Backing a quilt witih flannel
I am making a baby quilt for my newest great-grandson - have the top pieced and am pleased with it - my question is - can I use a piece of flannel for the back - sew the four sides leaving a spot open to turn - and then stitch in the ditch to attach it together and not put batting in the center? Would the quilt be too flimsy without batting and not wear well - my baby lives in the South so batting for warmth is not necessary. You gals are always so gracious in offering help and my thanks for your input.
Best regards, Joan |
I like to have something in the middle...even if its another piece of flannel. If not to me its like a table cloth...and no I am not the quilt police, but I think for it to be called a quilt it needs three pieces of fabric. - I make blankets for my granddaughter with flannel on one side and cotton on the other, turn them inside out and sew a decorative stitch around the outside...works great.
|
I am wrong...I looked it up and it says some modern quilts only have two layers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quilt
|
I live in southern Georgia and have done small quilts just like that...we don't have lots of cold and they are nice for when it's just cool.
|
don't forget that some flannel shrinks at a higher percentage than other fabrics. perhaps, you might want to launder it in hot water several times to allow for this shrinkage.
|
Originally Posted by rush88888
(Post 5811829)
don't forget that some flannel shrinks at a higher percentage than other fabrics. perhaps, you might want to launder it in hot water several times to allow for this shrinkage.
|
I just made a baby quilt for my sister using flannel and it turned out great! I didn't use batting and I have to tell you... I'll never do that again. It was way too flat and it didn't flatter the quilting at all. Baby quilts should have some fluff! :)
|
I do this a lot. I am also in the deep south and we rarely need heavy blankets. Flannel backing with no batting makes a nice lightweight quilt that is soft and drapes well. I made one for DH this way and he uses it as a throw on the sofa all the time. Use a good quality flannel, and like the others said, definitely prewash. I am not a dedicated prewasher, but I ALWAYS prewash flannel, often two or three times.
|
I always use w&n batting even when I back it with flannel. It has a nicer feel to it.
But defiantly always wash flannel for shrinkage. |
I use flannel a lot. Wash/dry, wash/dry. Also use a wider seam on back, like half inch. Even better, use a serger. Flannel likes to fray a lot.
You can use however many layers you want. Your quilt, your rules. I made my DH a t-shirt quilt and used warm and natural in the center and backed it with flannel. It's very warm - too warm for the south. I have done quilts with flannel instead of batting and backed it with flannel - that works better for me. I like to anchor down all the seams with quilting. One of my grandmothers used to make tops and only use a sheet for backing and nothing inbetween - everybody loved them. Let us know what you decide. |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 10:21 AM. |