snowyquilter

I have started a project just like this. I have a small picnic blanket that I was trying to duplicate but in a bigger size and make it look like a quilt on top. Picnic blankets have nylon on the bottom, which is much more managable and easier to wash than vinyl. The trick is to not have that much quilting on the bottom because as others have said, the wholes from the needle and thread going through will let water and dirt into the middle of the quilt. There are two ways to go about doing it:

If you want just a simple grid spaced quite large: Pick a pattern for the pieced top that will allow this. The last border of the quilt should be made with the nylon. Then add the batting (also have to find one that will allow minimal quilting) and use the nylon for the back. Quilt with a simple grid or something so that you won't have too many wholes in the back. Use the nylon for the border also.

If you want more quilting: Make any quilt top you want again using nylon for the last border. Then sandwich as usual using a thin batting and a basic muslin or something for the back (it will not show). Quilt everything however you want except the outside nylon border. Do not quilt that part. Then add a second bottom of the nylon. The first muslin bottom is only there to help quilt it. Now if you have a relatively small quilt, you simply add the border on and that is what holds it all together. That way there are no wholes (other than around the very edge) for water to get in. Yes the nylon is not quilted to it but if it is small then it won't really be a problem. I have seen many done like this. If it is a larger quilt (something more than lap quilt size), then re-quilt the whole thing (top, batting, muslin, nylon) but only with a basic grid or something and very very far apart, 1 -1.5 foot grid spacing is plenty. It works best to plan this out ahead of time so it doesn't look funny. You can quilt on top of quilt lines you already did or add more in. Whatever you want. And it doesn't even have to be a grid. It can be a few small stiches here and there just to hold the nylon to the bottom.

If you don't have too much quilting going through the nylon and you plan on using it on the ground mostly in grassy or dry areas then you can use it just like that. But if you really want to make sure it is waterproof you can spray the bottom with waterproofing stuff (can't think of what it is called at the moment). It is the same stuff you can spray on coats to make them waterproof. Places like Cabellas's or Sportsman's Wharehouse have it and I think Walmart too in the outdoor/camping area.

Hopefully that made sense. I have seen it done and it really works well. Good luck!

snowyquilter

Forgot to say I have seen the nylon at Joann Fabrics. I believe they called it Sport nylon. They also sell ripstop nylon but that is so thin that it would not hold up long. The Sport nylon is still thin but quite sturdy.

wakrueger

I was at Joann's yesterday looking for fabric to make bibs waterproof. I asked about the clear vinyl. The lady showed me fabric she called PUL (don't remember what it stands for). She said it was fabric people use to make diaper covers for cloth diapers. She said it's waterproof. Don't know if it would work for quilting but you could buy a small piece and try it before you make a big project.

dirty1mom

Last summer I found a link to somewhere that had a "picnic" quilt. I haven't made one yet, but it is on my list. The lady made the quilt and then attached snap to it. The other half of the snap she attached to a vinyl/flannel backed table cloth. That way the bottom was protected from the ground with the vinyl and the flannel side was against the quilt. When she wanted to wash the quilt she just unsnapped all the snaps and threw the quil in the washer.

karate lady

How about printing up a washing instruction and/or use sheet and including it in with the quilt..???

Pam S

I have the same type of blanket which came with my Chevy Venture years ago (car's long gone, still use the blanket for outdoor concerts, etc.) The backing is more like a heavy ripstop nylon than a stiff vinyl - very pliable and foldable. The front is a fleecy fabric. It's not really quilted but just a few lines of stitching to anchor the front to the backing, bound (with the nylon) around the edges, velcro straps for rolling it up and and handles for carrying. Works great. Washes in the machine. I haven't tried putting it in the dryer, just hanging to dry. I'd much rather use this than a quilt I spent a lot of time on.

Greenheron

This old Girl Scout recommends getting a camper's "ground cloth" or one of the new foam pads from a sporting goods company, if the intended use is to put under a bed. If he needs a camping quilt for other purposes, it should be a utility style, one that can take rough handling. There is sturdy camouflage material available, (some water resistant) that might be suitable for the purpose.

Pam H

I would worry about it taking forever to dry when you wash it and then maybe getting mildewed. With a vinyl backing, all the drying would have to happen from the front.

chuckbere15

I would use denim for the backing. Then I would add some snaps around the border to attach the vinyl backing. Include a note on how to care for the quilt.

Knitette

This is what I would do - that or some Velcro strips.