Does denim need batting?
 

Does a denim quilt top with cotton back need batting? I am concerned that it will be too heavy. Need your opinion.

denimn comes in a variety of weights.
the lightest of these would work well with batting.

jeans-weight plus batting would most likely be very heavy.

if you do choose to use batting i recommend you find the lowest loft possible.
warm & natural, for example, would not be the ideal in this case.

Quilter's Dream makes a very low loft batting.
Hobbs Heirloom is a nice light batting, too.

I save all old jeans and cut them up to make quilts. I do not use batting. It's way to heavy and plenty warm enough without it

I made a king size quilt with jeans denim and batting. It is so heavy we don't use it. You have to lift it up to turn over. I took it to one soccer game in the snow. It was warm, but very heavy to carry.

I made a rag quilt from denim for my grandson and I did not use batting. It would have been too heavy. It turned out great!

Would you back it with light weight flannel?

batting is always a personal choice- back in the 80's my mom & siblings made dozens of denim patch work quilts (with buffalo batts) and sold them in a lighthouse gift shop- they were heavy- lofty- fabulous quilts people snatched up-
some people do not like heavy quilts and forgo batting often regardless of top/backing- some people make flannel quilts without batting -some always put in batting- some make fleece quilts with batting some without- i always decide on the purpose of the quilt- do i want it heavy warm? then i use batting- is it for picnics in the park in the summer time? then no batting---make it the way you want to.

I think it depends on where your quilt will be used. I've made several denim quilts that were to be used in FL so definitely no batting. I backed it with cotton.

I just backed the one I made with flannel, and used no batting. If you are wanting to use batting, would suggest the lightest one.

Some of my quilting friends have actually used flannel instead of batting.

Agree with Rose Bagwell... depending on the weight of the denim and how the quilt will be used, flannel as batting could be an option.

It's up to you. I've done it both ways. It really is quite heavy.

Simple answer, NO. They are very heavy and batting would make them even worse.

I made a rag quilt from recycled denim and flannel. It is really heavier than we like to use without any batting.

I just made a quilt with denim, it was heavy so I did not use any batting.

I have made several both ways. Some people like heavy quilts where others not so heavy. It would be best to try & find out if the person you are making it for wants heavy or not. A lot of my denim quilts I use fleece for the backing & no batting. They are very warm & I have sold several of these.

Ask yourself some questions we are "longarmers" would ask a customer when they bring a quilt for quilting:

1. What is this quilt going to be used for?
2. Do you want it for warmth or just a throw to wick off the cold i.e. at a football game?
3. What type of batting - 4 oz poly batting or all cotton or blend?

You will know what to do with your quilt when you stop and think about its future. I've made several and quilted several denim quilts for others - everyone single customer has put batting of some sort in the quilt. I also have two "camping" quilts made from my childrens clothes - they have batting and a cotton back. My only regret is not putting flannel on the back they would have been warmer when sitting outside at night at a campsite! Good luck. There have been many great responses.

My SIL has made quilts from her kid's old jeans and she only backs them with flannel. I know from having slept under them that they are plenty warm, but not too heavy.

I made a jeans quilt and backed it with flannel. If you have enough people in family wearing jeans you may be able to use the different colors to make a design. It wasn't till I laid all the sq. out that I realised by changing a few I could make a color pattern.

I saved old jeans and make a patchwork denim quilt top and used a poly batt and flannel backing for it. Yes it is heavy but I wanted it to be warm. My son is a truck driver and needed something heavy in the truck. This is perfect for him on the road. He loves it. It washes well and is warm.

I have made a large denim log cabin quilt, and tied and used flannel for the backing with. It was heavy enough.