Nanscan

Hello! I am about to hand quilt using a two way stretch cotton fabric for my backing. Fortunately, I don't think I will have to piece it as it is wide enough for my quilt. Any tips for special techniques for using this type of material? I have only ever quilted with 100% cotton in the past. Many thanks!

JustAbitCrazy

Yikes. I've never used anything stretchy, (sounds like cotton with spandex??) not sure that's a good idea. Maybe a braver soul here who has tried something like that will give you the benefit of their experience.

Tartan

If you are hand quilting in a hoop, just watch you don’t stretch it putting it in the hoop. If you stretch it putting it in the hoop, once the hoop is removed it will spring back wrinkling the top.

jokir44

The only tip I can give you is that I would not do it. Use that fabric for clothing and get regular cotton quilting fabric for the backing.

pewa88

I agree with others. In my experience it is not suitable for backing. The lycra will break down over the years and it will cause sagging.

Nanscan

Doesn't sound like it's a good idea, does it? What if I tried to stabilize the material with a light iron on?

JustAbitCrazy

I still wouldn't use it for backing. Remember all elastic breaks down over time, faster if exposed to heat (like drying in a clothes dryer). Think of the elastic waistbands in old underwear, old rubber bands, and the like. Limited life expectancy, unlike pure cotton. Do you want to do all that work using something with a limited life expectancy? I wouldn't. Just mho. I know that's not what you want to hear, sorry.

Nanscan

Thank you everyone. I’ll purchase the cotton backing. Too much work to take the chance. I appreciate it.

LaurMac

When I used minky, I fused it with light weight stabilizer before layering it so that it wouldn't stretch.

SusieQOH

Nanscan- I agree that all that work involved in hand quilting isn't worth not getting the right backing.