Polyester Batting

100% polyester batting is the perfect choice if you are wanting to make a thick and also very lightweight quilt. It comes in the widest range of lofts & thicknesses and also comes as a cotton blend. It is a very durable, man-made fiber that is most commonly made from polyethylene, a non-renewable source. Because of this it is not a breathable fiber like natural fibers. The very thick or lofty batting can be difficult to machine quilt so using the tying method is best to overcome this.

There are a couple of downsides to polyester wadding that need to be considered when choosing which batting to buy. The first is that when it burns it leaves a residue that melts into the skin. The next is its bearding qualities. Bearding is the migration of fibers through the outer layers of your quilt. Once this begins it is impossible to stop. One way to minimize this is to check that the batting has a resin coating on both sides.

Bearding can technically happen with any type of batting, it’s just more common with polyester. Don’t be put off from using this batting as sometimes polyester is the best choice for your quilting project.

When made into batting polyester has many advantages for the quilter:

* Is lightweight

* Voluminous

* no shrinkage when washed

* Elastic

* Fast-drying

* Good thermal properties

* Non-allergenic

* Springs back to shape no matter how many times it’s washed

* Inexpensive

* Comes in a wide range of lofts and thickness

* Very durable

Polyester Quilt Washing Instructions

* Machine washable

* Dry in the drier

Tips

1. A petroleum-based product, not renewable like organic cotton, wool or bamboo.

2. Bearding does not always develop immediately. Often it occurs gradually with repeated use and/or washing.

3. Polyester/cotton batting is loftier and shrinks less than 100% cotton.

4. Recommended quilting distance for cotton/polyester blends: 2” – 4”

5. Recommended quilting distance: varies by brand

Sign up for my newsletter below!

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.
Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Please let others know. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.