My son has been weight lifting after school and plans to go out for football this coming fall. I'm already thinking about sitting outside in the freezing temperatures watching him play!

I'd like to make a warm quilt that I can wrap around me while at his games, something simple and easy, but have it very warm. What would you suggest to use for batting? Is there a type of batting that is super warm, or would you suggest using a double layer of batting (I've never done that before). Or use fleece as the back?

Thank you for your help!
Jodi

I think the problem with doubling batting is that it adds a lot of weight and makes the quilt stiffer (so that it doesn't hug your body as easily).

My recommendation is for a good quality wool batting such as Hobbs.

2 layers of fleece will do it--or back your quilt with fleece, if you want REALLY warm, use batting in between....

I agree, two layers of fleece and cotton batting would be warm and wash up nicely too :D:D:D

If you want it really warm use old denim on one side.

My warmest is just regular cotton batting and a warm cotton blanket as backing, like the ones they use at the hospital. Yes, it is heavy, but it is very flexible. It has only a stitch in the ditch, since the more quilted the less flexible it is.

Oh my gosh I made my son a Demin rag quilt he loves it!! says its warm and soft I used old jeans cut up. I am thinking of putting Fleece on the side where the "rag side" is opposite side. It washes well and will take the rough and tumble of sitting in bleachers.

Yes Insulbright would definately keep you warm it reflects the heat of hot pans ect back away from you or your table/counter ect. so why not use it for convecting your own body heat.

My warmest one from my granny is flannel backed, cotton batting and wool patches on front....tied not quilted.

This was just in on another letter to this site. Sounds like
a marvelous idea for myself too. I forgot who did this, she's a smart lady.
--------------------------------------------------------------

I noticed in my dog supply catalog they are now offering sleeping mats that have a "thermo reflective material" in them to provide a warm sleeping place for old, arthritic dogs. I have an old arthritic dog so I bought 2 yds of insulbrite to try making bed covers or quilts for his sleeping comfort. Since I am also old and arthritic I decided to test it on my own bed first. I put it under my bottom sheet for a sleep test. It feels sooo good I will have to go back to Joanns for another 2 yds for Lad!

I agree, I made football quilts for all the cheerleaders one year to wrap up in at half time and I did that. In school colors. The loved them. 60x84 is how big mine were.

Just a tidbit: Somewhere, somewhere either online or something my Grandma told me that loosely quilted or tied comforters are the warmest as they hold more air and air is an insulator.

Buy some long underwear and wear it.

I made a quilt out of old cordory ? pants and had a piece of blanket fabric and put that on the back and that is what we use for cold baseball games. You could also use old blue jeans.

Jean on one side and fleece on the back. The jean fabric to keep the wind out and the fleece to make you warm. Maybe also make a little pad to sit on.

Someone just posted about insulbrite making them really warm..
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-83494-1.htm

Wool batting is very nice and warm . But do becareful as not all wash the same, some even have to be dry cleaned.
Ihave made quilts with double battings one layer cotton one of poly, loved the results. The poly gave extra loft to the quilting, and extra warmth.

This is what I was going to suggest ... a rag quilt, with either denim or flannel or both.

The fleece is very soft and warm. It also requires minimum quilting which helps keep it more flexible.

I agree about the tied ones being very warm. I just finished a scrappy (4.5 inch squares) quilt that I tied (first time tying a quilt) and it is so warm and snuggly - much more so than the other quilted ones I have made. I've already started another one for my DH as he keeps "stealing" mine for power naps!

I agree, and also flannel at least on the side you wrap in, flannel is always warmer.

Me too, wool batting would be good..maybe a good quality fannel on both sides. If your wanting it be really fast, just tie it instead of quilting it :lol:

Yes, wool makes a very warm quilt...that is all I have used for years for comforters...we are fortunate and have a carding mill in our area that makes the wool batts....they do also make polyester batts, but they are not as insulating as the wool. The wool "breathes" and is so cozy to cuddle up in. These are what I use for warmth, and then the pieced hand or machine quilted quilts for looks.

The main problems could be wind chill factors and sitting still! If you wear warm windbreaking clothes and move about as much as it could be possible in the stands that might be more effective.

If you go for the quilt, maybe use a wool batting or two plus could find some light wind-breaking fabric like 'Grenfell Cloth for the backing I bet that would be snug and warm.

I bought a really warm jacket when I worked in Labrador - Grenfell Cloth is a very tight cotton weave usually in primary colours; you might have to get it from Northern Newfoundland or Labrador.
They may send swatches; it's easy to work with a little like denim but tighter weave. I haven't checked recently but it probably is quite expensive. After the Native traditions of beading and embroidering parkas and anoraks the ladies who make the jackets embroider a bit - usually an emblem on the upper left chest - I had a purple jacket with two white ptarmigan (like partridge) and her two chicks. Since I had two sons I though it would be nice symbolism to wear around.

The warmest quilt I ever made was flannel with polyester batting and combed cotton backing.

Cotton flannel front and back and cotton warm and natural for batting makes a really warm quilt. I made ours with raggy edges so it went real fast too.

Maybe make a cover/duvet for a goose down comforter?

This was just what I wanted and didn't know it. I need to make beds for my DD's dogs. They are set up to be able to go outside while she is at work. And don't have the sense to come in most times. The room they have access to is not heated and if they will come in this will keep them warm

A lady at JoAnns was buying insulbrite for her quilt. And I thought it was just for pot holders, lol!

My Dad's chemo quilt was from the heaviest polar fleece I could find, wool batting and thick soft flannel. It did the trick.

I used wool batting for the first time this year and I think it's MUCH warmer than cotton!

from experience as a soccer mom get a wool Army blanket. very warm, or a sleeping bag (LOL) works. you could use the Army blanket as you batting if you really want a quilt.

thats a good idea

on the actual topic!! I made one from flannel on both sides with warm and natural wadding - I tied it as it would have been to thick to quilt - lovely and warm

My mom always brought the picnik table covers. The ones that are soft on the inside so they don't slide on the table. And then plastic on the outside. We use to wrap up in those. It kept the wind and the rain off. We did have blankets too but we always put that over the top. They really worked. If I had the choice to either bring a picnik table cover or a quilt I would take the table cover any day. Always good to bring a pillow or blanket or anything to sit on. The bleachers are metal or concrete and very cold. Have fun.

Wool batting - best ever.

Wool pieces on front, flannel backed, tied. I have several of these made by my Grandmother. They are very, very warm. I'm not sure what the batting is because I never have opened them. They are at least 70 years old. She brought the backing around to the front for the binding and did feather (we called in bird feet) stitch on it.

Actually, you might want to just get a fiberfill sleeping bag that unzips both directions (so your feet can be out). It is better wind protection, dries quickly after rain and snow, and can be thrown in washer/dryer. Save all that precious time and money for an 'inside' quilt. Yep....I worked in high schools for 30+ years and attended hundreds of football games in the cold. Have fun!

Use any of the sturdy fabric for the top and backing but look for a wool batt, lightweight and extra warm. Our ancestors knew what to do for cold weather. Make a cover for it and wash it instead of the quilt, I think that is called a duvet. At home you canuse it on your bed. I do.
Carol J.

My kids have denim quilts backed with fleece and the thickest batting I could find. They are tied of course. The denim and fleece are both durable. The quilts are heavy, but the kids carry them around all the time. Their friends are always borrowing them. We are having to make extras for friends. I like the idea of insulbrite in these quilts and am going to try that! These do have to go to the laundromat though, to be washed because they are so thick. A pad made the same way to sit on is a great idea!

I just read somewhere, where someone was going to make a dog bed with Insulabrite for an arthritic dog. She tried it under bed sheets at the foot of the bed and said it was wonderful. Maybe it would work? Not as heavy as 2 layers of batting, but could reflect the body heat back.

Thought it was a interesting idea.