janceejan

I just finish a 40" square top I am going to give as a present for christmas. Have decided to make it a table topper with potholders and fabric bowls to go with it. Do most of you back your toppers that are basically just a quilt top? I was thinking with flannel and use a pillowcase method for finishing. Do you quilt or leave plain? It is a tube pattern done from a jelly roll from Tuesday Morning. I am not sure this tube method is for me. Lots of starch and still a good deal of ripple. I appreciate your suggestions.

donnalynett

I received a beautiful table topper as a gift and it had a back and was all professionally machine quilted.

erstan947

Most of mine are not quilted. It depends on the look you want. Some have had batting and others have not. Your choice.

AndiR

Personally, I like to add both batting and backing and quilt it.

If you don't back it, the edges and seams will get all raveled and frayed and it won't look nice for long. Flannel backing and the pillowcase method would be fine, but I would put at least some quilting in it. Forty inches is a large area which will start sagging and bagging, especially if it gets washed a lot.

It will make a wonderful gift, I like the idea of the potholders and fabric bowl to go with it!

valleyquiltermo

I agree with AndiR for sure. Lots of my family never had Grannys quilt tops quilted and they washed them and what a mess on the back.

Lori S

For table items I like a thin batting( pre- shrunk) and a thin backing. I think a thin batting helps to even out the seam bulk and give more body to the project. I have even used a poly felt in place of batting for these types of projects...

EmbQuilt

I always use batting and a backing - I used to mainly pillowcase but now usually don't use that method anymore - just my personal preference. The one time I didn't se a batting and backing I regretted it cuz if you wash it (which I usually do at least once before putting it away for the season), oh the wrinkles and threads coming out of the woodwork to say hi - cut me!!

I've been tempted to do the 10 minute table runner but am thinking of buying the thinnest flannel I can find to put in it cuz I just think it would hold better with at least some batting.

Also, if you decide to put a backing on, I agree 40" is too big of an area not to at least put a few quilting lines in.

Mamatron

Seems like it would eventually start to fray and come apart if there wasn't some sort of backing.

irishrose

I like Pellon fleece interfacing for table runners and placemats- not the fusible one. I'd use it in a tablecloth, too. Quilter's Dream has some thin poly batting usually sold for apparel that would work, too. Yes, I would use batting and backing. Flannel might work for the batting if you preshrink it. Some quilting? Yes.

janceejan

Thanks, that is what my gut was telling me. Should go with our first instincts, huh? Will post pics when I finish. Thanks again, I appreciate your input.