the batting fibers, creating a cohesive batt without chemicals or heat. Most quality battings are needle-punched.

It’s the maximum distance between quilting lines that the manufacturer guarantees the batting will hold together through washing without shifting or lumping. Never exceed this distance.

Hobbs 80/20 Heirloom is the most versatile — good for almost every project, widely available, priced reasonably, and trusted by professional longarm quilters worldwide. It’s the right starting point for any quilter evaluating battings.