I'm thinking about making a flannel quilt for myself -- when I'm sitting on the couch watching TV or reading, I love to snuggle under a warm blankie...but my current blankie is getting a little worn out and sad looking.

Any tips or suggestions for a still-newbie quilter? I'd love to see some pictures if anyone else has done this...

Always, always pre-wash flannel. Even if you don't normally pre-wash, they shrink and at different rates.
I would suggest no tiny pieces or not a lot of triangles that the seams all meet, it would be to thick with a lot of seams coming together.
Flannels make great rag quilts, I have also done a couple in Yellow Brick Road, and have used several other patterns that don't have tiny pieces.
They're not hard!
Have fun!

I don't normally prewash fabric, but I do prewash and dry flannel -- twice! It can shrink an enormous amount.

My favorite approach, after shrinking the flannel, is to starch it before cutting so it doesn't move around or stretch with handling. To do this I mix a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid starch and water, "paint" it on the fabric with a large housepainting brush, throw the saturated fabric in the dryer, and iron with steam. Cuts are very accurate after it has been starched in this way.

I also use 1/2-inch seams with flannel rather than 1/4-inch to accommodate any fraying on the cut edges.

Great idea on the starch. Thanks. Has anyone tried using a serger on flannel instead? I like to use it when I sew denim quilts.

An easy pattern would be a large squares (8-10") different designs but set with a lattice of a solid or neutral color. Then back with flannel for more snugglies :lol:

I did a "warm wishes" quilt out of flannel. It is very soft and yummy, although, at 5 yrs old now, the seams are fraying and I'll have to make another one soon.

You all have great information to offer. If you want easy, like I did, just use a flannel backing :shock: :oops: :twisted: Last year, I made a Turning Twenty with batting and flannel backing and I still love it. I don't want to deal with the frustration of fraying unless I want to do a rag quilt. Who says I'm lazy? LOL

If I can find my pictures I will show you some I made.

The only time I have used flannel is to make a rag quilt and I never prewash for that. maybe I use that pattern the most because I am lazy :roll: LOL But they are fast and easy :wink:

I made this quilt for my DS for last Christmas. I washed all the flannel about 3 times and dried each time. I didn't add batting as I felt that would be too hot for him.

I use to or three layers of flannel and do a raggy quilt, if I'm going to use flannel. I just made one in the "Take Five" pattern, and then did some machine quilting with my embroidery unit on the large blocks. It's VERY cozy!

I did a turning 20 in flannels and it just fits my twin bed nicely. It keeps me toasty warm up here in Canada and I am thankful for the fabrics which were a gift from my quilting mentor. I bought chocolate coloured flannel for the backing so I can enjoy it either way. There is a picture of it on my blog at http://chocoholichill.spaces.live.com/default.aspx

Hi
If you are thinking about making a flannel quilt and are new to quilting, try making a rag quilt. They are so easy and everyone loves them.
Donna

I LOVE flannel quilts I really suggest a rag quilt if you are a newbie like myself. :-)

I tried to add pictures but they didn't come through, don't know what I did wrong. Sorry

Alway's prewash your flannel on perm. press and dry the same. Iron before cutting being careful not to strech fabric. It will shrink considerably, so make sure you have extra fabric cut for good measure.

I used the Turning Twenty pattern.

Just make a patchwork quilt, 6 or 61/2 squares sew tog. lay the blocks on the floor, so many across than so many down until you have what you like easy to make I have one for the winter nice and cozy made 1 for my husband also so he wouldn't take mine lol Flannel backing nice

Why use flannel when fleece is warmer. For Xmas this year I am making No Sew fleece blanket. Since fleece is 54 wide Just but equal lengths of the same fleece or different ones, even them off and fringe it. I got the pattern on about.com under Collectibles and at Joanns Fabric they had fleece in all types of pattern :?

I'm not convinced fleece is warmer than flannel. Fleece is a single layer of polyester (albeit a thick layer!), whereas a flannel quilt will usually have 3 layers of cotton. If I think of wrapping up in a cozy, warm quilt to watch tv, the flannel will appeal to me more than the fleece --- maybe because the flannel is more flexible and will confom to my curves more closely? :P

What is the name of this pattern? I LOVE this quilt!

Hohenfelslady

Hi - here is a picture of flannel squares and half triangle squares set up in X-mas tree pattern - sorry, don't have a picture of it all put together. sewed together as a rag quilt but can easily be done as a regular quilt!

Terri

I love the Turning Twenty patterns! I have flannel FQs that I'm planning on making into a quilt for my nephew in return for some things he has done and made for me. It has been suggested to me NOT to prewash the FQs because they will not then yield the necessary size for cutting the pieces. When this quilt is sewn and quilted, I will present it to my nephew with instructions to wash in cold water and line dry (in the shade, of course!) Hopefully, this will prevent too much shrinking. Also, since he is a tall young man, I will be using 30 FQs and doing a 5 x 6 set, and also add borders.

Here is mine. But mine is for the bed

Maxine, Your quilt is lovely!!! What pattern did you use?

i made this for my dh for his bday. its flannel in front, fleece in back
I sew love working with fleece & flannel. I love making baby blankets & also use for backs of my blankets

I just had to say what a great question, that brought many awesome, fast patterns for Christmas laps...thank you EVERYBODY! :D