Bamboo batting has quickly become a favorite for quilters who want to blend luxury with sustainability.
- What is Bamboo Batting?
- How It’s Made:
- Bamboo batting is made from the fibers of the bamboo plant, which are processed and blended to create a soft and breathable material. It’s often combined with cotton or other fibers to enhance its durability and stability.
- Bamboo fibers are naturally silky, making the batting feel soft and smooth to the touch. These fibers are also eco-friendly, as bamboo is a highly sustainable crop that grows quickly and requires fewer resources than cotton or polyester.
- Why It’s Popular:
- Bamboo batting is loved for its eco-friendliness and luxurious feel. It has natural antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties, making it a great choice for people with sensitive skin or allergies.
- It’s also incredibly breathable, helping to regulate temperature, so it’s perfect for year-round quilts. Quilters who are seeking a lightweight and environmentally conscious option are turning to bamboo for its soft texture and sustainability.
- Benefits of Bamboo Batting:
- Eco-Friendly:
- Bamboo is one of the most sustainable resources on the planet. It grows quickly without the need for pesticides, and it requires far less water than cotton. This makes bamboo batting a fantastic choice for eco-conscious quilters who want to reduce their environmental footprint.
- It’s also biodegradable, making it a greener option when compared to synthetic battings like polyester.
- Lightweight and Breathable:
- Bamboo batting is prized for its breathability, making quilts that feel light and airy. It helps regulate body temperature, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
- Its lightweight nature makes it great for summer quilts or quilts used in warmer climates, but it’s versatile enough for year-round use.
- Hypoallergenic and Antibacterial:
- Bamboo fibers are naturally hypoallergenic, which means they’re less likely to cause allergic reactions. This makes bamboo batting ideal for quilts that will be used by babies, children, or anyone with sensitive skin.
- Bamboo also has natural antibacterial properties, making it resistant to bacteria, mold, and mildew—perfect for quilts that need to stay fresh for longer periods.
- Tips for Quilting with Bamboo:
- Machine Quilting:
- Bamboo batting is easy to machine quilt due to its silky, smooth texture. It glides under the needle without much resistance, and its lightweight nature means less strain on your machine.
- When quilting with bamboo batting, you may need to adjust your tension slightly, as bamboo has less loft than polyester or cotton blends. Using a walking foot will help you get smooth, even stitches.
- Hand Quilting:
- Bamboo batting is also a great choice for hand quilting because it’s easy to needle through. Its fibers are soft and don’t have the same stiffness as other battings, allowing for smoother stitches.
- For hand quilting, avoid bamboo batting with a scrim, as this might add some stiffness and make it harder to quilt through.
- Basting:
- Because bamboo batting is lightweight and can shift more easily than heavier battings, thorough basting is crucial. Using spray adhesive or safety pins is recommended to keep everything in place while you work.
- Bamboo vs. Other Batting:
- Feel:
- Bamboo batting has a silky, luxurious feel that many quilters love. It’s soft and drapey, creating quilts that feel lightweight and comfortable against the skin. It’s especially great for quilts meant to be used in the summer or in warmer climates.
- In comparison, cotton is heavier and more substantial, while polyester offers a fluffier, high-loft feel. Bamboo batting is ideal for those looking for a soft, smooth, and breathable option.
- Look:
- Bamboo batting produces a quilt with a smooth, soft finish and a light drape. It has a lower loft than polyester, so quilts won’t appear as puffy, but it gives a more refined, flowing look that’s perfect for elegant or modern quilts.
- If you want a quilt with more definition in the stitching, bamboo might not give the same dimensional look as polyester or wool, but it’s perfect for a sleek, flat finish.
- Longevity:
- Bamboo batting is durable but may not hold up quite as long as polyester or wool battings when exposed to heavy use and frequent washing. However, when properly cared for, bamboo can last a long time without losing its shape.
- It’s more durable than cotton in terms of resisting shrinkage and sagging over time, but care should be taken to avoid over-washing or using high heat in the dryer, as it can cause the fibers to break down faster.
The best way to really get a feel for bamboo is try it. We stock 2 types of Bamboo Batting - 100% Bamboo and 50/50 Cotton-Bamboo. In addition to these 2 types - we carry all the pre-cut sizes from crib to king.
