Nobody sees the batting in a quilt, yet it decides almost everything about how the quilt feels: how warm it is, how it drapes over the bed, how it looks after washing, and how much quilting you have to do.
Batting, also called wadding, is the soft middle layer between the quilt top and the backing. Most battings are made from cotton, polyester, or a blend of the two. Here is what each one does, the terms on the label, and how to choose.
The three main types
100% cotton
Flat, soft and breathable, with a traditional look. After the first wash it shrinks very slightly, giving the gently crinkled finish many quilters love. Warm without being stuffy.
80/20 cotton blend
80% cotton and 20% polyester. It keeps the feel and breathability of cotton, while the polyester adds a little loft and strength. The most popular all-rounder.
Polyester
Light, puffy and warm for its weight, and it does not shrink. It breathes less than cotton, so it suits throws and children's quilts more than a quilt for a warm night.
Words on the label
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Loft | How thick and puffy the batting is. Low loft gives a flat, traditional quilt; high loft gives a puffy, duvet-like one that shows quilting lines deeply. |
| Scrim | A very fine web that the fibres are attached to. It makes the batting stronger and more stable, so it is less likely to stretch or tear while you work. |
| Quilting distance | The furthest apart your lines of stitching can be. Quilt further apart than this and the batting can shift and bunch inside the quilt after a few washes. |
| Pre-shrunk | Already treated so it will barely shrink in the wash. You can use it straight from the roll. |
| Bearding | Fibres working their way out through the quilt top, which shows most on dark fabric. Good battings are made to resist it. |
The battings on our shelves
The easy all-rounder
Stitch It 80/20
KES 5,000 a metre
A medium-loft blend of 80% cotton and 20% polyester that suits almost any quilt, from a baby quilt to a bed quilt. It is pre-shrunk, non-bearding and made without glues or resins. At 300 cm wide, it is the only batting we stock that covers a 6 by 6 bed quilt in one piece.
80% cotton, 20% polyester · 300 cm wide · Quilt up to 23 cm apart
See Stitch It 80/20
Pure cotton
Bosal Katahdin Autumn
KES 6,000 a metre
A 4 oz, 100% cotton batting, needlepunched with no scrim or resin, and pre-shrunk. It gives the soft, flat, traditional finish of a classic cotton quilt, and works for hand or machine quilting. Autumn is the slightly heavier of Bosal's two Katahdin weights, made for cosy bed quilts.
100% cotton · 244 cm wide · Quilt up to 20 cm apart
See Bosal Katahdin
Light and soft
Vilene Super Soft 80/20
KES 5,400 a metre
A lightweight 80/20 blend with a scrim for stability. Its light weight makes it the one for quilts used on warmer nights, lightweight jackets, and wall hangings that need gentle texture rather than bulk. Vilene advises soaking it in hot water before use, squeezing gently, and drying it flat.
80% cotton, 20% polyester · 246 cm wide · Quilt up to 20 cm apart
See Vilene Super SoftLooking for polyester batting? Ask us at the shop.
Which batting for which quilt
| You are making | Choose |
|---|---|
| Your first quilt | Stitch It 80/20: forgiving, easy to handle and pre-shrunk |
| A bed quilt for cold Nairobi or highland nights | Bosal Katahdin cotton or Stitch It 80/20 |
| A quilt for a warm climate, such as the coast | Vilene Super Soft, the lightest |
| A traditional, flat, crinkly cotton quilt | Bosal Katahdin cotton |
| A baby quilt | Stitch It 80/20 or Bosal Katahdin, both breathable |
| A wall hanging or table runner | Vilene Super Soft |
| A 6 by 6 bed quilt in one piece | Stitch It 80/20, the only one wide enough |
Plan your quilting to the batting
Check the quilting distance before you decide how to quilt. With all three of our battings, keep your lines no more than 20 cm apart and the batting will stay put for the life of the quilt.
How much to buy
Cut the batting to the same size as the backing, about 10 cm bigger than the quilt top on every side. Our battings are sold by the whole metre, so a baby quilt needs 1 m, a sofa throw 2 m, and bed quilts 2 or 3 m depending on the width. Our quilt size guide for Kenyan beds has the exact amount for every size and batting.
Looking after batting
Store it rolled or loosely folded in a cotton bag, away from damp. Creases relax once the quilt is assembled.
Lay it out flat for a few hours before you use it, so folds can soften.
Follow the maker's washing advice. Stitch It and Bosal are pre-shrunk; Vilene recommends a pre-soak.
Once the quilt is finished, care for it as our quilt care guide describes.
New to quilting? Start with our beginner's guide, which walks through a first baby quilt.
Feel them side by side
Batting is easiest to choose by touch. Compare all three at our shop at Muthaiga Mini Market, or tell us about your quilt on WhatsApp.
Shop quilting suppliesOr message us on 0798 316 860
Specifications from the makers via Empress Mills. Prices correct at the time of writing.
