Choosing batting within quilting fabrics & thread comes down to the finish and quilting process you want. Pellon Natural Cotton emphasizes soft, durable draping, while Pellon 80/20 focuses on washability, stitch definition, and a soft loft that creates less resistance during hand quilting. The listed prices are close, so the fiber choice matters more than the small gap.
Quick verdict
- Choose Pellon Natural Cotton Batting when natural cotton and soft draping are central to the project. Its lightweight stabilizing scrim also allows stitching areas of up to 8-10 inches apart.
- Choose Pellon 80/20 Quilting Batting when washability, stitch definition, or quilting by hand, machine, or longarm is the priority. Its soft loft is specifically described as creating less resistance during hand quilting.
The listed-price spread is $1.15: $38.00 for the Natural Cotton bolt and $39.15 for the 80/20 bolt.
Compact comparison
| Product | Listed price | Listed bolt size | Standout wording |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pellon Natural Cotton Batting | $38.00 | 96" x 9 yards | Natural cotton, off-white, with scrim |
| Pellon 80/20 Quilting Batting | $39.15 | 96" x 9 yards | 80/20 blend, off-white, soft loft |
Where each batting bolt wins
Pellon Natural Cotton Batting
This is the clearer fit for a project built around natural cotton and a softly draped finish. The scrim provides a defined stitching range of up to 8-10 inches apart, which gives the quilting plan a concrete spacing reference. Cotton's listed 3-5% shrinkage is also relevant if a pre-soak is appropriate for the project.
Pellon 80/20 Quilting Batting
The 80/20 bolt has the broader stated quilting-use description: it suits hand, machine, and longarm quilting. It also brings washability and good stitch definition, while the roll-up format supports simple storage between projects. Those details make it the more fitting direction when handling convenience and quilting method are important parts of the decision.
Product notes
Pellon Natural Cotton Batting, off-White 96" x 9 Yards by the Bolt
Pellon Natural Cotton Batting makes sense when the project calls for the feel and drape associated with natural cotton. It is described as soft and durable, with a lightweight stabilizing scrim that adds strength without changing the focus on a soft finished result. That combination gives quilters a straightforward reason to select it for projects where draping is important. The main limitation is the stated 3-5% cotton shrinkage, so the fabric-preparation plan matters before quilting. It is also the lower-priced choice at $38.00, although the price difference is modest. Select this bolt for natural-cotton character and draping rather than for a blend-focused finish.
Pellon 80/20 Quilting Batting, off-White 96" x 9 Yards by the Bolt
Pellon 80/20 Quilting Batting is the stronger match for quilters who want a soft loft with less resistance during hand quilting. Its stated washability and good stitch definition add useful project-specific reasons to choose it, and the blend is described for hand, machine, and longarm work. The roll-up format is another practical detail for storing the batting between sessions. Its limitation is that the 80/20 composition is not the natural-cotton choice, so it points toward a blend-based result instead. At $39.15, it is also the higher-priced bolt, but the $1.15 difference is small compared with the choice between the two batting types.
Final choice by use case
- For natural cotton and soft draping: Choose Pellon Natural Cotton Batting.
- For hand quilting with less stated resistance: Choose Pellon 80/20 Quilting Batting.
- For washability and stitch definition: Choose Pellon 80/20 Quilting Batting.
- For a project where a 3-5% cotton shrinkage consideration fits the plan: Choose Pellon Natural Cotton Batting.
With matching 96-inch by 9-yard bolt dimensions and only a $1.15 listed-price difference, the decision is mainly about natural cotton versus an 80/20 blend and the quilting characteristics attached to each.
