World Wide Quilting Page

Question of the Week

Question for the week of September 28, 1998:

Our question this week comes from T1MOY

For longevity of the quilt what is the best batting, cotton or polyester?

Alice Mac Dougall :
I am not sure about longevity, but I do not like to quilt on polyester, I prefere the cotton. My opnion would be that polyster would probably last longer as it appers to be stronger.

Ann :
I think cotton batting lasts longer than
polyester batting. Polyester can bunch
up after a period of time. I also think
that cotton batting is easier to handle.
Dorothy Wittig :
I think I would try wool if you think the quilt will be protected from moths
Nan :
Cotton...when you look at really old quilts with cotten they still look great. Polyester beards and flattens.
Spring :
I feel that for LONGEVITY, polyester or a cotton/poly combination is best, specifically when used with durable, washable fabrics for blocks and batting. Cotton does have a 'look' all of it's own though, so consider what you are using it for!
Diane in Kansas City :
Quilts I made 25 years ago with polyester batting are
now just two layers of fabric with air in between. The batting
has virtually disappeared. Comparing this to 100 year old quilts
with cotton batting intact, I have to cast my vote for
all cotton batting.
Wendy :
Hi, I am pretty new to quilting, but I prefer the blend of the Hobbs 80/20 (80% cotton/20%poly). I find it the easiest to handquilt and it is durable. It was what was recommended to me by my local quilt shop.

RCasady :
I like what Anthony said. It explains what has happened to my first quilt...it has polyester batting in it...it was made in 1994 and the quilt top is so thin that I have retired it as a bed quilt. And I have used a cotton batting since then with better longevity of the quilt top fabrics not thinning and even tearing!
amie :
cotton. you may have to quilt more closely together to not have it separate, but it seems to be a longer lasting batting than the harshness of polyester. I would also say it depends on the care that you give it i.e. your method of washing, how it is stored or displayed, etc.
Anthony who happily escaped Hurricane Georges in Tampa :
Cotton. As you know, polyester is a much stronger fiber than cotton. Most quilters avoid poly thread bcause it will eventually cut thru the cotton fibres of their top; especially if the quilt is used a lot. Well, the poly batings are only fine poly threads. They have the effect of little scouring pads inside your qulit, abrading away at the cotton fibres overtime. So everytime you curl up in that polyester filled quilt, you are slowly wearing away at the cotton fibres of your top.
note: this info was initallly posted by a list member on Quilt Heritage List, a list primarily concerned with conservation and quilt history. If I hadn't emptied my trash, I'd give her recognition by name.
c'est la vie!
DBreman :
The longevity of any quilt would also depend on how it is used, cleaned and stored. Given a choice I would stay with cotton batting.
Penny :
Polyester, cotton batting tends to separate. I have quilted using both types of batting. The cotton batting provides for a heavier, conforming quilt, the polyester is lighter and does not separate like the cotton. Also, cotton batting requires more quilting stitches than polyester.
carol sanner :
cotton
Katy :
Poly beards. Cotton doesn't.

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