The Secret Quilt Batting Alternative That Will Save You Tons of Money

When you're making a quilt, the batting is usually the most expensive part of the whole project. You can easily spend upwards of $50 on batting alone if you buy it by the yard.

But I have a secret!

Some quilters have been saving a ton of money by swapping out traditional batting for an alternative material. I won't make you wait...

The secret is FLEECE.

Why Fleece Works as Quilt Batting

Fleece is so much cheaper than traditional batting. It comes 60 inches wide (or wider), and during the winter months it goes on some serious discounts. You can stock up on plain white polar fleece for next to nothing.

People have been using flannel, felt, and other heat-retaining fabrics inside quilts for years. However, those fabrics don’t provide the same plush feeling as batting. They are either too thin or not flexible enough. Using fleece for batting feels almost the same as traditional batting.

Honestly, I think fleece batting has some real advantages over cotton or polyester batting:

• It's lightweight and warm.

• It doesn't shift or break down as quickly when washed.

• It doesn't have loose fibers that separate and poke through your quilt, so it's actually easier to work with.

What About Flame Resistance?

If you're thinking the reason everyone uses traditional quilt batting is that it's flame resistant, that's actually a myth. Quilt batting is only flame resistant if it specifically has that label, and that type costs even more money.

Polar fleece is made from 100% polyester, and most quilt batting is either polyester or a cotton/polyester blend. Neither is inherently flame resistant. Some people worry that polyester batting will melt under an iron, but it would take a lot of heat to make that happen.

One Thing to Keep in Mind

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Fleece has always been a popular fabric for blankets, so it makes sense that it works well inside a quilt too. Just know that fleece retains heat better than most cotton batting, which means your finished quilt will be WARM. It also doesn't breathe as well. If you want a lighter or more breathable quilt, stick with cotton batting instead.

But if you want a cozy, budget-friendly quilt? Fleece is your new best friend.

Related reading: How to Pick Quilt Fabrics That Actually Work Together