Wool Batting

[jimerickson]

Now for all of you that have regularly used wool batting this will not be new, but for the rest of you, I want to share my recent experience.

 

I began to occasionally use Hobbs wool batting nearly a year ago.  I've been impressed with how it looks in a quilt.  A nice luxurious loft.  I also felt that it did not beard like the  cotton blend (I've never used 100% cotton so I have no experience with it) I use most of the time.  Some of my customers also really like the fact that the wool is about half the weight of cotton,  Well, I recently took in a quilt with a plain black back (no pattern at all), so I decided to test my opinion about bearding.  I chose to quilt the quilt with black bobbin and top thread. That way any bearding would be easy to detect.   I just finished the quilt.  I've carefully examined the stitching on the back, and there is absolutely NO bearding, none.  In the past when I had a quilt with a dark muted or red back, I've chosen to use black 80/20 to minimize the appearance of bearding.  With wool batting I no longer need to do that.

 

Now wool batting is more expensive that 80/20 cotton.  About twice the cost, and some have questioned laundering such a quilt.  Hobbs labeling about shrinkage states that their wool shrinks a bit less than their 80/20.  My customer's experience seems to support that claim.  The wool batting holds up to reasonable laundering as well as cotton blend, and a lot better than 100% poly.

 

I am now recommending to my customers the use of wool batting in all their quilts that don't require some kind of look wool doesn't give.  I'll be able to discontinue using black cotton blend batting as well.  One less product to stock.  To all of  you who haven't tried wool batting, I strongly suggest you do.  I like everything about it but the cost LOL.  Jim

[QuiltingB]

I love wool Batting! I have not used Hobbs but I do use Quilters dream wool, not only is it lighter, I think the quilt has a softer feel too!

[Sheagatzi]

Great feedback Jim.   I have started using wool batting in the past 6 months and am in LOVE!  I use the Hobbs Heirloom by the roll and it is beautiful.   Very good to know about bearding, because I have not had black backing yet.   Have had red - and no problems.  

[Cagey]

I did my first quilt in Hobbs wool, and I really liked the feel and the look.  Though when I washed it, it smelled awful while it was drying.

 

Cagey

[delld]

Love wool batting

Have used both Hobbs and Quilters Dream. Both give great definition.

[Neher-in-law5]

I have used wool in the king sized quilt for our bed.  It has been washed more than once and is still great and dried in the drier.  There was no smell during the washing and drying.  I won't use cotton for a bed quilt for my uses at all, too heavy and hotter than the wool.

[JanieSue]

Thanks for posting this.  I have my very first quilt on the frame using wool and am really looking forward to how it's going to turn out.  It is for my daughter and she does wash her quilts quite often because of her allergies.

[brendasr8]

Thanks, Jim, for doing all of the leg work on this and informing us.  Really good info.  I use Dream Wool a lot and feel even better about it now.

 

Brenda

[lindasewsit]

I LOVE wool!!!!     I use Quilter's Dream!!!  LOVE the way it quilts up!!!  Thanks for the info!!!