Batting vs Wadding

wantacookie

Hi,

This might seem like a silly question but what is the difference between batting and wadding. Batting appears to be more expensive but is there any benefit in using it?

I am making a quilt and am about to buy the filler for it and was going to buy wadding but wanted to make sure it was the right thing.

Thanks

cuilteanna

Same thing, as far as I can tell it's wadding here and batting in America. Polyester is often less expensive than cotton, wool, or silk ones so that may be the price difference you're seeing.

The most important thing to check is how closely it needs to be quilted, typically polyesters can be stitched further apart and still hold up well. They all have other characteristics such as weight, warmth, and loft (or puffiness).

Some articles that discuss them are
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/how-to-quilt/finishing/choose-right-batting
http://www.createforless.com/buying-guides/sewing-and-quilting/quilt-batting-types-and-how-to-choose-the-right-one.aspx

looksee

Bear in mind that originally, quilts were filled with whatever came to hand, old blankets, pieces of woollen fabric etc. the cover was just a way of holding all the padding together and making it look nice.

There is no absolute right or wrong about filling for a quilt. Polyester is easiest, lightweight and washable, but you could use anything from wool blankets to sheeps wool to cotton.

cuilteanna

looksee wrote: »

Bear in mind that originally, quilts were filled with whatever came to hand, old blankets, pieces of woollen fabric etc. the cover was just a way of holding all the padding together and making it look nice.

There is no absolute right or wrong about filling for a quilt. Polyester is easiest, lightweight and washable, but you could use anything from wool blankets to sheeps wool to cotton.

Absolutely. Someone was posting on a quilt board yesterday that they were given an old family quilt stuffed with nylon tights! Personally I like using fleece blankets as backing for lap quilts - no wadding necessary!

wantacookie

cuilteanna wrote: »

Personally I like using fleece blankets as backing for lap quilts - no wadding necessary!

Oh thats a really good idea! I already have material for the back that I want to use but that is a great idea!