Minky Question
 

I'm about to start on a baby quilt with a Minky backing, which I"ve never used before. Is there any reason I shouldn't add the backing after the top is quilted? In other words, no quilting on the Minky back? I also plan on doing a self-binding with the backing.

Thanks!

How would you keep the layers together?

I think there would be a lot of shifting if the Minky is just left "loose".

You might consider tying the Minky to the quilted top/batting.

I like the way the quilting 'embosses' itself on the back with Minky. Just a personal preference. I agree with Bearisgray about shifting. It would be a good idea to stablized it..tying or doing a bar tack on the machine if you would rather.

I agree.. the minky can really look nice after quilting

I have used Minky backing for several quilts without a problem. Use it just as I use any backing fabric. I think it has an undeserved reputation for problems, in my experience. I do pin basting and quilt on my home sewing machine. If you don't want to quilt it, I would agree with those who suggested tacking or tying, just as any backing would need.

Some Minky sheds a lot when cut -- that's been my main complaint. I have seen trendy baby blankets with one side Minky, the other cotton, two squares sewn together and turned inside out, no quilting, for sale for $40 and up. You can quilt if you want with no worries, but you don't have to do that, either. Whatever works for you!

I agree with suern3 that minky often gets a bad rap. I like to use minky on the back of baby and children's quilts. I dont't have to many problems with it. I quilt on the LA and the main thing is not to stretch the minky as you quilt.

Agreeing with Bearisgrey on shifting, so would I would quilt. Minky is really popular for baby quilts because it's so insanely soft and cuddly. It's super trendy and it seems like every baby has to have a minky backed blanket or quilt! I say go for it as it is sure to be well received :)

If you never used it before tho, you may want to make sure you have some scrap to test out and just see how it goes for you. Also it sheds like crazy. I know some people cut it outside because of that. Have your dustbuster at the ready LOL ;D

Use a "textile spray adhesive," like 505 spray. It holds the layers together very nicely, then washes out. I've worked with Minky on my home machine and also on my longarm, and haven't had any problems. After you spray baste the layers together, sew a basting stitch all the way around the outside edges. Use a walking foot if you have one. You may also want to use a few safety pins.

Self-bindings are actually harder to do on a machine quilted quilt, because you'll probably want to square-up the edges when you're done with the quilting, and won't be able to. For me, it's a lot easier to put a traditional binding on. If you're binding with Minky, you don't have to turn the edge under, just sew the raw edge to the front with a serpentine stitch.

I love minkie backed quilts, have been making them for over 10 years. I always quilt them. The minkie is polyester & doesn't shrink. Cotton fabric does. If you don't quilt the layers together after time & use the 2 pieces of cloth sewn together around the edges is going to (bag- become misshaped) I always use batting, you didn't mention if you plan to or not. Minkie is easy to work with - other than the shredding if you cut it- I try to order/purchase the exact size I need so I don't have to deal with that.

I am currently working on my first Minky backed quilt and realized that I am no longer intimidated by the bad rap it had. I basted around the cut edges, spray basted plus pinned and have found that it is much easier to work with than anticipated. I love how it looks quilted.

I did not find that minky was too messy to work with. However, I used warm and natural and backed the quilt with the minky. Quilted fine on my Epic. The whole thing turned out so heavy. I would not use batting if I ever used the minky again.

I use minky as backing on all my baby quilts. I also use the thick poly batting because I like them fluffy & so do the moms. I quilt with the minky on as I prefer to stabilize the whole quilt.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I will definitely do a sample block sandwich to test it out. I was worried that quilting wouldn't look good on the Minky backing because of the "dots" of fluff, but I can't do anything fancy anyway, so I'm sure it will look ok.

When you use the long-arm do you 'float' the minky backing?

When quilting Minky on a longarm, I've found it helpful to pin an extra fabric stabilizer on the side edges to hold the selvedge edge more evenly. That way, I can also put a 58" quilt top on my 60" wide Minky. Here's some pictures.

Can you hand quilt a quilt with Minky back-?

You need to quilt all layers but use a walking foot to keep it from bunching. I usually spray and pin mine first to help keep it straight.