• Batting is the fiber used as filler between your quilt top and the backing of the quilt.
• Loft is the term used to describe the thickness and/or springiness of the batt.

Battings can be purchased in natural or synthetic fibers, depending on the look you wish to achieve and your personal preference.

• Flat
• Warm
• Dense
• More Opaque
• Finished quilt has antique appearance

Wool

• Moderately flat
• Warm
• Easy to hand quilt
• Slightly higher cost
• Wears well

Silk

• Very flat
• Drapes beautifully
• Warmth without weight
• Expensive

Synthetic & Combo Batts

Polyster

• Puffy to very puffy
• Warm
• Loft without weight
• Least expensive

Poly/Cotton

• Moderately flat
• Combines characteristics of both fibers

Figuring Batt Size

If you are making a quilt for a bed, the finished size is determined by the measurements of the bed and mattress.

1. Measure the width and length of the top of the bed with the blankets and sheets you plan to use with the quilt.
2. For a pillow tuck, add 10" to 20" to the length depending on the size and fullness of your pillows.
3. Determine the drop length for your quilt. Add twice the drop length to the quilt width (2 sides of the bed) and 1 drop length to the length (foot of the bed).

Helpful Hints

• Adjust finished measurements of your quilt according to the thickness of the batting and the amount of quilting you plan to do. For example:

                                   Average amount of quilting with low or medium loft batting = 2-3% shrinkage.

                                   Average amount of quilting with high-loft batting = 5-6% shrinkage.

• When figuring batting and backing sizes, add 8" to the dimensions of the quilt top to allow for shrinkage during the quilting process. If you are having your quilt machine quilted, check with your machine quilter to see what amount they prefer for their machine.
• Keep the batting package (or packaging information). It will give you lots of information such as washing instructions and how closely your chosen batt should be quilted. The name of the batting, fiber content, and washing instructions should be included on the quilt label for future reference.