It's the bit you don't see, but your choice of wadding for your patchwork project can have a big impact on how i finally looks when quilted and then as it is washed over time.
We stock an extensive selection of waddings, one of the largest in the UK, and the fact that we sell so many different, highly rated types, is an indication of how personal choice plays a large part in wadding preference. This blog explains the different types, along with their loft (thickness), suitability for hand or machine quilting and care instructions, to help you make an informed choice before purchasing.
First, an important note about quilts for young babies
A new arrival into the family is a great opportunity to make a hand made gift that may, one day, become a family heirloom. If you are thinking of making something for a baby's cot please bear in mind that duvets, quilts or pillows are not recommended for babies under one year old. For babies over one year old choose a lightweight, breathable wadding for a cot quilt. One or more lightweight layers are better for a baby than a quilt that contains a heavier or more lofted wadding. If you decide to make a playmat using a thicker, more lofted wadding make sure the parents are aware that it is intended for use on the floor and not in the cot.
Wadding, also known as batting (especially in the U.S.), is the soft, cushioning layer used between fabrics. It’s commonly found in quilts, jackets, oven mitts, and upholstered items.
Though it might seem like a simple material, the right choice of wadding can make or break your project.
Try before you buy
If you have spent weeks, months or maybe years completing that beautiful quilt top you may want more reassurance on what to choose.
We have 3 wadding sample packs to choose from - Wadding 4" Charm pack, Natural Wadding Sample Pack 14" and Man-Made Wadding Sample Pack 14"
Click the image to Shop For Wadding Sample packs
Wadding Terminology
Material - the base material of a wadding is often one of the most important factors in making your choice. Ours are split into, natural (e.g. cotton, wool, silk), man-made (e.g. polyester) and blended which is a combination of man-made and natural
Loft - the weight or thickness of a wadding. In general a high loft means it's thick and a low loft means it's thin, but this doesn't describe the density.
Bonded - the fibers are bonded together using heat or a resin. Thermal bonding can allow bearding but doesn't break down with washing as fast. Resin bonding mixes a variety of fibres, man made and natural. Resin is applied to both sides before drying which makes it more resistant to bearding.
Needle-punched - The wadding fibres are mechanically felted together by punching them with thousands of tiny needles. This creates a stronger and denser lower loft wadding
Scrim - a lightweight binder that is needle-punched into the wadding to add strength and prevent stretching an distorting. Quilting lines can be farther apart when using a wadding with scrim.
Bearding - is when the wadding fibres separate and push through the quilt top or backing. This can happen when using a combination of cheaper wadding, fabric and/or thread
Maximum Stitch Distance - this is the maximum recommended distance between your quilting stitches, to ensure that the wadding doesn't drift or sag in between
Types of Wadding
Here’s a quick breakdown of the different varieties of material types of waddings:
• Cotton Wadding: Natural and breathable, it’s a popular choice for quilting. It lies flat and provides a more traditional feel. Great for hand quilting. Some quilters prefer to use a natural fibre simply because it is natural! Cotton fibres will have a tendency to shrink slightly, which may be a desired effect, and may over time acquire the puckered look of an antique quilt.
• Polyester Wadding: Lightweight, lofty, and non-breathable with no shrinkage. It holds its shape better than cotton and is often used in garments and upholstery. Polyester is good at retaining heat. Less expensive than natural.
• Recycled Wadding: Made from recycled fibres like PET bottles or textile scraps. Usually man-made fibres like polyester so good at retaining heat. Colours are variable so not suitable for a white fabric quilt.
• Wool Wadding: Warm and lightweight, wool offers great insulation and is ideal for heirloom quilts. However, it may require more care in washing. Wool has the ability to remain cool in Summer, but provide Warmth in Winter.
• Bamboo Wadding: Eco-friendly and incredibly soft, bamboo blends are becoming a favorite for sustainable crafting.
• Blended Wadding: A mix of two fibers, like cotton/polyester or bamboo/cotton, to combine the best properties of each material.
• Fusible Wadding: has a thin layer of glue applied to one or both side of the wadding, offering an alternative to basting with pins, thread or spray adhesive. Perfect for small projects.
If you are going to be taking a good while to quilt a larger project we would recommend using a different method of basting.
• Pre-printed Wadding: pre-printed with a block design that allows you to quilt the block as you sew. An effective way to create a quick and accurate quilt that's quilted as you go
• Insulated, heat resistant wadding: used for making pot holders, oven gloves and lunch bags. They have a metalized layer for heat reflection
Pre-cut wadding packs
Most of the wadding that we sell comes in pre-cut packs to fit different sized beds. The very nature of wadding, its volume and the way it traps air, means it is a relatively bulky product. Storing and shipping bulky items is expensive so the manufacturers try to limit this by packing the wadding as tightly as possible. When you receive your wadding, remove it from the bag and allow it some time to return to its natural state. a few minutes in the tumble drier on a low heat setting can encourage this and remove creases (not recommended for Silk Waddings, which are hand folded before sealing to reduce creasing)
Wadding by the Metre
We also have a few waddings from Vlieseline that are available by the metre, such as Thermolam, Bamboo Mix and Cotton Mix, and Fusible Fleece in Low and Medium loft. Widths vary so please check the descriptions of the individual products.
To read more about each wadding and to compare different types, please click to read our Comparing Wadding Blog
