Backing & Batting for String Quilts
 

I piece my string blocks on muslin. On the only quilt I've finished I used fleece for the backing with no batting and loved how it turned out. I have several UFO string tops to finish up.

I have a great piece of flannel that will match up to one of my tops for backing, but I'm wondering if the flannel alone will be enough like the fleece was. I usually use Warm & Natural batting but that will make this quilt way too heavy.

What have you used when quilting a string quilt for backing and/or batting?

I don't think W&N makes it too heavy.

I've used a thin batting and I've also used a low-loft batting, depending on the look I wanted. For the backs I usually use a coordinating solid cotton, but if I were making one for a child I would probably use a kids print or flannel. I'm currently making my first project using fleece for the backing and I did put a thin batting in there too.

How could someone from northerrn Minnesota ever think that a quilt could be too heavy or too warm?

How heavy is your muslin? If it's really thin cheesy stuff you can probably use warm and natural. The Warm

Company also makes Warm 50-50 blend batting which is quite thin which would be my choice.

this was my thought, too LOL

It is your quilt so you could use a flannel back with no batting. I like to have some dimension from my quilting so I would use a low loft batt with the flannel would be okay.

LOL... for me it wouldn't be a problem you are right! These are going to be donated to Project Linus, when I layer it using W&N it just seems so stiff and not cuddly at all.

I'm making a string quilt also on muslin and was also wondering what kind of batting to use. I was also considering fleece. I'm going to follow this thread and see what everyone suggest.

I am just finishing up a string lap quilt and used warm and natural, don't think its heavy at all....

I would layer with a thinner batting than Warm and Natural. Quilter's Dream request would be a wonderfully soft, thin, and sturdy batting to use. It is needlepunched, so does not require super close quilting.

Edit: I used to use Warm and Natural, but find that its drape is stiffer than I like (although it does soften up somewhat with washing), especially on small quilts. My absolute favorite for small quilts is Mountain Mist Blue Ribbon 100% cotton; however, it requires quilting every 2" or so. The QD is a great substitute and does not require such close quilting. Request weight is thin and lightweight; select weight is a little thicker. All cotton battings will soften more with each washing, making them really wonderful over the years.

I like to use warm & natural. Also my thought, too warm with batting?

Used fleece on my string quilts. Love how it looks when you FMQ. Washes so well. But live in West Texas, so haven't done it with W/N, might be too warm. My baby quilts I make from Strings always get fleece.

I've used quilters dream green plus a muslin foundation. It's lightweight weight but a a little stiff as most quilts are made with the green batting. They do soften with use.

I use muslim for a base for my string quilts...Then I used low loft batting. I live in Florida, and it was a fine weight and perfect for winter evenings

I have just completed a string top with ultra thin sheeting as foundation. Have purchased a very thin poly batting and the back will be calico/cotton mix. I don't think it will be too heavy as it is for my future DIL and she feels the cold as I do.

Thanks so much for all of your comments! I'm going to look for a thinner batting to try or else I might use fleece again if I can find something that looks nice. For a little person I want it to be super cuddly and "squishy" enough that they can wrap up it in it/carry it around easily.

I made my string blocks on pieces of old sheets or really OOOOOOOOOOOOGLY fabric that I had in my stash. I then just sewed anothe piece of fabric to the back.

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