Quilt Batting Options from Missouri Star

Choosing quilt batting can make such a big difference in the finished feel of a quilt. It affects the weight, drape, warmth, texture, and even the way the quilt looks after washing. Recently Missouri Star Quilt Company reached out to me about testing two of their new inhouse batting options: Nature's Best 100% Cotton Batting and Nature's Best 100% Bamboo Batting. I was excited for the opportunity to use and compare both batting weights and share what I learned. This post is sponsored by Missouri Star Quilt Company but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

First of all, while both of these batting options are natural fiber battings, they each have their own personality or pros and cons. Depending on the kind of quilt you're making - and the finished feel of the quilt that you're hoping for - one may be a better fit than the other.

Here's a look at the two side by side, straight out of the package. Missouri Star sent me queen size options of both kinds so the size of the batting yardage was the exact same. But just seeing them folded next to each other tells you a lot about the comparison between the loft of both fibers.

Cotton vs. Bamboo Batting: What's the Difference?

The different fiber content of these two batting options affect how the quilt feels, hangs, and wears over time. In the photo below, the batting on the left is the 100% cotton and the one on the right is 100% bamboo. As you can see, the bamboo option is a lot thicker (has more loft) than the cotton option.

That doesn't necessarily mean one is better than the other. The different properties of the two fibers create different attributes to choose from, such as: how you prefer to quilt your layers, and how you would like your finished quilt to turn out including how the quilt feels, hangs, and wears over time.

Missouri Star Nature's Best 100% Cotton Batting

Cotton batting has a traditional feel. It is breathable and lightweight if you prefer your quilt not to be heavy. This specific cotton batting feels very lightweight, making it perfect for summer quilt. It would also be light enough to work well as a batting layer with flannel or other heavier fabrics and keep the quilt from feeling too heavy.

Also, if you are quilting on your home machine, this batting will not make your too heavy to move and manipulate through your machine.

I, personally, love the way that 100% cotton batting shrinks after the first time you wash a quilt, giving it an extra crinkly feeling, making the quilt feel weathered and loved. (If you prefer less batting shrinkage I recommend using an 80% Cotton-20% Polyester blend.)

This batting is marked Preshrunk so it doesn't change sizes excessively, but I am glad that there still is some shrinkage to soften up this quilt. Here's a look at the comparison of the quilt before (left) and after (right) the quilt was machine washed and dried. I love that crinkly texture that comes after the quilt is washed.

Missouri Star's Nature's Best 100% Cotton Batting is made from soft, natural cotton. According to Missouri Star, it is free from poly scrim and resin, pre-shrunk, and has a 4-ounce medium weight. It can be quilted up to 8 inches apart, which is helpful if you prefer quilting that is spread out and not dense.

Quilt details: Half Square Triangle "Broken Dishes" (pattern here) crib quilt made with Honey Locust fabric from Riley Blake Designs.

Missouri Star Nature's Best 100% Bamboo Batting

Bamboo batting has a noticeably softer, more fluid drape than many cotton battings. It's a beautiful choice when you want a quilt that feels extra soft and not stiff. It can be especially nice for quilts that will be cuddled, wrapped around shoulders. As you can see from the photos above, the Bamboo batting is thicker and, in my opinion, heavier.

I love the heft and the weight of this batting. The thicker loft makes the quilting really pop, which I love. This quilt feels more heavy and cuddly to me, but that said, bamboo batting is popular in warmer climates because bamboo tends to feel breathable.

Because of the extra loft on this Bamboo batting compared to the 100% Cotton option, the quilting seems to have extra depth and really pops.

I haven't had a chance to wash this quilt yet, so I will have to report back about shrinkage and crinkly effect.

(Quilt information: Scandi Hearts quilt pattern, machine quilting: Baptist Heart Clam from Sew Shabby Quilting)

Missouri Star's Nature's Best Bamboo Batting is made from 100% bamboo and is described as soft, sustainable, breathable, and suitable for year-round comfort. Bamboo fiber is also hypoallergenic making it a good choice for anyone with allergies or sensitive skin.

Missouri Star also notes that bamboo batting "drapes like silk" and works well for both machine quilting and hand quilting. I had my quilt machine quilted on a longarm machine, but I did hand sew the binding to the back of the quilt and my needle felt like it was sewing through butter, softer and easier that it felt to bind the 100% cotton batting-quilt.

Bamboo batting is often a little more expensive than cotton batting because the bamboo fibers require additional processing before they can be made into quilt batting. In my opinion, if I'm making an extra special quilt - especially one that is great for cuddling in, the extra price for Bamboo batting is worth it.

Final Thoughts on Batting Options

Batting is one of those choices that doesn't always get as much attention as fabric or the pattern design, but it has a huge effect on the finished quilt. The right batting can make a quilt feel cozy, light, lofty, soft, or beautifully drapey.

Missouri Star's Nature's Best 100% Cotton Batting is a great choice for a lightweight, everyday quilt that doesn't need to be densely quilted. And the quilt will have a lovely antique, crinkly feeling when it's washed.

The Nature's Best 100% Bamboo Batting is a lovely option for a softer, thicker quilt with beautiful drape and perfect when you want machine quilting to really pop. Both are natural fiber options, and both can be used for machine or hand quilting, it just depends on the finished feel you're looking for.