Quilting has been the pastime of Black matriarchs for generations. Although quilting was originally a forced pastime for enslaved women, the Civil War soon changed that, and quilts became a way to tell stories, enjoy community, share Black culture, create art, and make money. If you’ve recently taken up quilting as you connect with your history and ancestors, you may have questions about the materials you need to use, such as batting. Batting is the fluffy inner layer of your quilt that will make it comfortable and warm, but there are various kinds of batting to choose from. Keep reading to learn what type of batting is best for your homemade quilt.

Cotton is one of the most common types of batting and a popular choice for many beginner and experienced quilters. It’s natural, soft, and breathable, but still heavy enough to keep you warm during colder months. This is the perfect type of batting if you’re already using cotton material for your quilt fabric. However, cotton batting can be heavy, requiring a machine instead of hand stitching, especially if it has scrim, which provides structure for the batting. It can also shrink after watching, which can affect the look of the quilt, especially when hanging it up.

Another common type of batting is polyester, which is more affordable than other types of batting and slightly more durable. Polyester is fluffy and soft, with none of the weight cotton has so you can easily hand stitch it if it’s low-loft, or thin. High-lift, thicker batting can still be handstitched or even tied. Unfortunately, polyester is synthetic and doesn’t wick away moisture like natural batting would. And although it doesn’t shrink like cotton, it can shift inside the quilt and even make its way through your quilting fabric.

Bamboo has only recently become a batting option, but it’s quickly becoming popular with many quilters. While it’s typically blended with other fibers like cotton, it has minimal shrinkage risk while providing great stretch and breathability. This type of batting is eco-friendly, due to how fast bamboo grows, and antibacterial. Although it’s slightly more expensive than other types of natural batting, it’s an excellent choice for any quilter, including beginners.

There are various kinds of batting, and it can be difficult to know what type of batting is best for your homemade quilt. Cotton, polyester, and bamboo are some of the best and most popular batting choices, but there are other options you can consider while learning to quilt, such as silk, wool, and different blends. As you choose your materials, reflect on the long cultural history of quilting and how your newfound hobby is helping you connect with all who came before you.