Instead of traditional batting.....?
 

Could fleece or even double knit pieces be used inside quilts?:wave: Thanks for your help!

I've heard of people using fleece for batting. I think it would make a very heavy quilt!

I agree, Margaret.

My girlfriend used blankets inside her quilts in the 60's & '70's. They were very heavy and very warm. Definitely not what you want in the Deep South. The problem with using double knit is that it doesn't shrink. Before I put it in a quilt, I would make a mug rug or table runner with it and wash it after quilting. Does it achieve the look you want? If so, go for it.

I have a fleece blanket that's like sleeping under a feather! I would not use for batting but just as the batting/backing combined.

I put fleece in one baby quilt and it was so heavy.

I've quilted queen size quilts using cotton and wool/cotton blends and the clients said they were too heavy. One was undone and had to be re-quilted without batting. The other, a friend, got me to make another quilt and finished it without batting. both were happy with the results.

I have also used minky ( so soft) & polar fleece, which I didn't think was any heavier than the traditional battings.
The last few quilts I used what I'm told was micro fleece, which isn't as thick, but is as warm as the normal fleece. It wasn't the best to quilt as I had to lower the foot to avoid skipped stitches, and the foot stuck on the denser piecing joins, upsetting the stitching, but I thought it was a bit lighter to carry.

I just finished quilting two pillowcases using fleece (I found a piece of fleece in my stash that was the right size for the two cases, and I couldn't remember why I purchased that fleece so decided to use it) I do not like how the cases quilted up. The fleece did not "fill" between the quilting lines like normal batting so the quilt block fabric has a little puff on top of the very flat fleece. I'm thinking of frogging the cases and quilting again with my beloved Hobbed 80/20.

One of my first quilts, before I knew the so-called "rules" and that the Quilt Police would come after me ;), was a pieced top with a fleece blanket that doubled as both backing and batting. It is wonderfully warm, not heavy at all, and my son loves it. I say go for it. :thumbup:

I love using a single layer of flannel (pre-washed / pre-shrunk) inside my baby quilts. It makes for a VERY supple quilt, but does not lend itself to see much of the quilting definition.

If using fleece as batting/backing do you do traditional bindng and if yes, do you make it wider than normal?

I have no experience with double-knit, but I've made a couple of quilts using fleece as the batting. The two recipients both have a lot of trouble staying warm, and they found these quilts to be much lighter than the alternative (e.g., layers of wool blankets).

Because neither fleece nor double-knit shrinks, it's critical to shrink the quilt top, bottom, and binding fabrics as much as possible before sandwiching the quilt. (I strongly encourage you to wash and dry (on hot) the component fabrics before you even cut them.)

I have not found it necessary to increase the width of the binding I use. (I start with 2 1/4" strips.)

I hope this is helpful.

If you're just wanting a light quilt use the fleece as the backing and forget wadding. I've made kids charity quilts like that and while they are warm & snuggly they weigh almost nothing. Great for all kids big & small.

Double knit is very HOT. My MIL made a quilt for my husband many years before we were married. Tried it the 1st winter I was here & could not take it. It has never been on the bed again. I like to be warm & snuggly not sweating while I sleep.

Layer the pieces you are thinking about and see how you like the feel. You can use anything you want for batting. I just did a blanket with fleece on the front and back and batting in between. No problem quilting it. If fleece feels right to you, then use it.

Fleece can absolutely be used as batting. I love to use the really thin fleece sold at Walmart for batting inside baby quilts. It makes the quilt incredibly lightweight and easy for a little one to drag around.

I have a long arm frame to quilt on, so that makes it easier to use fleece. One thing that I will suggest when using fleece as batting or backing is to quilt/sew from selvage to selvage. That is usually the least stretchy, and gives me better results.

I have used double knit as backing, but not as batting. I don't see why it wouldn't work.

I love fleece for batting or backing and have used it at least 10 times. It's not really much, if any, heavier than using flannel backing and kids love how soft it is.

I use traditional binding, made from 2.5 inch strips.

Thanks all for your suggestions. I had some very thin fleece throws from the hardware store and used them in small quilts for my grandchildren. Just finished and they are fine! Lightweight and warm. Glad to hear others have tried using fleece and had success too. May just use the knits as throws; our senior citizens home likes them for wheelchair patients as they are easy to wash. Always get help from this group. :)

Just checked this board and found many posts about successfully using fleece for batting and backing for years. Some from 2013. You creative quilters discovered this great idea much earlier than I did! I always learn new things here :)

I freq use fleece as the backing of a quilt ( I quilt for older ppl that tend to be so cold all the time) I freq use double knit as batting... normally more in a quilt as you go type setting.... but I have done an over all batting of double knit... I try to remember to quilt it a bit heavier to keep things from stretching and getting funky..
Yes, I grew up with only old blankets and quilts used as batting in the North central Texas area.... I was well grown before i knew batting even existed.. lol

I am about to sandwich a quilt for my son who lives in Northern Indiana. This thread has helped make up my mind what to use for the batting. Thanks!