I live in FL. and would like to make my quilts very light in weight. Is flannel an okay fabric to use in place of batting?

Lois

Hi Lois, I'm making my granddaughter a quilt for Christmas and I'm using flannel instead of batting so it will be lightweight. This is the first time I've used flannel instead of batting. I hope it works out okay. :D

Sure it is fine to use flannel. Some folks use no batting in their summer quilts. It is up to you. There really is no right or wrong, nor are there any 'quilt police'. If you find any 'quilt police', I will disavow any and all knowledge. :D

I made a wool quilt from recycled wool cut into different size rectangles and used plaid flannel for the back. I didn't use any batting. It's a nice light weight quilt.

Donna

If you use flannel for the batting, be SURE you wash it first. Maybe even wash it twice and put it in the dryer. Flannel will shrink quite a lot and you don't want it to happen after it is in your quilt.
Judith

Flannel works fine.. I have used flannel as batting for a number of quilts... I even used flannel sheets! I have a friend who uses old blankets for her batting. There really is no right or wrong.

Also.. I made an Easter quilt last Spring and used no batting, but flannel for the back.. it worked fine.

Barb

Yes, use flannel! Pre-wash & dry warm for shrinkage and you're all set. You'll get a nice flat look and won't have to worry about batting bunching up & shifting when the quilt's washed...a real plus! Cotton and poly blends often need lots of quilting, sometimes very close to prevent shifting. Flannel's a wonderful choice, especially for warm climates.

I have never had a problem with batting bunching or shifting. I think that comes from not quilting close enough. Most batting tells you how much unquilted space you can leave. Barb C

Hello to all. I am a newbie to this quilting and have been looking for a place to get some really good answers. It seems like I found it. I am making 2 lap quilts for christmas gifts and don't have much time. I was at the fabric store this morning and since I live in Texas I did not want them to be heavy. I asked them about using flannel and they thought I was nuts. I bought it any way and I guess my real question is if I wash and dry it several times should I also wash the main fabrics to? :?

There are debates over prewashng and not prewashing your fabrics. I always prewash. I want it to preshrink and I also want any excess dye to wash out. That said I know many who don't prewash. So it really is up to the quilter.

About flannel... I have used it many times in quilts (I live in Mississippi) and I only prewash it once. Barb C

I think pre-washing it ALL would be best, but that is just my opinion. :)

Hi I too live in Fla. I use flanel sheets all the time. I like the "puffy" look o hand quilting so I do not wash until after it is compleated. I use a product by Shout called color grabber to wash with and I have not had a problem with dye running sence I started using it, not even red,purple of black.

I have backed a couple of my quilts with fleece and no batting. Just a light weight quiltie but is probably too warm for Florida.

I don't always pre-wash my fabrics but I do use the dye catchers when I do. The one color fabric I always check though is RED! I wonder why when red was the first embroidery floss (redwork) to hold it's dye? (I read that somewhere) Seems like they could fix that with all our modern day advances! (I'm talking high quality fabric as well as the cheaper varieties)

You can use salt in cold water to set dye I use this in levi's to keep the color from fading. Anita

Yep! That's an old remedy my mother always used. That and something with vinegar. According to Good Housekeeping magazine this doesn't work. Well, maybe not but I still think it's worth trying. Thanks for the reminder.

I have used salt and vinagir in the past,but find the color grabbers are better if you have several new farbrics and they are all different colors. The salt will set color, but not keep it out of hte wash water and I never wash quilt frabic befor using. I like the effect you get when the batting shrinks and the frabics "puff". I think all of us have a different way of doing tha suits the sewer and that is what makes our quilts "ours" and not factory produce.
Now I have a question. I have several children who are wanting me to teach them to sew. 1 boy and 3 girls so far, all my grands. Does anyone know of any good books aimed at very young sewers? they are all 8( it was a very busy year in my family) I enjoy the forum and all the infomation I a have gotten by reading and chatting.

I use the "Teach me to Sew" books by Mulligan and Smith. They have pages you can copy and let the kids actually sew on the paper without thread to learn steering. The books also have some fun projects, but I also start them on pillow cases. That way they can actually sleep on the fruits of their labors that same night.
For each pillow case you need:
3/4 yard of main fabric
2 inches of accent fabric
1/4 yard of flap part
Allowing the kids to chose own fabric is part of the fun. I also start them with no thread and lined looseleaf paper. They need to be able to follow lines to get a feel for how the machine works. I have found that little boys just step on the gas and go for it. The girls take more care and are a bit cautious. The books I mentioned also have mazes and games. This gives them confidence with forward, backwards, turning etc.

sounds perfect. I started them on decrative pillows and and one is just finishing her 1st quilt, 9 nine-patches. I need more direction on how to structure the lessions so I am building blocks instead of haparzid, I am global and lenier thinking is soooooooooooooo difficult for me. I cannot spell either . lol Quiltnurse

I use the salt and cold water, too! Even red holds it's color so well. My husband won't wear new jeans until I was them at least twice in salt water. He doesn't know it's salt water, he thinks I'm magic in keeping new denim from fading on him...

As for flannel for batting, love it love it. I often use flannel to back my fleece blankets, too. I made a friend of mine, living in Tampa, a quilt for her 89th birthday this past fall. I quilted with flannel, she tells me it's perfect weight on her. She's a sewing expert for the last 85 years. I only have 48 years in it.

When I do baby quilts...I often use a knit cotton for the backing, it cleans up easily from baby spills and lasts forever.

Happy New year, everyone! After reading this thread I'm thinking that flannel would be good for other things as well. I'm making table runners and I'm thinking of using flannel for those, either as the batting layer or just lining the runners with flannel. They would not be as thick which I can see as an advantage when things are put on top of them. A lot easier to quilt too.

Judyjo

Hi, I am very new to quilting and I am almost finish with my first one. I think I am going to use flannel as my batting. It seems easier to work with. Thanks to all the veteran quilters out there.

I always use white vinegar (about 1/2 cup) and cold water when prewashing any new colored fabric, no matter what color it is. I haven't had a problem yet.

Carole

I have used flannel in a coat instead of batting. I made The Storm at Sea
quilt for our son who lives in Florida, and I used thinsulate batting. He uses the quilt all year long.

Flannel is also wonderful for using on table runners. It helps make them
lay nice and flat. It also washes up nice too.

Ok I keep reading about using flannel but I am confused. When I think of flannel I think of like flannel shirts. But when I go to the fabric store the flannel they have usually has childrens designs on it and can some times be expensive.
I am making my sister Strawberry Placemats and it sounds like the flannel would be a good idea for a backing. If I did that would I still put batting in between or just the top and the back? Also I was going to buy a nice green small dot for the backing so I could fold it over for the backing, if I use the flannel for the back could I still buy some green polka dot to use for the binding?
If I use flannel in between on a quilt do you get something pretty or just find some ugly print off the bargain shelf?
I know these are stupid questions, I'm not real sure about fabric, the gals at my fabric store are really nice but of course they are trying to make a profit.
Thanks for all your help.
Betsy :D

Hi try a quilt shop for more varity of flannel, they usually have solids as well as prints. also try on line if yu cannnot find any thing where you live, or your shop may be willing to order something for you.Always use the best fabrics you can afford. Why make something and not have it last. and the results are much more satisfying . good frabic speeks for itself when you look at a compleated project.I go on line and buy flannel sheets usually landsend or Pennys, it is a great bargan for qulaity frabic.All the questions yu asked are good ones, how do you learn? and that is what lines like this are for. good luck

Betsy,
No question is stupid!!! Asking questions is how most of us have learned-please, don't be afraid to ask questions. Plus the rest us can learn something new from others questions.
I have found solid colored flannel at WalMart, Hancock Fabrics and Hobby Lobby especially at this time of year. You could probably use printed flannel as long as it didn't show through the top or backing fabric. If the top and/or backing are a solid, then you would probably not want to use a printed flannel. I usually buy solid flannel then I don't worry about "show-thru" just if the color itself shows.
I have used flannel for pieced tops,as backings and as a batting.
For a lighter weight "batting" I have used a "fleece" batting- it is NOT the fleece that sweatshirts or throws/blankets are made of. I have found it where the interfacing materials are displayed.
As far as the binding, I don't think it matters that the fabric is not flannel. In fact, "regular" fabric might wear better. I've been taught to cut binding double the finished width, fold in 1/2 (long raw edge to long raw edge), press,then sew along the raw edges to attach it to the project "sandwich".
I'm sorry this is a long reply but I hope I've helped & not confused you. :)

I prewash all fabric that I know will be washed again later (ie lap quilts, bed quilts, etc.) But if it's a wall hanging for decorative purposes or something of the like, I don't necessarily prewash that fabric.

Thank you guys so much. And no you didn't confuse me. I guess I just need to dig a little more and see what I can find.
Also thanks for the info about the fleece batting...I thought again they were talking about the kind that you make blankets and stuff out of. I will look for the other kind next time I am at the store.
Betsy

Betsy...I have seen flannel in solid colors (pastels) in Joann's fabrics. I don't know if you have a Joann's near you. When you do find it buy a large amount so you'll have it. This time of year you're apt to find it on sale.

Judyjo

Ok, I have been looking online at flannel stuff to see where I can find the best price. They have something called Shirting Flannel. What is this and is it different from just plain ole flannel? Can I use this for backing or batting?
Thanks for all your help!
Betsy

that probably refers to the design I think, as in it would look good for shirts
kathy

Kathy I too am hoping for the lottery but I think you have to play to win lol.quiltnurse

It's okay to use flannel as a "batting," but be sure to wash it first to shrink it as much as possible.

My favorite backing for lap quilts is fleece. Doesn't shrink, and you don't need a middle batting. They are very lightweight and warm.

Shirting flannel is generally lighter weight than regular flannel.

I love flannel for batting in light weight quilts for Summer use.
Just switched one out for a heavier quilt. I, also, use flannel for
batting and backing all in one layer for table toppers.

I use flannel as a batting and a backing many times, it works really well especially in baby quilts, they are so soft and cuddly. You also don't have to worry about how close you quilt as the flannel does not shift.

Sorry, I was not aware that all of the posts from current back to who knows when are now listed.

I have used flannel and muslin for a light weight batting. I pre -wash/shrink both particularly the flannel ( sooo. much shrinkage). I also like to use flannel for a backing when doing a lap quilt for a senior , it keeps it from sliding off their lap so easily.