I have made many things but not a quilt.......until now. What I need to know is this: how many layers of batting do I put between the top and bottom of the quilt? It's an awful lot of work to just put one layer of batting. Is that really enough? When I made a faux chenille baby blanket it was a good weight so, I would like my quilt to be warm enough to put over you. Please help. Thank you from Sacramento, CA...

We really don't need a hot quilt here in the Sacramento area. One layer of batting is plenty sufficient.

One layer of batting is usually plenty warm. Two layers make it awfully hard to quilt. You can purchase different lofts if you use poly batting. You can also use pre-washed flannel for the backing if you want it warmer.

one layer. if you feel you need more then get thicker batting. However, remember the thicker or more layers the harder to quilt even on the machine.

Usually you use only one layer of batting. What exact brand and type of batting do you have?

You may be thinking you want the "comforter" look in a quilt. This is a modern look that came about because commercially made comforters use high loft polyester batting. Using this high loft batting at home makes machine quilting harder.

Traditional antique quilts used thin cotton batting that shrinks a little in the wash, creating that distinctive soft, crinkled look.

There are many different kinds of battings in-between those two looks, too. Some battings require quilting no more than 2 inches apart, while other types can allow quilting lines as far apart as 8 or 10 inches.

You can layer 2 battings in a quilt, but this is probably not a good idea for a beginner, as it will make either machine or hand quilting more difficult.

I have several kinds of batting but plan on using warm and natural. I just was so surprised about what the finished product would be like. I usally jump in with both feet when I try something new. However, I wanted my quilt to be done correctly. Thanks, to all of you.

Warm n Natural is a fairly flat batting that does not require close quilting. I used to use it, but found that I prefer either Mountain Mist Blue Ribbon batting (100% cotton yielding a very traditional antique look) or Hobbs 80/20 batting (80% poly/20% cotton gives a more puffy look). Both of these battings wash up to be very soft. WnN, because it is needlepunched through scrim, has a slightly stiffer drape and feel after washing.

A quilt is not like a "comforter" you may be used to. They're not supposed to be fluffy at all. Cotton batting is very, very densely packed and is warm as it can be! One layer is more than enough, especially for your climate. And cotton gets softer with age and washing.