If you use fleece for backing, how do you bind it?
 

I have a friend going through a rough patch and thought I'd make a lap quilt to let her know I'm thinking of her. I'd like to use fleece for the backing so that it's extra cuddly and I will skip the batting. Since I've not done fleece before, I'll probably use a good quality polar fleece but avoid Minkee since some have said it's extra challenging and slippery.

But how do you bind with fleece backing? Use the traditional cotton binding? Do you need to cut it any wider to allow for bulk? Any tips?

I've never done a fleece backing, but would assume that if the seam is thicker it would require a wider binding. It's a kind thing you are doing for your friend.

i have used fleece at backing and yes the seam is thicker i used a 4 inch binding
but i think a 3 or 3 1/2 would be good enough

I use 2 1/2 binding with fleece, have not had a problem, with no batting it is not too thick. When I bind a quilt with cotton, front and back I normally press the binding, I skip this step when using fleece.

I used a 3" binding when I did the fleece quilt I made. Very nice of you to be making a quilt for your friend!

I've done the binding as usual with 2-1/2" strips or with just pulling the backing to the front.

Both ways worked great.

It is not any more bulky than binding a quilt having batting.

I just folded over about an inch of the backing and use the blanket stitch on my machine. Yes, it showed on the back but everyone I showed it to just loved it, including the person who received it. I wasn't interested in stitching thru all those layers of fleece.

I have always folded under 1/4 - 1/2 inch around the top and sewn it down to the fleece. Then trim the fleece about 1/2 inch wider than the top and left it unbound. Sometimes I cut fringe on the sides. Since fleece doesn't ravel it works well for me.

I just finished 2 kids quilts using fleece for the back plus batting. I used a 2.5" binding which I sewed to the back and then machine top sewed to the front, also another first for me which I loved. I was concerned about binding mine, too, but they turned out great.

I've done them both with cotton and fleece. The cotton binding was 3 inches. I sewed the edges of the quilt before I attached the binding in both cases. I also did one with the fleece, I only use a single fold binding, cut it 3 inches, sewed on the front as usual and hand stitched the back. Both ways were fine but I liked the look of the fleece binding.

I just folded my backing from the back to the front mitering the corners and stitched down.

I recently made a denim scrappy quilt for a boys' charity and I used fleece for the backing, with no batting. I finished it by doing the "birthing" method, then topstitched about 1/2" from the edge all around and did minimal quilting, enough to keep the fleece from shifting. Thought it turned out just fine and it finished up very quickly. I used the "no-pill" fleece from Joanne's.

Thanks to all for your replies! Looks like there are a number of options for this. I hope to get the quilt cut out this weekend. I'll get the fleece once I know what size the quilt will be.

I used a packaged satin blanket binding. I put it on with a decorative stitch. Looked fancy!

I've had some fleece pieces shrink - this was from several years ago -

I do my usual 2 1/4" binding.

I make these all the time, even if I put in batting I still use 2.5" on my binding.

I just use cotton like I use on the top. Fleece is VERY EASY to quilt! In fact, I just bought some fleece yesterday to use as backing on a quilt I am making for my neice.

I have just used 2 1/2 fleece binding. Works just fine.

I would finish it pillowcase style. Don't have to deal with binding then.

I also used a 2 1/2 inch binding and have made 3 quilts with fleece backing. You are right, very cuddly and I did it the same way you would bind an all cotton quilt. The fleece may feel thicker but it works great in the machine without any trouble. I'm sure she will really appreciate your thoughtfulness.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]422823[/ATTACH]I just finished backing 2 double knit lap quilts that my Mom had made the tops (many, many years ago), with fleece. I made it about 2 1/2 inches bigger than the top, all the way around, then I folded to the front and did a zig zag stitch on the edge. I was going to give them to a nursing home, which was why my Mom used up her scraps that way, but my Hubby said "I want the 1st one, and my son said " I want the 2nd one" so guess we will recycle at home 1st!! Good luck with yours.

made a lap quilt for a friend in chemo....fleece backing....used 3'' for binding...worked just fine

Lots of good ideas here...glad for the reassurance that fleece is pretty easy to work with. Gmavis, thanks so much for the picture! Good to know your family will enjoy your mother's work.

I make fleece qullows all the time. I serge the edge of the quillow (or zigzag it if you don't have a serger) this makes for a nice firm filling for the binding. I use 2" French fold binding and first stitch the binding to one side and then simply fold it over and stitch to the other side just inside the original stitching and it comes out perfect every time!!

i've both used 2 1/2' and i've birthed it. both methods worked well. when i used the birthing method it was a lighter fleece and it quilted up nicely. good luck! i'm sure your friend will fell the warmth of your love and support!

I make a lot of quilts for the hospital using fleece. You can do a traditional bing if you want or do the rollover binding that is easiest. For that you allow 1-2 inches of fleece all around the quilt top. Then you fold the sides under twice toward the top. Stitch that down with a decorative stitch. I have a tutorial on my blog called Cuddle Quilts Primer.

Thanks judee0624...I found your tutorial! Great information.
http://meinca-mainer.blogspot.com/20...ts-primer.html

I've used fleece, but used the birthing method. Once turned I simple sewed about 1/2" which encased the bulk and it looked fine. These were throws used on the floor and watching tv, so I cheated a bit.

I have sewn small projects that have fleece backing like a pillowcase. Leave a small open space and "birth" the quilt. Pull the corners out and make sure they are square. (I also cut across the corners in a triangle to cut down on the bulk before turning.) Quilt or tie as desired. The seam will make the fleece and the top fabric secure and you won't have to bind it. I also then sew down the sides using a 1" seam so that it looks like it has been bound. Hope this helps and I hope I have made it plain. Then I quilt or tie it to finish it.

Whenever I've used it I have always treated it just as I do a quilt with batting and cotton fabric. I didn't tape it down too taut. Sewing was a breeze. Like a hot knife through butter. I have to admit I was nervous the first time but now it doesn't phase me.

One of our QB members, Gibbette, used fleece all the time on her quilts. She donates them to cancer patients and says the fleece is very warming. She has told me that she folds the fleece from back to front and binds it. She says it has worked fine for her. Good luck and that is such a great thing for you to do.

You can bind by birthing the quilt, regular binding but like you mentioned a bit wider 3 inches or so, or roll from the front to the back (top to fleece back). Birthing is by far the easiest. One problem I ran into is that my basting spray did not work on it because the fleece is synthetic and for the spray to work it needs to be mostly cotton. You need to pin it pretty close if using a regular sewing machine to quilt. It quilts up great. Oh I did not use any batting in between. The fleece was both the batting and the back.

I just made a bunch with fleece backing and I used the birthing method and then I tied it instead of quilting it.

Lovely thought for your friend!!! :) When I use fleece, I found that putting a layer of maybe an old sheet in between the top and the fleece gives it a little more body, better for quilting. I also use a binding of 2 1/2" or maybe 3" of a matching colour in cotton.

I make quilt for hospice patients and always use fleecefor baking and no batting. That way they aren't too heavy and very warm and comfy. I do a regular cotton fabric binding