Alexis’ Secret Sauce Batting Formula
Do you struggle with picking the right batting for your quilt? Maybe traditional batting feels a bit too thin, and you're craving something more substantial? Or you picked the thicker batting only to find it TOO thick? I totally get you—I've been there!
After making what feels like a million quilts (okay, maybe just 100+), I’ve tested a bunch of different battings on my handmade quilts. The good news? I’m pretty happy with the results, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned!
As many of you know, I’m all about wovens, flannel, and cuddle (aka minky). But mixing these fabrics with different batting options can be tricky when you’re trying to get just the right weight and drape. Layering too many heavy fabrics and battings can leave your quilt feeling like a stiff, cardboard fortress—definitely not the cozy vibe I strive for. On the flip side, if the batting is too light, you’ll be hunting for every quilt in your house to layer on top of you!
So, I’ve created a handy-dandy chart (check the PDF’s below) that you can print out and keep in your sewing room for easy reference. Plus, I’ll walk you through some of the combinations I’ve tested over the years, complete with photos so you can see how the drape and thickness look in real life.
Now, keep in mind these are my personal preferences, perfected through years of trial and error (mainly error, but we don’t need to talk about that). I like a quilt with weight and thickness—but not too much! But don’t be afraid to experiment and find your perfect balance too!
Before we dive in, a few quick notes:
Bamboo drape feels like it’s been washed and loved for 10 years already. The drape is chef’s kiss amazing, but it’s on the thinner side. I usually pair it with thicker materials like Robert Kaufman Mammoth flannel or minky for the perfect balance.
Warm and Plush is thick and super beefy, making it ideal for lighter weight wovens like Fableism Sprout. Keep in mind that some of Fableism’s wovens are heavier, so you may need to adjust the batting accordingly.
The bigger the quilt, the lighter the batting I go for. Large quilts can get physically heavy. Trust me, keeping the weight in check is key!
And just to clarify, I didn’t test 80/20, wool, or poly fluff batting. I tend to like more crinkle and shrinkage (personal preference). Wool is just a bit too warm for my Southern California life, and poly fluff doesn’t make the regular cut, though I might pull it out for a special project here and there.
Wovens
> Less than 75” on any one side
PDF found {HERE}
Woven + Woven = Warm and Plush
Woven + Flannel = Warm and Plush
Woven + Robert Kaufman Mammoth Flannel = Warm and Plush or Bamboo
Woven + Shannon Cuddle = Warm and Plush or Bamboo
Woven + Quilt Cotton = Warm and Plush
Examples of woven quilts smaller than 75” inches on any one side (Left to Right):
1) Aftershock by Wren Collective 66x70 // Lightweight chambray top + heavy Robert Kaufman Mammoth flannel backing // Warm and Plush
2) Whistlestop Extension by Tesselate Textiles 70x70 // Lightweight Fableism sprout top and backing // Warm and Plush
3) Lucky log cabin by Emily Dennis aka Quilty Love 66.5x76 // Lightweight Ruby Star Society Warp and Weft + Shannon cuddle on back // Bamboo
4) Ebb and Flow by Penelope handmade 63x72 // Kona and mid weight Fableism woven on top + lightweight woven on back // Warm and Plush
5) Fall Leaves by Cluck Cluck Sew 62x74 // Lightweight Fableism sprout on top + a lightweight woven on back // Warm and Plush
<More than 75” on any one side
PDF found {HERE}
Woven + Woven = Warm and Plush or Warm and White
Woven + Flannel = Warm and Plush or Warm and White
Woven + Robert Kaufmann Mammoth Flannel = Warm and White or Bamboo
Woven + Shannon Cuddle = Warm and White or Bamboo
Woven + Quilt Cotton = Warm and Plush
Examples of woven quilts larger than 75” inches on any one side (Left to Right):
1) Double the Plus Emily Dennis aka Quilty Love 65x86 // Rober Kaufman Essex Linen + Kona (white) top and Kona white backing // Warm and Plush
2) Eloise by Penelope Handmade 64x80 // Mid weight woven top + Lightweight Ruby Star Warp and Weft backing // Warm and Plush
3) Paint Lake by The Blanket Statement 72x91 // Mid to heavy weight Fableism woven top + Ruby Star Society lightweight quilt cotton backing // Warm and White
4) Camp Star by Plains and Pine 78x78 // Mixed weight wovens on top + heavy weight Robert Kaufman mammoth flannel on back // Warm and White
Quilt Cotton
> Less than 75” on any one side
PDF found {HERE}
Quilt Cotton + Woven = Warm and Plush
Quilt Cotton + Flannel = Warm and Plush or Bamboo
Quilt Cotton + Robert Kaufman = Warm and Plush or Bamboo
Quilt Cotton + Shannon Cuddle = Warm and Plush or Bamboo
Quilt Cotton + Quilt Cotton = Warm and Plush
Examples of quilt cotton quilts smaller than 75” inches on any one side (Left to Right):
1) Lottie (one block) by Penelope Handmade (double flannel) 75x75 // Lightweight flannel & Kona cotton top + lightweight flannel backing // Warm and Plush
2) Lottie (one block) by Penelope Handmade 75x75 // Mid weight flannel top + quilt cotton backing // Warm and Plush
3) Peanut Butter by Then Came June 65x76 // Quilt cotton top + Shannon cuddle on back // Warm and Plush
4) Madeline by Penelope Handmade 62x75 // Mixed wovens/cotton and kona on top + Lightweight Ruby Star quilt cotton on back // Double bamboo
5) Lucky Log Cabin by Emily Dennis aka Quilty Love 66.5x76 // Robert Kaufman mammoth flannel on top + lightweight traditional flannel on back // Bamboo
<More than 75” on any one side
PDF found {HERE}
Quilt Cotton + Woven = Warm and Plush, Warm and White or Bamboo
Quilt Cotton + Flannel = Warm and Plush, Warm and White or Bamboo
Quilt Cotton + Robert Kaufman = Bamboo
Quilt Cotton + Shannon Cuddle = Bamboo
Quilt Cotton + Quilt Cotton = Warm and White
Examples of quilt cotton quilts bigger than 75” inches on any one side (Left to Right):
1) Interwoven By Lo & Behold Stitchery 71x99 // Kona cotton top + lightweight flannel backing // Warm and White batting
2) Big Sky Star by Plains and Pine 85x85 // Ruby Star Society top + Ruby Star Society Sateen // Warm and White batting
3) Homestead Star by Plains and Pine 80x105 // Kona top + lightweight flannel backing // Warm and White Batting
4) Picnic in the Park by Little Pin Cushion Studio 81x81 // Quilters cotton top and backing // Warm and White
And there you have it! Hopefully, my batting experimenting will help you pick the perfect batting for your next quilt adventure. After years of trial and error, I finally feel like I've got this batting thing down—whether you're rocking a longarm or a domestic machine. It's such a relief to know the batting I choose will be loved and snuggled.
Happy Sewing, my Quilty Friends!
Alexis
Stitched By Alexis