So I've finally finished my first ever quilt top, and I'm pleased. Now onto the actual quilting part.

First, this is going to be a couch throw. I've kind of half thought about using the old fleece hanging out here (if it's big enough) as a batting...but I was also considering using a fleece or maybe minky backing. Would it quilt well with the double fleece? (I'll be machine quilting at home on a pretty basic machine, likely in the ditch, maybe some diagonals through my squares)

Would it be too warm, maybe?

I'm not opposed to buying batting I intended to at first (and still can), but the fleece is here and ugly and I thought it might be a good way to give it life after death, especially since its a colour that shouldn't show through my quilt and if there is any... uhh... what's that term, starts with a B I think, where the batting comes through... bearding? YES, that. It wouldn't stand out. I want it to be warm and cozy for our upcoming (Canadian!) winter, but not too heavy or thick, and I just don't have any experience with this... :?

Also (and this is probably the big neon *newbie* sign right here) when I start to quilt it...do I go around the edges first, sewing my layers together and then quilt the rest, or start from the middle of my quilt, working my way out and sew my edges later?

Thanks so much!! This whole process has been incredibly fun so far, challenging me in different ways and I've found it very therapeutic. Once I get this first one completed, and start developing a few of my own tricks, I think I'll be on the fast track to life long quilting! (I'm already eyeing up a new fancier sewing machine with some quilting and embroidery stitch options...Christmas is coming... :D )

You are doing great and your questions are good questions.
I'm sure that you will have answers to you questions. While you are waiting on the answers you might go to the top of this page and click on the word "search" and then enter in "quilt sandwich". There are lots of threads there and some may answer your questions better than I can. Make a small sample of quilt top fabric and 1 layer of fleece and then try 2 layers of the fleece and see how it feels and sews. Fleece may stretch a lot so take that into consideration. hope this helps. I learn by doing. Happy Quilting.

For our midwest winters the fleece on the back would be warm enough by itself.

I would definitely give the fleece a life after death. If you don't want it to show, go ahead and use it as batting and then use muslin, a bedsheet or whatever for the backing. Since the fleece is not going to shrink, I would probably pre-wash all the fabrics for the top and the backing.

When quilting, you will want to start in the middle & work toward the corners. Fleece is stretchy so you'll want to pin or spray baste. Avoid tugging on it. You can tie it by duct taping it to the floor, wall or table. Again, start at the center & work your way out to the corners.

quilting it on your home machine it may be awfully thick to manuver with 2 layers of fleece unless it is quite thin fleece? fleece does quilt nicely. it is necessary to baste or pin baste your sandwich well (like every 4" (if you lay your fist down on the quilt it should 'touch' basting all the way around) so it does not shift/stretch while man-handling it through your machine. also roll it from each side and start quilting in the middle working your way out in one direction, then when one side is done remove it, turn it and start again in the middle going in the new direction. i would recommend making a small (12" or so) sandwich with the 2 layers of fleece and cotton top and practice to see if you can do it with that bulk or if you need to use a lighter weight inside layer (on my fleece backed quilts i used a thin single sided flannel for the batting. it came out great, not too thick but still very warm and cozy. Try different combinations to see what you like best and what works well for you.
looking forward to pictures! :)

Use the fleece as batt and a fabric or muslin as the back.
Sheets are very hard to needle if you're planning to hand quilt. They're great for machine quilting though and a lot cheaper than quilt fabric

Thanks everyone! I think I'll use that old fleece for batting (assuming it's big enough! I haven't even measured it yet, so I might be ahead of myself here...lol), but leave out a fleece back. I'm worried about my basic machine working well with a double layer and I don't want it to be too hot, either.

The sheet as backing is a great idea. Better price and no worries about it not being big enough or having to cut and piece it together to fit it. Thanks!

My advice if you do use a sheet as a backing - this is from personal experience - buy a sheet that is much bigger than your quilt top! The first quilt I ever made was for a friend's daughter. It was for a double/full size bed. The friend wanted a flannel back/sheet and was planning on finding it and buying it herself. I told her to buy a QUEEN size sheet because I knew the flannel would shrink A LOT! Well, she didn't. She brought me a lousy quality flannel in a double size. As I'd prewashed the top fabrics already, I knew I had to prewash the flannel sheet and I knew it would shrink (and warp!), but better now than after it was sewn together. Did it ever shrink (and warp!). I ended up having to cut a lot off the quilt top to accommodate the sheet backing. I was stressed and mad. Even a cotton sheet will shrink. Better to have too much fabric to work with than to end up short and then stress about how to salvage your efforts!