01273569350
Free UK Shipping of Orders Over £50
Quilter‑run and community‑built. Thank you for supporting our independent shop.
Shop By Category
Shop By Brand
Shop By Brand
Heirloom Natural 100% Wool
Hobbs Heirloom Premium 100% Wool Batting (Wadding) is a highly sought-after wadding that has become a favorite among quilters. It is known for its soft and luxurious feel, as well as its ability to bring out a quilter's piecing and stitching. This batting needles beautifully, maintains its loft, and has exceptional resilience.
Made from the finest superwashed wool, Hobbs wool wadding for quilts is lightweight, breathable, and suitable for use in all climates, even hot and humid ones. The superwashing process smooths the scales on the wool fibers, making it pleasant to the touch and less likely to shrink. This product is also strong and resists bearding and migration.
Hobbs Heirloom Premium 100% Wool Batting (Wadding) is a popular choice for show quilts due to its ability to showcase a quilter's piecing and stitching while hanging beautifully without a crease in sight. However, it should be noted that this batting should be used with medium or dark fabrics, as the natural wool color may be visible through lighter fabrics. It is recommended that quilters test the batting with their chosen fabric(s) to ensure that darkening or shadowing will not be an issue.
This batting can be stitched up to 4" apart and is machine washable (once inside a quilt) with an expected shrinkage of 3-5%.
Hobbs 100% Wool Wadding - Frequently Asked Questions
Hobbs Heirloom Wool batting is highly prized for its luxurious softness, exceptional resilience, and ability to hold a beautiful loft that truly highlights your piecing and quilting stitches. It provides excellent warmth without being heavy, is naturally breathable, and resists creasing, making it a popular choice for show quilts.
Yes, Hobbs Heirloom Wool batting is washable once it's quilted into a project.
- Hand Washing: This is generally recommended. Use cool water and avoid harsh agitation.
- Machine Washing: If machine washing, use a gentle cycle with cool/cold water. Avoid heavy agitation or strong spin cycles, especially in front-loading machines, as these can be hard on the quilt.
- Drying: Air drying flat is highly recommended. You can tumble dry on a cool/air-fluff setting for 5–10 minutes to start, but complete drying by laying flat. NEVER use high heat or steam, as this can cause felting (making the batting dense and stiff) and lead to bearding.
No, pre-washing is not recommended for Hobbs Heirloom Wool batting. This product is needle punched and bonded - if washed before quilting, the fibres can come apart and result in unusable wadding. It is designed to be used directly from the package.
Yes, Hobbs Heirloom Wool batting is expected to shrink about 3-5% when washed after quilting. This is similar to cotton battings and contributes to the lovely "crinkled" or "vintage" look often desired in quilts.
You can quilt Hobbs Heirloom Wool batting up to 4 inches (10 cm) apart. This allows for good puffiness and definition of your quilting stitches.
Hobbs Heirloom Natural Wool batting is unbleached and has a natural cream/off-white color. It's generally recommended to pair it with medium to dark fabrics. If used with white or very light-colored fabrics, the natural color of the wool could slightly darken the fabric.
It's always best to test a small swatch with your chosen fabrics to ensure you're happy with the effect. Hobbs also offers bleached cotton options if a completely white batting is crucial for your project.
Yes, it is excellent for both hand and machine quilting. Many quilters find it needles wonderfully, making it a joy to work with.
It's a versatile batting, popular for:
- Bed quilts (comfortable, provides warmth without weight, and great for summer quilts too)
- Lap quilts
- Show quilts (due to excellent drape and stitch definition)
- Flannel quilts (for added coziness and puffiness)
- Projects where a luxurious feel and good loft are desired.