Cotton/Poly 100% 100%

100% Cotton 100% Wool 100% Silk 100% Soy

Blends Polyester Bamboo

Good, cold Good, cold Good, with care,

Excellent, low
water, water gentle, gentle, cold Good, refer to
Wash-ability* gentle,low heat low heat dryer
heat
water, air dry label
Excellent Excellent
recommended
or air dry or air dry check label

Fair to good, Fair to good,

Dry Clean-ability Good Good Good Excellent Excellent
check label check label

4-6% may be 2-6% may be 3-8 % should

1-4%, can be 1-4%, can be
Shrink-ability preshrunk per preshrunk per None preshrink if not 4-7%
preshrunk preshrunk
label label done by mfg.

Loft: Thickness** > 1/4 inch 1/4 inch 1/4-1 inch > 1/4-1/2 inch > 1/4 inch 1/4-1/2 inch 1/4 inch

Bonded: soft, Bonded: soft not Varies by

Soft, some Very supple. Soft, staple, Soft with a
supple. Needle- stretchy. thickness, loft
Loft: Qualities punched: soft, Scrimmed: firm, stands out well
stretch, firmer Drapes the best retains shape strong, non-
when scrimmed of all batts. well, no shifting shifting nature
stable stable in designs

3-12 inches, 3-12 inches,

Quilting Distance > 3-4 inches
check label check label
> 4 inches 3 inches 8 inches or less 8 inches or less

Level of Warmth Low Low Medium Highest Low/Medium Low/Medium Low

Hand quilting Good-excellent, Good-excellent, Excellent with

Excellent Excellent Good-excellent Good-excellent
ease*** may 'beard' softest if bonded low or mid loft

Good-excellent, Good-excellent
Machine quilting Excellent when Excellent when
Good-excellent sturdiest if with low or mid Excellent Excellent
ease*** scrimmed loft
needle-punched needle-punched

Excellent even
Suitability for tied Good if
Good Excellent with high loft or Poor Good-excellent Good-excellent
quilt*** scrimmed
multiple batts

When considering other batting options, such as alpaca, corn, flax or recycled plastic bottles, refer to manufacturer for more information.
This chart shows general properties only, based on label information, which will vary greatly by brand. It is intended for referral when selecting
quilt batting, and does not guarantee success of any finished project. Always read the label carefully before purchasing batting.

* follow manufacturer's instructions on label

©2010, The Curious Quilter, http://thecuriousquilter.wordpress.com
** thickness of selected loft will affect the quilting ease
Permission granted to print for personal home use only.
and finished qualities
Retail post-able copies available upon request, email mary@thecuriousquilter.net.
*** quilt or tie within quilting distance on label