I know this topic has probably been covered before, but I am heading out to LQS in 3hours and wanted a quick answer. I know with the experience of the quilters on this board, someone can help.

My daughter has decided that she wants me to use fleece for her quilt backing instead of the flannel I had picked up. Has anyone used fleece for backing? And if you have......how do you go about quilting, can a longarm quilting still quilt or will it stretch to much? Also.....if you fleece, do you still use batting? My thought was to have it quilted with just a muslim backing and then somehow attach the fleece after it was quilted. Does this make sense? Thank you in advance for everyone's help! You guys are the best and I'm getting so I rely on this board for everything:)

I haven"t used it, but many here have, and I think they say it works just fine, but most don't use extra batting. That would be awful heavy. I'm sure someone wiith experience will pop in here soon, and I will watch again for their answers. But, judst in case, you have my thoughts.

I've made 5 or 6 quilts with fleece backing. I didn't know any difference when I started quilting. Some I just stitched in the ditch and then I did some hooping each block and making a design with my embroidery machine. I did not have problems with stretching. They all turned out so soft and cuddly. So easy to throw in the washer and dryer. Then a friend tried it. What a mess. I am not a quilting perfectionist, and they turned out wonderful. Try it. You will either like it or not.

Lori, after reading previous posts here about fleece for backing I wanted to experiment with it. This weekend I quilted on Long Arm, meander without batting and so far so good. I'm anxious to bind and wash without fabric softener and see how I like it. I will keep you posted and send you a picture of the completed project. Kathy

I think what I'll plan on doing is picking up the fleece when I'm out shopping today. I've already got 7yds of flannel to add to my stash (which is what I intended on using) so what the heck.....let's add 7yds of fleece to the stash too! I'll keep checking here to see what advice everyone has.

I used fleece to back a small quilt for my toddler grandaughter. I did not use any batting. I quilted it myself just doing a SID. It turned okay but I would never do it for a big quilt. Why not ask a LAQ about how it would do on a long arm? It would be interesting to know what a LAQ would say about that.

I've got a message out to Candlequilter who is in my IRR group and I know she has a lot of experience. I don't plan on hand quilting this myself or attempting to machine quilt the project. It's my daughter's quilt and now that the quilt top is done......I want to be done too :)

I've done one panel quilt that I just outlined the construction machines and the road and the borders, then folded the fleece over for binding. It was my first attempt at machine quilting and I think it came out fine. DGS loves it and that's what counts anyway!

I'm now working on another slightly larger one that I'm doing SID by hand and it is doing great.

The other two I'm working on I had to piece the fleece to make it large enough for the top. The one that was a plaid fleece I'm having an issue with the printed plaid not matching up where I'm piecing it. The one that is just solid black went together without any problems. I just need to get busy on them and get them finished!

I noticed that the lighter weight fleece seems to have more stretch to it than the heavier weight fleece.

I use fleece as a backing, as a matter of fact my current projects are being done this way.

I use fleece a lot with the kids quilts I make, makes it a lot more comfy.

I have done a couple crib size quilts using fleece for the backing--no batting and pieced flannel blocks for the top. Both are very snuggly. I stitched around some block designs on the more elaborately pieced one--stars with alternating chain blocks and the other was a small trip around the world with 5" flannel squares so I just did an X design on it. I brought the fleece to the front for the binding. It did stretch a little on the Trip quilt but not the stars. I think the Trip one was cut wonky and I didn't square it up before I used it. I bought a bunch of fleece prints (& I mean a bunch!) on clearance a few years ago and am trying to use it up. It takes up space that I want to use for quilt backings & that's what gave me the idea to use it as backings.

i use fleece backings alot too, the kids in my family LOVE THEM! i do use batting in mine, i just like them that way and they are super warm and fluffy, lots of people do not use batting, lots of people do not use batting in flannel quilts either, i do. its personal choice and how warm you want the quilt to be. and prewash the fabrics for the top because the fleece does not shrink like cotton does.

I have made & sold several denim quilts with fleece backing. Everyone loves them. I do not have to use batting & they are so warm.

About four years ago I was making fleece blankets for a friend of mine - I learned that fleece has different shrinkage rates - so I recommend washing the fleece before using it.

Just returned home with 7yds of a lime green fleece (daughter's choice in color, not mine) I got it at Joann's on sale 60% off which was great since it was $12.99 a yard. The quilt top has already been washed so any shrinkage has occured. I'm throwing the fleece in the washer right now even though I've been told it won't shrink.

Measure it before and after - just for the heck of it - if it isn't already wet!

LOL.......you just caught me in time. I'll let you know what happens.

Did you measure both width and length?

I just pulled out a piece from my stash that is perfect for a crib size top I have ready & then I found a leftover piece of batting under it that is also the right size so I'm going to try my first fleece backed with batting.

I have just finished quilting a baby quilt with fleece on the back.I did have wool/cotton batting in it. I did hearts and meander and it came out great. I just pinned it like an ordinary quilt. I did wash the fabric first in case it shrank too much. Some fleece can be thin so make sure it has a thicker texture and you should have no problems.

I am off o go buy fleece for the quilt I am making for my dad. I think he will use it more. It will be warm and cuddly.

yup.........length is exactly 7yds and width is 64",