Batting (also known as wadding in the United Kingdom^[1] or filler^[2]) is a layer of insulation used in quilting between a top layer of patchwork and a bottom layer of backing material.^[2][3] Batting is usually made of cotton, polyester, and/or wool.

Fiber artists and hand spinners use a drum carder to make batts that they use for felting, spinning, and other projects. These carders can also be used to make batts that are a blend of multiple fiber types or a blend of fiber colors. Batts produced by hand carders are typically 6–8 inches (150–200 mm) wide and about 2 feet (610 mm) long.

Batting is also used to simulate snow in Christmas displays, such as for Christmas villages and Christmas tree skirts. It comes in sheets which are a few millimeters or up to a quarter-inch thick, either folded or rolled like giftwrap, and is often sold lightly sprinkled with silvery or multicolored glitter. A different variety called "Buffalo Snow" is much thicker and fluffier, and is sold folded or rolled in packages the size of a standard bed pillow. This was named for Buffalo, New York, which has heavy lake-effect snows, and is also the location of the Buffalo Batt & Felt company that first sold it as a decorative product.

[edit] References

1. ^ DawnPages -- Quilting Glossary, reddawn.net
2. ^ ^{a b} Quilts and Quiltmaking in America: Glossary of Quilt Terms, American Memory from the Library of Congress, memory.loc.gov
3. ^ Quilt Glossary, quiltuniversity.com

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