Normally they are made from flannel and the more fraying the better. I've seen them made with fleece so you don't get the fraying but the ends kind of curl. Normally the quilting process consist of sewing an X thru the center and around the edges; inside of where you'll cut. I have the Accuquilt and it makes life so much easier; all the cutting along with the slits are done for you. I've done embroidery in the middle and I've used prints on one side and then appliqued designs on the back for a 2 sided quilt; great for little ones. I saw one at the quilt show that was in the shape of a large turtle; that was nice. I cut lots of squares from flannel, then sandwich them together and quilt them. I then store them in a large tote so when I all of a sudden have to have a quilt to make its just a matter of picking and arranging blocks and sewing them together; the quiling, cutting and snipping was already done.