Why We Don't Carry Quilt Batting: A Transparent Look at Shipping Costs

One of the most common questions we receive from our quilting community is: "Do you carry quilt batting?" It's a fair question—after all, batting is an essential component of every quilt project. Today, we want to be completely transparent about why we've made the difficult decision not to stock quilt batting in our online store.

The Shipping Challenge

The simple answer comes down to shipping costs. While we'd love to be your one-stop shop for all your quilting needs, the reality of shipping quilt batting makes it financially impractical for both us and, more importantly, for you, our valued customers.

Why Is Batting So Expensive to Ship?

Quilt batting presents unique shipping challenges:

  • Size and Volume: Even when compressed, batting takes up significant space. A queen-size batting package can be bulky and requires oversized shipping boxes.
  • Weight: While batting might seem light, it adds up quickly, especially for larger sizes. Cotton and wool battings are particularly heavy.
  • Dimensional Weight Pricing: Shipping carriers charge based on dimensional weight (size) rather than actual weight for large, lightweight items. This means batting often gets charged at premium rates despite being relatively light.
  • Packaging Requirements: Batting needs to be protected from moisture and damage during transit, requiring additional packaging materials that add to both cost and size.

The Math Doesn't Work

Let's be honest about the numbers. To ship a queen-size batting package across Canada, shipping costs can easily range from $25 to $50 or more, depending on the destination. When you consider that quality batting itself typically costs between $20 and $40, you could be paying more for shipping than for the product itself.

We could build these shipping costs into our product prices, but that wouldn't be fair to you. We believe in transparent pricing, and we don't want you to experience sticker shock at checkout or feel like you're not getting good value.

Supporting Your Local Quilt Shop

Here's where we see a silver lining: this is a perfect opportunity to support your local quilt shop! Local shops can offer batting without the burden of shipping costs, and you get the added benefits of:

  • Immediate Availability: Take your batting home the same day and start your project right away
  • Expert Advice: Staff can help you choose the right batting for your specific project
  • Feel the Product: Touch and compare different batting types before purchasing
  • No Shipping Wait: No waiting for delivery or worrying about package delays
  • Supporting Local Business: Keep money in your local economy and build relationships with fellow quilters

What We Do Carry

While we don't stock batting, we're proud to offer an extensive selection of:

  • Premium quilting fabrics from top designers
  • Fabric bundles and pre-cuts
  • Quilt patterns  patterns are light and ship for free
  • Quilting notions and tools that ship efficiently
  • Thread and other lightweight essentials

These items ship economically and allow us to keep our prices competitive while providing excellent value.

Our Commitment to You

Our decision not to carry batting isn't about limiting our product range—it's about being responsible business owners who respect your budget. We'd rather be upfront about the shipping challenges than surprise you with high costs at checkout.

We're committed to:

  • Offering products that ship economically and arrive safely
  • Maintaining competitive pricing without hidden costs
  • Being transparent about our business decisions
  • Providing the best possible value for your quilting dollar

Finding Batting Near You

We encourage you to check out these options for purchasing batting:

  • Local Quilt Shops: Your best bet for selection, advice, and immediate availability
  • Fabric Stores: Many general fabric stores carry basic batting options
  • Craft Chains: Larger craft retailers often stock batting and run regular sales
  • Quilting Guilds: Some guilds organize group purchases to get better pricing

We're Here for Everything Else

While we can't help you with batting, we're here for all your other quilting needs. From beautiful fabrics to inspiring patterns, we're dedicated to supporting your quilting journey in the ways that make the most sense for an online business.

We appreciate your understanding and your continued support. If you have questions about any of our products or need recommendations for local batting sources in your area, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're always happy to help!

Have you found a great local source for batting? Share your recommendations in the comments to help fellow quilters in your area!

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