Can I use this to back a quilt?
 

I'm doing a quilt as a Christmas gift for my god-daughter (11). I was originally planning for "normal" batting and backing, but now I came across this wonderful blanket for a bargain. Sorry, I have no idea what that kind of fabric is called, it is very soft and cuddly and looks the same on back and front (it's not fleece):

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Do you think I could use this for batting and backing? (if not the blanket will go on my own bed! :o)

you should be able too. It looks like a soft and comfy type fabric. as long as it is just one layer it should be fine.

Looks to be a micro-fiber blanket. They are wonderfully warm and cozy! I would not use batting, but just the quilt top and the blanket, quilt both layers and bind! (Unless you hijack it for your bed, lol!)

micro-fiber blanket - that could be what this is called! Yes, I was thinking of not using additional batting but just this. If that works, it will make that quilt very soft on the back! I've just never quilted anything like this. I guess straight line quilting is probably better than trying FMQ, or would that work?

I would just wash it first in case it bleeds or shrinks a lot. Then use it!

I love these! I have a deep red one that I wanted to bleed and washed it with some white minky...it tinted the minky pink and I used that on another small quilt. Got brown ones and used them as backs on lap quilts for DS and DSIL. They were very inexpensive at Kroger's.

I really don't think you would be very happy with the finished quilt. I have a friend that used minky to back a baby quilt and I helped her with the binding and that was not a fun task.

This makes a very soft and cozy quilt back. I ended up tying mine. I tried quilting scraps first and it was a puckery mess.

That's a good idea to try out on some scraps. Then I'll see if quilting it works or not.

I've never tied any quilt (is it still a "quilt" then? :rolleyes:).

I just think it would be so wonderfully soft and cuddly if I could use this blanket... But if not, at least I know she'll love the fabric I bought originally for the backing (she loves elephants!).

I would think it would be well nigh impossible to do nicely on a home machine.

Don't be scared away from machine quilting with the blanket....it does work! Because the fabric in the blanket is a bit stretchy, you will want to use a good basting spray to secure the blanket to the top....this keeps the blanket from stretching or shifting and you will get no puckers/pleats. Straight line quilting with a walking foot is quick and easy. FMQ is a bit more difficult, but can be done. Whatever quilting method you choose, it won't show much on the backside. Be sure to prewash the blanket, as they do have a tendency to bleed. I had one that bled in the wash for the first dozen times I washed it! That one was used on a scrap/utility quilt and washed with color catchers.

There is no 'reason' not to use Soft and Comfy for your backing. You will run into a problem with actually quilting it. There is a wicked horizontal stretch. Even with a walking foot, it will stretch as you are quilting it. I have found it necessary to baste my sandwiched blanket and also pin each line of quilting individual. Do your vertical stitching first and start all designs in the middle and work out. Looser longer stitches help too. It is very tricky. If you take your time and have boat loads of patience, it's a wonderful finished project.

I've never used basting spray, as my quilts get donated to Project Linus, and the added product is frowned upon - however, I think I will try Buckeye Rose's suggestion.

I had a microfiber blanket that over time fell apart - made fluff messes (3years or so)...washed it a few times and always dried it. Personally I wouldn't use it for a batting/backing if I wanted the quilt to be around any amount of time.

And toss it into a dryer to see how it reacts at least on low heat.

No reason why you can't use it if you want ... remember it is your quilt! :)

I used fleece for the backing on this quilt, and shared some how-to notes in posts #1 and #17.
You may find the same "issues" with the microfibre as I did when quilting with fleece.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...g-t239508.html

So, go ahead and finish that quilt ... and soon you can show it to us, all finished!

I think it will work fine. I spray baste my fleece or minky backing with 505 basting spray (or whatever brand you have) to the quilt front & then FMQ. If you spray baste the layers don't shift at all.

I used one to back a quilt. Haven't put the binding on yet, but fmq was a easy. I think it actually slid easier on the machine than cotton fabric does. I'm definitely going to do more quilts with micro-fiber blanket backing.

Yes, it's still a quilt! The Quilt Police will just have to tough it out. It's your quilt, so do what floats your boat.

I found a blanket at Savers to try using for batting and backing for a quilt I made a granddaughter that lives in cold Pennsylvania. I washed it numerous times and it quilted beautifully. It is her favorite quilt!

I too have used fleece for the back of some of my quilts. I have also used old blankets that were in great shape. They all came out looking beautiful.

I was going to add for those of you near a Costco, they have king, queen and twin sized microfiber blankets selling between $17 and $22. These would make marvelous quilt backs. I bought one (king) to use on my bed and the quality is wonderful. The sizing is generous, as well.

Love the bright color and soft look.

Is it stretchy? If so, you may want to pin, or baste much closer than usual.

I would use it for sure! I was given a hint that will help with minky, use 505 or something similar to spray the minky so that the fabric does not slip around. Also pin alot! with these two hints I think using minky will be a lot more fun experience!

If its minky it will be fine for backing.

It will not shrink.

Use batting. It will have a better drape.<object type="cosymantecnisbfw" cotype="cs" id="SILOBFWOBJECTID" style="width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block;"></object>

I use minky and ultra cuddle all the time for backs of quilts. I also use batting. MN is cold in winter, but my dad uses the throw I made him year round. I would also recommend basting spray. as it can be a challenge for fmq. If you fmq, you'll also notice a lot more drag than with a cotton back. It's not impossible, just something to be aware of. as you will want to take frequent breaks in order to rest your arms and shoulders.

I was wondering the same thing, only with Minky on the back. Would that work on a long arm?

I spoke to this issue in post #15 in this thread ... you might want to take a look!

The same thing happened to me and I don't think I'll ever buy a microfiber thing again.

I use minky in my quilt backs and it quilts fine. However I find the 505 doesn't work real good in the minky so I have to pin it some too. Or tie it. I have quilts I tied way before machine quilting came to be and they are still going. I gave heard that tieing is on the comeback.

there are many types of backings you can use. I promise the quilt police will not come to your house!! The only caution I would give is sewing any blanketty/fleecey fabric can be a bit tricky. It like to move all over the place. I am not one who likes to pin things - but with this kind of fabric, I super pin!

I have done many quilts with a pieced cotton top, warm and natural batting, and that same type of microfibre backing. I basted them using 505 spray, and straight line stitching using a walking foot and they came out beautifully. I would not hesitate to use it myself.

I've found microfiber plays nicely with a cotton quilt top. The top gives it the nice body. You can quilt quite heavily and it will still be super soft. Use a ball point needle-it helps slide in between the stretchy fibers of the backing.

Wow. That looks so soft.

So many wonderful tips. I should do as suggested pre wash to check for colour fastness and shrinkage. Then use a spray glue and pin if you feel it is necessary. Then go for it with a larger than normal stitch, ball point needle and walking foot.sew rows different directions to stop drag all one way.
With the quilt out of the machine at different times, ie end of row clean out the bobbin and all over feed dogs etc with a small paint brush. This will stop lint build up which maybe very heavy with this fabric.

You use just do/use whatever your little heart tells you!!

Thanks to all for your replies! I wasn't so much concerned about the quilting police... I know I can do whatever I want with my quilts. The question was therefore not "is it allowed" but rather "is it doable". And some of you prove that it is and gave me some helpful hints on what to watch out for. I'm going to give it a try! Thanks again!

I've quilted both minky and this type of blanket on a longarm without any difficulty. They are both stretchy and have to be handled with care. Sorry I don't know anything about quilting these fabrics on a domestic machine though.

These backings make very comfy quilts!

Nancy