A detailed comparison to help you choose the right batting for your quilting project
Cotton is the practical everyday choice — affordable, widely available, and delivers reliable results. Wool is the premium upgrade for quilters who want the best warmth, drape, and hand-quilting experience. If your budget allows it and you are making an heirloom quilt, wool is worth every penny.
| Feature | Cotton (100%) | Wool |
|---|---|---|
| Loft | low loft | medium loft |
| Warmth | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Breathability | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Shrinkage | 3-5% (creates desirable crinkle effect) | 1-3% (gentle, even shrinkage) |
| Max Quilting Distance | Up to 4 inches apart | Up to 4-6 inches apart |
| Price Range | $$ | $$$ |
Wool has a gentle, springy loft that sits between cotton's flat profile and polyester's puffiness. Cotton lies quite flat after washing and develops crinkle. Wool has enough loft to look substantial without being bulky, and it maintains that loft over time — it springs back rather than going flat after compression.
Wool is the clear warmth winner. Pound for pound, wool provides more warmth than any other batting material while remaining breathable. Cotton provides moderate warmth and breathes well, but cannot match wool's insulation. For cold-climate quilters, wool is the undisputed champion for bed quilts.
Cotton shrinks 3-5%, producing the beloved crinkled texture. Wool shrinks 1-3% — enough for a gentle texture without dramatic size change. The key difference is that wool can FELT if washed in hot water, which is a much worse outcome than cotton's predictable shrinkage. Follow wool washing instructions carefully.
Wool batting costs roughly 2-3 times more than cotton batting. A queen-size Hobbs Tuscany Wool runs $50-70 while a comparable cotton batting costs $20-35. For heirloom quilts, many quilters consider the wool premium worthwhile. For everyday quilts, cotton delivers excellent results at a fraction of the cost.
The needle glides through wool with almost no resistance. Hand quilters overwhelmingly prefer wool.
Wool's warmth-to-weight ratio is unmatched. Lighter than cotton but significantly warmer.
More affordable and easier to care for. Machine wash without worrying about felting.
Frequent washing is easier with cotton. Wool requires gentler care that is impractical for baby items.
The loft and drape of wool creates a polished, professional appearance that judges appreciate.
“Once I tried wool batting for hand quilting, I could never go back to cotton. It is like quilting through butter.”
The hand-quilting experience is the most commonly cited reason to switch to wool.
“Wool is my splurge batting for special quilts. Cotton is my workhorse for everything else.”
Many quilters use both — wool for heirloom pieces, cotton for everyday projects.
“I was terrified of felting my first wool quilt, but if you just use cold water and gentle cycle, it is fine.”
The fear of felting is the biggest barrier to trying wool. Most quilters find it manageable.
Preview fabric colors, experiment with block layouts, and choose the perfect batting — all in one free online tool.