Minke
 

Any tips for using Minke for the backing of a T-shirt quilt? I want to spray baste.

I have sewed a minkee top, but haven't quilted it so don't really have any advice but will be watching this thread

I've done several quilts with Minky backing. Some had batting, and some not. I have done regular binding, but I prefer to bring the Minky around to the top and self-bind.
For quilting, I have done both FMQ and straight stitching. I have used both a walking foot and plain foot, and have done straight and zig zag stitching.
No problems with any of it, although the Minky does get channel marks from my sewing machines advancing the fabric. They brush out however.
You do need to use a good quality thread- I used Isocord when two other brands broke.

I used it for a few strips on a rag quilt. Love the feel...I did use batting. I want to make one that is all Minky. I daughter inlaw said they are not doing pink for the baby...of course I bought all pink...quess i will make it bigger for a Gramma quilt.

I have no answer to this ... so while the Minkee questions are being asked, I will throw it out there.

Is Minkee stable enough on its own?
Or does it need a stabilizer to hold it in place to work with?

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I've heard that Minkee sheds and moults terribly as you work with it.
Though once quilted and raw edges are gone, it behaves itself.

True? or False?

My LA er has put minkee on the back of deveral quilts for me. It does get heavy, but I use poly batting with it and bind it just like any other quilt.

Linda

All I know is that the Minkee in the store sheds like a big dog! I love the feel of it but every time my hands come away from petting I have it all over.

the cut edges do shed===when i purchase minkee the first thing i do when i get it home is take it outside & shake it --alot---i also try to purchase what i need in one piece-so i don't have to deal with any cutting-further shedding. once the cut edges are (finished) they do not continue to shed.
i do not believe spray basting will work with minkee- if you use a single sided minkee it has a shiny/slippery back (satin like) on the back which the spray does not adhere to- if you are using a double sided minkee it is too (lofty/textured) for the spray to work.
you also need to use a good-new-sharp needle- it is not all that easy to stitch through (being a polyester product) hand stitching is pretty much out-
i love quilts backed with minkee & have made lots of them- but they do have their (challenges)

I think I used spray basting but I'm not sure; if I did it worked because I don't remember any problems.
DO use a sharp (microtex) needle.
On my first quilt I echo stitched around my "monsters" in just a straight stitch and it went fine. The second one was almost ruined when I tried to do decrorative stitches around the monsters. That was too much, the minke bunched up and puckered. So be careful.
And yes, use a stabilizer.

I have a friend who uses a lot of minkee for backs and she borders the minkee with 4-6" of cotton so her edges are stable and there is no bulk when she binds them with regular cotton.

I agree -- minkee really sheds -- the machine needs a major cleanup when I use it as backing. I have tried to use an iron on stabilizer but the minkee got too stiff. I would prefer to stabilize the t-shirts with a light weight iron on stabilizer. Minkee stretches and so do t-shirts. That could be trouble if you don't use stabilizer.