I've used fleece as backing without any problem......Having said that......I still used a layer of batting and then the fleece. I tied the quilts. They are very warm and cuddly.

I have used fleece a few times now as the backing and I use just a simple diagonal pattern in the quilting mainly, although I have done free motion on it also. I'm not sure why but I didn't have too many problems. I do give it a reasonable stretch when I lay it out and I pin heavily. I use it on quilts that are really used, like kids quilts so these aren't displayed as much and seen bunched up on a knees or sniggled under. It is just so warm I feel it is worth the effort.

I've used fleece on MANY baby quilts. I use adhesive to baste it to the top, and I don't use a backing. I stitch in the ditch from the center out to 'set' the 4 quarters first. Then I work from the centers out in each of the quarters. I haven't had a problem with stretching.

JoanneS, Just wanted to say your picture reminds me of my favorite aunt Dorene who passed away 2 years ago. She was very loved, she loved to laugh, and she was great to talk to. Seeing your picture makes me smile. Thanks,
Jeanie

Jeanie - I'm glad I made you smile!

I've successfully used fleece as a batting, sandwiched between cotton fronts and backs. As battings go, it's expensive, but the end result is an incredibly warm quilt!

I have a commercial lap robe which is a woven heavier fabric like pants weight cotton and a minky type back. It is machine stitched about every 8 inches both vertically and horizontally. It is the warmest wrap I have. So for the person who was wanting something warm, using minky might work.

I listened to the owner of Malden Mills as he talked about fleece. When washing you should use powdered detergent not liquid as the liquid contains surfectants which reduce the breathability of fleece. Do not use fabric softener as this eventually will build up and make the fleece feel stiff. Use white vinegar instead for softening and reducing static. NEVER put it in the dryer, except on air dry. These "rules" are repeated by Nancy Crowell in her books on fleece garment sewing. When sewing fleece use a slightly longer stitch, on my machine, bump up from the usual 2.5 to 3.0. There is no need for "close together" quilting lines as the fleece will not bunch like batting. I make many charity quilts this way. I do not use batting, there is really no need as the fleece does it all.

[quote=mirish2]I listened to the owner of Malden Mills as he talked about fleece. When washing you should use powdered detergent not liquid as the liquid contains surfectants which reduce the breathability of fleece. Do not use fabric softener as this eventually will build up and make the fleece feel stiff. Use white vinegar instead for softening and reducing static. NEVER put it in the dryer, except on air dry. These "rules" are repeated by Nancy Crowell in her books on fleece garment sewing. When sewing fleece use a slightly longer stitch, on my machine, bump up from the usual 2.5 to 3.0. There is no need for "close together" quilting lines as the fleece will not bunch like batting. I make many charity quilts this way. I do not use batting, there is really no need as the fleece does it all
:?: :?: Thanks . How much white vinegar? Does the smell wash out? Why not the dryer? I have a few fleece throws that I have washed with liquid laundry detergent and fabic softener and dryed on warm and they all seem to do fine. My grandchildren use them as pallets on the floor so they get washed quite a lot. But.............they are the experts so guess I'll change my ways. Thanks for the info.

I fill my fabric softner dispenser with the vinegar. There is no smell on the washed items. I also use this method on towels in the summertime, keeps mustiness away.

:P Thanks, I don't have a softner dispenser on the washer I use. I do have one of the balls that I use w/Downey. I'll try putting the vineger in that and see how it goes. Hope the vinegar doesn't react with the plastic.

My machine dispensor is plastic and I have used vinegar for years. My Maytag washer and dryer are about 15 years old--had to get new ones when my others died at about 28 years of age. Just an FYI--fabric softener actually reduces the amount of moisture that towels can wick away, as it coats the fibers. Also, my repair guy says, fabric dryer sheets eventually coat the sensors in your dryer and cause it to overdry items.

I did a fleece backed quilt for a Christmas gift. I had someone pull the whole thing slowle and evenly from the sewed side as I sewed and it worked fine.

Thanks, everyone....I've decided definitely not to use the fleece for batting.

that is weird ...I use fleece on all my quilts. I spray baste ( reg. stuff from Joanns) the top to the batting then the top and batting to the polar fleece ( I use the 100% polyester batting.low loft it sticks well and is cheap and very warm) to the top and the fleece) and I have no trouble with sewing it together. I stitch in the ditch and there is no stretching I have even used very stretchy fuzzy backing and it turned out fine...could it be the batting?? the quilts were only 62 X 62" though .

I use 100% polyester batting low loft and I have absolutely no problem sewing the top and batting and fleece together. I lay the batting down and and spray the top half(it is only 60"X 60"). I then take the half folded top and lay it on the unsprayed part and carefully lift the top and spread it out over the sprayed batting if there is a wri kle lift it up and smooth it out...repeat for second half. Next I donthe same only have the fleece on the bottom and sparyit and put the top and batting on it as I did the top and batting. I have no wrinkles and it is easy to sew.I only do SITD.and it turns out perect every time.