fleece or minky for backing
 

I used fleece to back a throw quilt for my husband and now everyone wants me to use fleece on their quilts. But when I started researching fleece backings, instead of just doing it, I got confused. Do you prefer Minky or fleece? Why? Do you normally include batting? Why or why not? What type of Minky and/or fleece do you use for backing -anti-pill or double brushed? And all the types of Minky - Wow! - any preferences? Is embossed okay? My local JoAnn's does not carry Minky but claims their store brand is the same - agree/disagree? And finally I've found some good places to buy fleece but where is the best place to buy Minky? I shop online but live in the Baltimore/DC area, will be in Lancaster this Friday and the Seattle/ Portland area the end of the month. So online or local what is your favorite Minky source?

I use fleece all the time because I don't make anything bigger than a lap quilt. I prefer the anti-pill because I don't like the look of pilling. I often use batting because I like the weight and heftiness of the resulting quilt, but I've gone without. I've also found other fleece that was really thick and then skipped batting.

I like Minky, too, but I find it just a little bit harder to work with and it doesn't come in a 60" wide width. Also, some brands of it shed like crazy when you cut it, which is annoying. But it is so soft! I think the Joann's brand is fine.

I also use that really really soft fabric that you find in throws that are store purchased. I don't know what the name is, but at Joann's I think it's Soft N Comfy? Anyway, I've found prehemmed throws at Ross for under $10 that are 50"x60". I use those often as well.

I like working with fleece - I get the anti-pill kind and I use batting. I like the weight of it. Minky - I absolutely HATE working with it but I have a client that wants all of her blankets backed with Minky, so I use it. It's such a pain to work with and when you cut it, it goes everywhere. I've gotten the store brand at JoAnn's, as well as at my LQS when it's on sale, and I use batting on those blankets as well. Unfortunately, I can't give you any tips on buying online, as I have never done that.

I use fleece backing alot... I have never used Minky but have thought about it. I recently found picotextiles.com and I like them alot. They have lots of different patterns... but so far everything that I have bought had a 2 yard min cut (which was fine for my projects) I also really like Fabric.com. If you spend $35 there you get free shipping - and free is good... but then I just buy more :)

Great question, I have wondering the same. Would love to have a throw with either fleece or minky for the backing and have been wondering. Thanks for asking all these experienced quilters.

I've used Minky on 5 or 6 quilts so far -

it does come in some colors in 60" width (example: http://www.fabric.com/ProductDetail....7-62f5792a6a05)

and I've used different piles, designs, embossings - no problems with any of them. They suck the quilting design in and it is awesome looking! I have bought both online (from fabric.com) and from my LQS and I can't tell you any difference in the quality. I have pieced the back to have it larger and again no issues. I had read somewhere there there is a lesser grade minky that some bigger stores carry. I can't address that tho. Maybe someone else has that experience?

I've not used Fleece so I can't do a comparison for you.

I do include batting - never even gave it a thought of not including...

One tip about using Minky - cut it and take it outside and shake the fire out of it to get the loose threads and shedding off of it.

Try one - people seem to LOVE the Minky!

I've made three fleece-backed quilts - a wheelchair size, a lap quilt and now a bed quilt. I love working with fleece, it sews beautifully and doesn't stretch during quilting. Glue-basting works well on it.

I used batting on one of the quilts, for extra warmth, but I'm not sure it's really needed. The fleece is so cuddly and warm. I only hope that it will keep its qualities over the years. I can't say anything about minky because it isn't sold here.

I used two of these I got at Kroger for about $5-6 on two throws for Christmas and they seem to be fine. I had a red one that I washed with some white "dot" minky in warm/hot water and the red tinted the white! Don't know how long the tint will stay but it went well with the Fairy throw! The "minky" I have I think I got at JA's a couple of years ago....the dot pattern, and it didn't shed at all when cut. Nice and soft even without pile.

I prefer fleece. If the quilt top is from flannel fabrics, I do not use a batting. I have made several...they are favorites because they are soft and cuddly. I would not use minkee for a full size quilt...for one thing, the cost would prohibitive. I only use minkee to back baby quilts.

I have used fleece in a QAUG string quilt, I did use batting scraps I made this into a lap quilt it is so warm and cuddly I will make more of theses

I have used fleece only once and did not care for it. However have used minky on about 20 quilts. I love it!!
It does come in 60" widths and there is definitely a difference in quality. I usually buy at local fabric store but also have bought at fabric.com. a few time I bought the cheaper stuff, once I ruined my quilt because the color ran, and another time I discarded a piece because it did not feel good compared to the others in my pile. So just be cautious when buying lower quality.

I usually do put some kind of batting. I usually use warm and white but have also used flanalette when making baby quilts. I like something in them though.

I have used pins, lots of them!! but now usually use spray basting, I love it, and never have any issues with stretching or puckers. I also ALWAYS use a walking foot. however I can't FMQ so don't know if that might work for you.

i've used both many times- the minkee on the back of my queen sized quilt is so soft and FABULOUS! I made that one- then my granddaugters decided they really wanted new quilts with minkee on them- so they all 3 got new quilts with minkee- it is so wonderfully soft---(the girls call them 'get naked blankets'--they love wrapping in them right out of the shower)
I've use fleece numerous times too- i like fleece for utility warm quilts- it wears very well, and is oh so warm.
i do use batting (most of the time) i have made a couple without batting- but that was 'by request'
i like the 'loftiness' of the added batting-
i use good quality- double sided fleece- and all kinds of different minkee's- the minkee is so soft...
i don't know why one person said to only use it for baby quilts- i've used it on numerous queens, and 2 kings.
i do take it outside and shake the heck out of it to get rid of the cut edge flaking---once that is taken care of it['s great to work with.

Thanks so much for all the information. Did some online research today looking for 6 yards of pink minky dot fabric. Here's how it priced out on different sites - per yard is usually without coupons but total is with coupons I searched online to find and includes shipping.
Picotextiles $68.65 ($9.95/yd) just dimple dot, 60” $5 off coupon
Fabric.com $70 ($12.98/yd) lots, 60” – prices vary $9.98 to $19.98 10% off coupon + free shipping
JoAnn.com $63.89 ($14.99/yd) just soft & comfy dot, not Minky, 58” – reviews mixed, more negative recently 40% off coupon
Theminkyboutique.com $83.38 amazing selection, ($11.68/yd with 16% over 5 yd discount)
Threadart.com $67.45 ($9.95/yd) free shipping if over $99 limited selection 10% discount coupon
Even though they are higher than the rest, I may go with The Minky Boutique just because they had an awesome selection - 53 colors of minky dot as well as numerous prints and embossed styles. Their shipping was high but if I visit my relatives in North Carolina I could pick up for free.

I have used Minky...with no batting...the quilt was heavy enough...glad that it wasn't any larger than the lapsize that it was as it was heavy to be quilting on. I just did a large meander, nothing too difficult. I love the quilt, very cuddly, but probably won't use it again.

I don't think I would work with Minky - it is too stretchy and could get out of control quickly. Same with fleece - I probably would consider working with flannel though.

I've not used minky but I use fleece all the time.
So far I have not used batting with it, but it gives a very flat quilt and if you want more puffiness, then batting would be good.

I love Minkee! Have made several quilts with Minkee, fleece or flannel for the backing. Never had a problem with stretching because I use 505 spray basting. Does not shift at all when spray basted. I always wash my minkee, fleece and flannel first (flannel more than once). Clean out the lint filter halfway through drying and also at the end. I'm so glad I do this because one fabric that I thought was a minkee clone that I bought from Joann's looked incredibly awful after it was washed. Had clumps all over it.

Here's one that I did with black Minkee and black flannel in place of batting. I did the majority of the quilting with just the top and the flannel/batting. Then I placed the cotton pieced top/flannel batting on top of the minkee and did some stitch in the ditch around the center panel and one of the borders.

Here's how it turned out: http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...t-t218264.html

I measured the back so that I could make the top just a few inches less on the sides so I would not have to piece the minkee. I have pieced it before on other quilts and always did a 1/2 inch seam and spray basted the seam flat.

p.s. All the ones I have backed with minkee have really held up well. That minkee is very durable.

We have a store which sells Chinese pre-cut unhemmed very thin fleece throws for about 1.50$ apiece,it only comes in white; I usually buy 5-10 at a time and use these for anything and everything: batting, backing, to stabilize applique etc. Perfect for table runners as it's thin, batting for instance potholders as I sandwhich small batting scraps berween two layers (this stuff clings beautifully), quickie baby blankets and so on. For these prices I will invent more ways to use the stuff!

I was at Joanne's today to buy minky for the back of the quilt I am making for my DGS. I ended up not buying any because I didn't think it was as soft as I thought.
I have been looking on the internet and have a question. What company or companies make the "real" minky? If it is called "minky" is it the good quality fabric?
Where is a good place to buy it on the net?
Thanks.

i have made several quilts using fleece. i do not use batting as the fleece seems to be warm enough. i even figured out a way to use the fleece to come around the front of the quilt making mitered corners with a hem all around the quilt. i just tie my quilts. they come out beautiful.