Batting Qualities
These terms will help you compare the various types and features of batting products.
Drapability: The density or sparseness of the quilting and the loft of the batting will affect the drape, or relative stiffness or softness, of the finished quilt.
Grain line: The lengthwise grain is stable and doesn’t have much give; the crosswise grain will be stretchy.
Loft: This term describes the thickness of the batting. Different loft levels result in different appearances in a finished quilt.
Resiliency: This is the batting’s ability to regain its original shape--how quickly it can spring back when unfolded and how it resists creasing.
Warmth: Cotton battings absorb moisture, making them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Wool battings provide warmth with little weight.
Washability and shrinkage: Polyester and wool battings resist shrinking, while cotton can shrink from 3 to 5 percent. Some quilters prefer the puckered, antique look that results when batting shrinks.
Compare types of batting and the pros and cons of each using this chart.
Click here to download the Batting Characteristics chart.
Continued on Page 3: How Will Your Quilt Be Used?
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