I use old flannel sheets whenever possible. Get mine at local thrift shops

I have a old quilt and it ended up with a hole in it and as I looked real close, there was no batting they used some old drapes. It worked though, kept a person warm.

That is such an awesome idea! You guys rock and roll! I want to make some quilts for my daughter to send to their missionary in India taking care of children whose parents were murdered in front of them for their faith...an untold story..and they have nothing! So Thankyou! They will have body but not to heavy!! Awesome answer!

I use many blankets or flannel in my quilts. My kids like the heavyness of them.

The last quilt I made had a goodwill flannel sheet used as batting.... Looks great! Feels great!

what did you back it with?

I use flannel alot!
And, I don't even have a fancy shmancy quilting machine to get the job done. They quilt up great.
of course, I am not making a quilt art quilt, so the quilting is very large and loose.
However! If you choose to handquilt, I don't know if the flannel is as easy to quilt through, which might make a difference for you.
Tip: If you are using pieces for your batting, straighten the edges, butt them up against each other, and rather than zigzagging them together, use lightweight fusible webbing to hold them together - - you will get a flatter joint and more stable also. I usually cut my fusible into 1 inch widths to accomplish the task <wave>

When I first began quilting, I only used flannel sheet for a batting. They were very flat, not as hot as regular (family all in the south), and added strength to prevent stretching due to any bias piecing. However, it is critical to pre shrink. Flannel shrinks much more than other cottons we use for sewing.

I use flannel sheets and old blankets as batting, my friend just gave me several yards of wool and I just made a quilt and used that as the batting as well, I was going to use it as the backing but it was to itchy.

I use flannel a lot for batting in my quilts. Love the way it feels. It is easy to quilt. When I find a good deal I buy 10-12 yds.

Yep , I've used wool blankets from the thrift store and washed and dried hot. Never was told there was a problem and were really warm quilts for the northerners that rec'd them !! Will try flannel soon too ! Thanks !

I have an antique quilt with that -- it works really great when you just plan to tie the quilt; don't know about hand quilting through it, but simple machine quilting ought to work.

LOL ... pre-washing! Good point! I only used USED flannel sheets (God watches out for children and fools, eh?)
VERY good point! <wave>

As Miss Tutty mentioned, that is going to be a REALLY warm quilt!
I grew an appreciation for wool last winter when hubby was especially cold in our Sleep Number bed? I had purchased an Army blanket from a military surplus store for, I think, $20. I put it down on the mattress under the sheet, and MAN! I hadn't realized that I was really cold at night, too!
It made a world of difference ... a very delicious warm <wave>

another wonderfull idea in recycling.....thank you

Hey Rita, I would love to see your quilt, I am thinking of doing a tumbling block quilt this winter, and would love to see a picture of yours, I too like flannel where you don't want bulk if feels great. Looking forward to your picture,
best wishes,
Another Rita

I have used flannel for years for batting in tablerunners and placemats. it works great as it doesn't have the bounce that polyester batting has (lays flatter and is quite stable). Just remember that the quilt will feel different with the flannel sheeet rather than batting.

Yes, using flannel for batting. I used it once, many
years ago. But, it may be a little heavier. It's your
choice.

For anyone who wants to try this, shop the Goodwill, Salvation Army stores, St Vincent DePaul stores, Value Village, Deseret Industries. You can quite often get a flannel shett, sometimes never used for just a couple of dollars. Another thing that works great if you are typing is the old style mattress pads. My friend and I used many of those in charity quilts.

I just purchased my first table runner kit and I was wondering what to use for filler....thanks for the flannel tip! Donna

what do you use to back these flannel lined quilts?

I have used flannel and love the weight and feel.

I had acquired some sweatshirt knit fabric some time ago and decided recently to use it to back some charity quilts. I didn't use a batting at all, just the top and sweatshirt knit for the backing. I loved it!

A caution here, make sure you don't stretch the backing too much if it is knit. Just heard a nightmare story about fleese on the back of a quilt, the gal wanted it longarmed. What a disaster

I think I will do the same. Headed to the goodwill today! It sure sounds like it will be easier to fit under my machine!!
Thanks!!

One trick I employ is using old electric blankets. You can usually get them on the cheap at thrift stores. They're made of such warm material. You can strip the wires out and use it for your batting AND your backing. Kill two birds with one stone. I've done it a few times. Those are the warmest ones of all.

I just love this whole "thread" with the recycle reuse aspect, I am going to use lots of these ideas, and seems to me it will allow me more quilting because it will be lots easier on the pocketbook.
Thanks for the ideas, Rita

FLANNEL!!! LOL <wave>

Can you explain to me about the old style mattress pads? What makes them more useful than current mattress pads? <wave>

My top sheets last much longer than the bottom, so I have been using them as batting for the 'summer' quilts for the porch. They are already pre-shrunk as well!

Thanks so much for this thread. I have 3 kids quilts to finish for Christmas, the tops are done & I'm onto the dreaded next step but the cost of batting right now, considering I still have shopping to do (for 7!), was really on my mind. I also have to get backing fabric for 2 of them. Just had an ah-ha moment :idea: about the big shelf full of stray sheets I found in boyfriends linen closet when I moved in. There should be some suitable in there and one of the goodwills in town has a great selection (as I found out when I came home with 3 afghans one day, lol). I can finish the quilts for little to no $ and the lighter weight will be good for their climate. Also less stress & strain on my arms & hands wrestling them through the machine (last donation quilt almost laid me up).

In the summer my DH complains quilts are too warm. I made one with just a flannel back, works perfect as a summer quilt.

For me the flannel IS the backing.

I don't see why it wouldn't work. My granny used an old blanket for batting in the tie quilt she made for my parents.

I have gotten some brand new flannel sheets at thrift stores, King size for $3. Can't beat it.