I found some SUPER UGLY casino-print (poker chips, cards, in hideous colors) fleece lap blankets on clearance at a Hancock Fabrics once for $2 each. I bought a few to use in lieu of batting for some charity quilts. It worked perfectly. All the "ugly" was covered up, never to be seen again, and with cotton top and backing the fleece didn't stretch or give me any other problems. They were the cheapest and probably warmest kid's quilts I ever made.