Quilters Dream Orient Express vs Select — Which Cotton Batting Is Right?
Quilters Dream Orient Express vs Quilters Dream Select — Which Cotton Batting Is Right?
Quilters Dream makes two popular cotton battings: Select (100% natural cotton) and Orient Express (a cotton/poly blend). Despite similar packaging, they behave quite differently. Here’s the complete breakdown.
Linda’s Electric Quilters Expert Comparison
Quilters Dream Select
SKU: N4Q (queen)
$35.39
100% natural cotton • 4oz • Mechanically cleaned • No chemicals • Crosslapped • Flat, drapey
Shop QD Select
Quilters Dream Orient Express
SKU: OEQ (queen)
$35.39
Cotton/poly blend • 4oz • Mechanically cleaned • No chemicals • More stable • Slight loft
Shop Orient Express
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | QD Select | QD Orient Express |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber | 100% natural cotton Select | Cotton/poly blend Orient Express |
| Loft | Very flat — classic cotton drape Select | Slight loft — more stable Orient Express |
| Shrinkage | 2–3% first wash | Less — poly stabilizes Orient Express |
| Natural fiber | Yes — 100% cotton Select | Cotton/poly mix |
| Show quilts | Classic choice Select | Good |
| Longarm stability | Good | Better — poly adds resistance to shifting Orient Express |
| Price (queen) | $35.39 Tie | $35.39 |
▶ Our VerdictSame price, different personalities. Select is the pure cotton choice: flat, drapey, natural. Orient Express is the blend: slightly more stable on the longarm with less shrinkage. Both are mechanically cleaned and chemical-free — the choice comes down to fiber preference.
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose QD Select if you…
- Want 100% natural cotton only
- Love the flat, pooling cotton drape
- Make show quilts in traditional categories
- Don’t mind slight shrinkage for the crinkle effect
Choose Orient Express if you…
- Want a cotton/poly blend for more stability
- Do longarm work where less shifting is a plus
- Prefer less shrinkage on first wash
- Make everyday quilts where small crinkle is preferred
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Orient Express the same as Hobbs 80/20?
No — they’re both cotton/poly blends, but from different manufacturers with different constructions. Orient Express uses Quilters Dream’s mechanically cleaned process; Hobbs 80/20 uses resin bonding. Different feel, different performance.
Are both chemical-free?
Yes — both QD Select and Orient Express are mechanically cleaned with no resins or chemicals. This is Quilters Dream’s core philosophy across all their products.
Shop Quilters Dream Batting at Linda’s Electric Quilters
Expert longarm advice • Trusted since 1999
Shop QD SelectShop Orient ExpressAll QD Batting