For backing, have you ever used.....
 

....The plush throws or minky-type throws sold in dept stores that might be used for quilt backing instead of quilting cotton or flannel? These are so cheap compared to $10+ a yard! Quilting with these types of backings, what kinds of problems have you encountered and worked through?

keeping the layers even and flat so the back doesn't bunch up.

I used a micro fiber blanket for backing on a lap quilt, and even tho it is warm and cuddley, it was almost impossible to keep it from bunching up. I pinned the h*** out of it and still ended up with tucks and ridges. We don't really mind tho because it is on the back so you don't really see it and it feels good. Would be different if it was not just for our personal use.

I've read that the minkee is hard to work with. No personal experience, however.

I put Minkee on the back of a baby quilt and sent it to a longarmer. It stretched when the LA put it on her frame. The quilt started out square and was more of a rectangle by the time it was done. However, the person who had commissioned me to make the quilt didn't mind at all.

The minky really slips and slides around alot. I found the best thing I can do is pin, pin, pin! I have pretty good patience, and sometimes I get a little frazzled. They make such cozy things, its hard to resist using it. LOL!

I have used fleece and minkee. I love quilting it.

I've used the fleece blankets and had no major problems. I do tend to pin it a lot though. You do have to be careful not to stretch it too much.

Pat

With minkee, I've seen people put pics of quilts up here with it on the back and were quilted on a longarm. They looked good. I haven't tried it personally yet.

I've used the throws, blankets, fleece and minkee on the backs of quilts and I love it! I spray baste then do some pinning. I haven't had any problems and really like how cuddly they are. My only problem has been the lint but I can live with that.

I have used fleece with no problems, and it saves having to use any backing.

Thanks, everyone! I've used fleece without any problems before (works wonderful on pet quilts). And, minky purchased from LQS's has worked fine for very nice quilts. Today, I bought some 'sale' throws to use for backing....hoping to save some money in the process! I bought 3 different 'textures' of minky-type throws to find out which type will work best. With the price of fabrics so high, I thought this might provide a nice price break for a few projects.
It'll be a experiment. I may find a quilt-as-you-go project is the preferred style for something that is problematic but the backing will be nice and soft!

Would it help to use the spray basting?

Just finished a quilt for my newest granddaughter and used some minky type backing that I purchased at JoAnn's. I also frequently use fleece. Love both. Just be sure to use less tension on the backing, so as not to stretch it. I would think that the purchased throws would work the same. Keep thinking I'll try them.

I like to use pre-washed flannel for the back of my quilts that will be used to cozy up in front of the TV or to cozy up in to read a book.

I haven't but a friend of mine did. She recommended 1/2 inch seams instead of 1/4 and lots and lots of pinning. She loved the end result.

I have been thinking of using one of these cuddly throws for a backing, now with all this help I think I will.

Thanks Mary Jane for saying use 1/2" seams instead of 1/4". I can understand why, but I probably wouldn't have done that if I hadn't read this. Thanks.

Yes, I use fuzzy backings of one kine or another on children's quilts. It is a challange keeping them smooth, more or less. Along with being warm they are nonslip.

I have used fleece on many quilts and have not had a problem. When I have to piece it I use the 1/2 inch seam also. I do pin alot but never had a problem with the back puckering. Never used minki as I heard it is hard to work with.

I am just finishing a quilt with fleece backing. I used quilt as you go method and think its turning out well considering its my first fleece backed quilt. Its great not to have to use batting and I haven't had a problem with it stretching. My only problem is the person I'm making it for chose black fleece and it picks up so much dog hair and lint. I'll know better next to mention this to anyone who wants one

I use fleece all the time, but the ones you buy already made into throws can be very thin and stretchy if you are not careful in selecting them. They are frequently available at the thrift stores in all qualities for very reasonable prices.

I bought some gorgeous butterscotch-colored, paisley embossed minkee on sale from Fabric.com sometime ago. My LAQ lady who is fabulous at doing everything did an incredible job with it. The lap quilt was a gift and I made sure the receiver wanted "something fuzzy" on the back before I risked the money and the LAQ temperment!! Also made sure my LAQ really "wanted" to mess with it and back the quilt with it and she assured me she'd had success in the past. It turned out SO gorgeous, if I could afford it I'd put everything on minkee. Some of the suggestions here about doing it in small pieces "quilt as you go" sound interesting. I've had great success with the spray on glue (not really glue but I can't remember the name of it) when I FMQ a queen quilt on my machine. I could imagine that using the basting spray with minkee on small pieces that you QAYG would work just fine. Only problem would be the bulk at the seams...... what to do about that??

I've used both Minkee and Fleece as backing and quilted with the LAM. No problem for me. I love the soft backing. I don't use batting with the Minkee or Fleece.

I have always used flannel for backing, for extra warmth, plus it keeps the quilt from sliding off the bed. Recently I had one quilted with a fleece backing, I do not really like the way it turned out, I think there were problems with them keeping it from bunching up.

So, I will probably stick to cotton backing or flannel.

I used fleece as a backing a few years ago when I was using my short arm home machine. I used no batting and the quilting (SID) turned out very nice.

I finished a baby quilt for a friend and this is what they brought me. I pinned it very well and only did some stitch in the ditch. It turned out okay, not my choice, but it was okay.

I have tried all of the above. Real Minkee is the best, with purchased "cheap" throws being the worst (because they are woven looser, therefore they stretch badly). The secrets I've found are basting spray, pinning the daylights out of it, and a walking foot. Good luck. Just jump in and try some of these things. You will never conquer any task if you don't try

I don't think these would work because they are not 100% cotton,
when washed they will shrink differently.

Yes, that's another question I have....I think the throws in dept stores are polyester. What characteristics will polyester have if it's washed? I expect stretching to some extent. Is there any way to avoid that?

I was taught this method for the LA and it works: to load the minkee type fabrics with the stretch at the top and bottom - selvedges on the sides, this is the most forgiving way to load it.

I made a baby quilt with the minkee and washed it before gifting to remove any sizing on the fabrics. It came out beautifully.

I used one envelope style and tied and it worked great!

I have used minkee on the back of two children's quilts and without problems. I spray basted and stitched in the ditch for quilting.

I'm using minkee as backing (no batting) for a baby quilt right now. The center is a panel and along with adding several strips around it, I am sewing (zigzag) chenille yarn on the border lines of the panel. Initially I attached the backing to the quilt with spray adhesive. Everything is flat and I am having no problem with sewing the three simultaneously.

I am currently finishing up a combination cotton and minkee quilt that I put minkee on the back. I love the way minkee feels and looks. I HATE sewing with it. That said, those of you who've backed with the minkee, did you bind with it? How much trouble am I going to have with that?
Thanks!

I use the fleece as a backing frequently. No batting, pin like crazy but then only tack the quilt so it doesn't pucker.

Love the results!

I use the soft, minky type blankets from Costco. (Also picked some up at Targets midnight special) I can do the whole back of the quilt for under $30.00. I learned when I pin my quilts, pin a few extra (dont go overboard, just a few) and I dont take the pins out until after I have the binding on. I do ALL my quilts, from Lap to King this way and after the 2nd quilt I have not had a big problem. Good luck andbest part is the snuggling in the new blanket.

I have used a long arm on two quilts, throw size, with top and fleese backing, no middle layer. They were for local college teams and I had no problems, just basted around edges first. I think both of them will be used and see a lot of games.

with the minkee type fabric - smooth and pin with a few more pins than usual - SID from the center out N,S,E,W and then from center(ish) to corners......smooth as you go, over and over....the results are worth it, really cuddly quilt.

I have used fleece, no problems