Passionate Quilter

I am making a flannel quilt for my son and have embroidered wildlife on 9" squares. I used a muslin color flannel, put a lightweight iron on permanent fusible interfacing on the back of the entire fabric before I cut any squares and used wash-away interfacing on the top. I made my embroidery on long strips that I marked the 9" squares on and then cut them apart when the whole strip was done. I did that so I would not have to work with small areas which may have caused a problem. When finished I removed the tear-away interfacing and starched it heavily. It was really easy to do and came out beautiful. Good luck on yours, I think you will be successful.

scrappy2

I prewash fannel because it shrinks and your embroidery thread doesn't and it will possibly cause puckering. I would also use a stabilizer and a topper (like you would use for towels) to keep the stitches from stinking into the flannel. Only to best for are 4legged kids & G-kids. I'm sure they will love it & besure to post pictures.

MargeD

I'm sure your doggies will love their flannel and fleece blankets, but I would definitely wash the flannel first, as the dogs nails could get caught in the loosely woven flannel, not good.

mar32428

You do need to use a top stabilizer. You may need more than one sheet. Try a practice piece first. If you don't, the stitches will sink into the nap and be totally lost. I use wash-away so I don't have to pick out those little pieces of paper.

janetter

I owned an embroidery business. PLEASE use wash away stabilizer on the top and tear away stabiler on the bottom and it will turn out perfect!!! and yes wash it first

Anna O

I don't prewash my flannel if the whole quilt is flannel, including the backing. It all will shrink along with the batting with the first wash/dry.

jlwheart

I wash my flannel and starch it before I embroider on it. Starching has made working with flannel lots easier. Hope this helps. Lucky dogs!

winter012

I agree with deborahlees: flannel shrinks, fleece doesn't. You shouldn't mix the two kinds of fabrics for that reason. You are sooooo sweet to make your doggies their own beds, however!!!!!!

katesnanna

[quote=janetter]I owned an embroidery business. PLEASE use wash away stabilizer on the top and tear away stabiler on the bottom and it will turn out perfect!!! and yes wash it first


Thanks for that information. I'll keep a copy of this. Always good to get info from the professionals.

biscuitqueen

I used cutouts and used basting spray to hold it in place as I stitched arround it. came out kinda cool I did a fire hydrant w/ name on it and paw prints. I used cookie cutters for templates.