Wadding for quilt: manmade or natural?

[hillbilly]

I have a machine patchwork quilt which I inherited from my mum but only the top has been completed so I need to get wadding, do the quilting and attach a back. I'm pretty sure she always used manmade wadding (30 years ago) but I like the idea of natural.

Can anyone explain the difference and how I should choose what to use?

100% polyester: most lightweight, dries quickly, doesn't shrink much, durable, cheapest.

100% cotton: heavier, (may be hard to find, actually) dries more slowly, shrink problems, not as durable, more cost.

50-50 cotton-poly: mix of above, quite popular.

50-50 cotton-bamboo or 100% bamboo: lightweight, dries quickly, doesn't shrink much, env. friendly, not as durable, more cost, bit harder to work with (it peels & sheds).

100% poly or the 50-50 polycotton are most popular, I have been very happy with bamboo.

Thanks ragged!

Most quilters I know favour 80/20 - 80% cotton, 20% polyester.

However, Cotton Patch sell sample packs for you to try so you can see for yourself. It is really down to personal preference and the look you are after for your quilt. This is one of the packs for mixed fibres and this the natural fibre wadding. The packs come eith a description of each and its qualities and what it is good for.

I think it was on here but I was recommended an alternative to wadding - fleece material (so man made) and found it really easy to use for my first patchwork, not too thick and has washed really well...