Quilted fabric is made from layers of fabric stitched together, usually with a layer of soft wadding or batting in between. The quilting stitches hold the layers securely in place while creating the distinctive padded texture, warmth and gentle structure. It comes ready quilted, so you can cut and sew it directly into your chosen project without having to layer and quilt the fabric yourself.

Quilted fabric is wonderfully versatile and particularly useful when you want warmth without lots of additional construction. It’s ideal for padded jackets and coats, gilets, cosy outer layers, quilts and blankets, as well as bags and accessories, cushions and other home sewing projects. The weight and amount of padding will vary between fabrics, so check the individual description to make sure it suits your chosen pattern.

Some quilted fabrics are beautifully finished on both sides and can be used as reversible fabric, giving you two looks from a single cloth. This is particularly useful for unlined jackets, gilets, cuffs and other projects where both sides may be visible. Not every quilted fabric is reversible, though, so always check the individual product description before planning your project.

You don’t need lots of specialist equipment, although a walking foot can be very helpful when sewing through multiple padded layers as it helps feed them evenly through the machine. Use a fresh needle appropriate for the fabric, and you may find a slightly longer stitch length gives a neater result. Clips can also be useful in place of pins when the fabric is particularly thick.

Despite the similar names, they’re quite different. Quilted fabric has already been layered and stitched, usually with wadding between the outer fabrics, so it arrives padded and ready to use. Quilting cotton is a tightly woven cotton fabric without wadding. It’s commonly used for patchwork and quilting, where you create the layers and quilting yourself, but it’s also useful for many other sewing and craft projects.

Because quilted fabric contains several layers, finishing the edges neatly can make a big difference to the finished project. Bias binding is a particularly lovely option for jackets, gilets, bags and blankets, as it encloses all the raw layers and creates a clean finish. Depending on the fabric and pattern, seams can also be overlocked or bound on the inside. It’s worth checking your sewing pattern before cutting, as the recommended construction method may affect the seam allowance and edge finish.