Why Batting Matters
Batting is the hidden heart of every quilt. It determines how your quilt feels, how it drapes, how warm it is, and even how your quilting stitches show. The right batting can elevate a quilt from “nice” to truly beautiful — while the wrong choice can affect durability, comfort, and long-term wear.
The Hobbs Heirloom® Batting Collection is trusted by quilters around the world for its consistent quality, premium fibres, and exceptional stitch definition. Proudly made in the USA, Hobbs battings are designed for both hand and machine quilting and offer options to suit different quilting styles, climates, and project needs — from eco-conscious cottons to luxurious wool and time-saving fusible blends.
This guide will help you understand the differences so you can confidently choose the best batting for your next quilt.
| Batting Type | Fibre Content | Best For | Loft & Drape | Quilting Distance | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organic Cotton | 100% certified organic cotton | Baby quilts, heirloom quilts, eco-conscious projects | Low loft, soft natural drape | Up to 4″ | Breathable, sustainable, softer with washing |
| Natural Cotton | 100% natural (unbleached) cotton | Traditional quilts, medium–dark fabrics | Low loft, flat antique finish | Up to 4″ | Natural colour may darken light fabrics |
| Bleached Cotton | 100% bleached cotton | White & light-coloured quilts | Low loft, bright white finish | Up to 4″ | Prevents shadowing through light fabrics |
| Cotton with Scrim (Natural) | Natural cotton + polyester scrim | Machine quilting, stability | Low loft, very stable | Up to 8″ | Scrim prevents stretching & distortion |
| Cotton with Scrim (Bleached) | Bleached cotton + white scrim | White/light quilts needing strength | Low loft, stable & bright | Up to 8″ | Ideal for structured light-colour quilts |
| 80/20 Cotton Blend | 80% cotton / 20% polyester | Everyday quilts, hand quilting | Low–medium loft | Up to 4″ | Easy handling, durable, slight shrinkage |
| 80/20 Bleached Cotton Blend | Bleached cotton / white polyester | Light-coloured quilts | Low–medium loft | Up to 4″ | Keeps whites bright |
| 80/20 Black Cotton Blend | Dyed cotton / polyester | Dark & black quilts | Low–medium loft | Up to 4″ | No linting or colour bleed |
| Fusible Cotton Blend | 80% cotton / 20% polyester | Beginners, fast projects | Low–medium loft | Up to 4″ | Iron-on, no pinning or spray basting |
| Premium Wool | 100% superwashed wool | Show quilts, luxury quilts | Medium loft, excellent drape | Up to 4″ | Breathable, bold stitch definition |
| Poly-Down® | 100% fine denier polyester | Lightweight quilts, high loft | Medium loft | Up to 4″ | No shrinkage, non-allergenic |
| Thermore® | 100% polyester | Low-loft quilts, garments | Very low loft, stable | Up to 9″ | No bearding, no shrinkage |
| Needle Punched Polyester | 100% polyester | Crafts & home décor | Low loft, flexible | N/A | Ideal for runners, placemats, wall hangings |
The Hobbs Heirloom® Batting Collection at a Glance
Hobbs battings are crafted using high-quality natural and synthetic fibres, offering reliability and performance across a wide range of projects. Whether you’re creating heirloom quilts, everyday bed quilts, wall hangings, or craft projects, there’s a Hobbs batting designed to support your work.
Quick Choice Guide
- Natural & breathable: Organic or Natural Cotton
- Machine quilting & stability: Cotton with Scrim
- Fast & beginner-friendly: Fusible Cotton Blend
- Bold quilting stitches: Premium Wool
- No shrinkage: Thermore® or Poly-Down
- Craft projects: Needle Punched Polyester
Hobbs Heirloom® Premium 80/20 Cotton Blend
Made from 80% long-staple cotton and 20% fine polyester, this batting combines softness with strength. It is lightly needle-punched and resin bonded to stabilise the fibres and prevent polyester bearding, making it especially easy to quilt by hand.
- Best suited to medium or dark fabrics
- Quilt up to 4″ apart
- Shrinkage of 3–5% expected
- Ideal for hand and machine quilting
Battings available: HL-45, HL-72, HLBY-96
Hobbs Heirloom® 80/20 Bleached Cotton Blend
Designed specifically for white or light-coloured quilts, this batting uses bleached cotton fibres combined with white polyester to maintain brightness and prevent shadowing.
- Suitable for utility, gift, décor, and show quilts
- Close quilting creates a flat finish; wider spacing adds loft
- Quilt up to 4″ apart
- Shrinkage of 3–5%
Battings available: BHL-90, BHL-120
Hobbs Heirloom® 80/20 Black Cotton Blend
Perfect for quilts made with black or dark fabrics, this batting is made using colour-fast dyed cotton fibres to prevent linting or light fibre migration during quilting.
- No dye bleeding
- Excellent stitch clarity
- Quilt up to 4″ apart
- Shrinkage of 3–5%
Battings available: DKHL-120
Hobbs Heirloom® Fusible Cotton Blend
This double-sided fusible batting eliminates the need for pin or spray basting. A water-soluble fusible medium bonds quilt layers together during pressing and washes away, leaving a soft and supple finish.
- Saves time and reduces shifting
- Machine washable once quilted
- Ideal for beginners and quick projects
Battings available: HFBY-96, HF-45, HF-90
Hobbs Heirloom® Premium 100% Cotton (Natural & Bleached)
For quilters who love a traditional flat, antique-style finish, Hobbs offers both natural (unbleached) and bleached 100% cotton options.
- Breathable and comfortable
- Softer with every wash
- Quilt from ¼″ up to 4″ apart
- Shrinkage of 3–5%
Natural Cotton: ORBY-96, OR-120, OR-90, OR-45
Bleached Cotton: HBBY-96, HB-45, HB-90, HB-120
Hobbs Heirloom® Cotton with Scrim (Natural & Bleached)
Cotton with scrim offers the feel of natural cotton with added strength and stability. A thin polyester scrim is needle-punched into the cotton fibres to prevent stretching and distortion.
- Ideal for low-loft quilts
- Quilt up to 8″ apart
- Excellent for machine quilting
- Shrinkage of 3–5%
Natural with Scrim: HNSBY-96, HNS-36, HNS-90
Bleached with Scrim: (white and light-colour quilts)
Hobbs Heirloom® Premium 100% Wool Batting
Wool batting is prized for its loft, stitch definition, and natural temperature regulation. Made from the finest superwashed wool, it is breathable, lightweight, and comfortable in all climates — even warm or humid ones.
- Excellent loft retention
- Quiltable up to 4″ apart
- Naturally moisture-wicking and mildew resistant
- Luxurious finish for show and heirloom quilts
Battings available: WL-90
Hobbs Poly-Down® Batting
Made from fine denier polyester, Poly-Down provides loft and drape without weight. It’s non-allergenic, resists bearding, and maintains its shape over time.
- No shrinkage
- Quiltable up to 4″ apart
- Excellent for hand and machine quilting
Battings available: PDBY-108
Thermore® Batting
Originally designed for clothing, Thermore® is a low-loft, ultra-stable polyester batting that will not beard or migrate.
- Quilt up to 9″ apart
- No shrinkage
- Suitable for light and dark fabrics
- Machine washable or dry cleanable
Battings available: TMBY-45
Hobbs Needle Punched Polyester Batting
A lightweight, economical option ideal for crafts and home décor projects. This batting is flexible, easy to cut, and designed for use as-is.
- Best for wall hangings, placemats, runners, and crafts
- No pre-washing recommended
Battings available: NPBY-45
Final Thoughts
The Hobbs Heirloom® Batting Collection offers a premium solution for every quilting style — whether you value tradition, sustainability, speed, structure, or luxury. By choosing the right batting, you enhance not just how your quilt looks, but how it feels and how it lasts for years to come.