I want to make a picnic quilt...Something that we can take along to toss on the grass when we to go picnics or concerts or whatever it will be needed for...OUTSIDE. Any suggestions? Perhaps a heavier fabric, certain batting, what about the back, any certain fabrics??? Please help! ! ! Thanks so much!

I'm making one out of old jeans.

I have gotten as far as the old jeans, but wondering what to put as batting. Thinking maybe just flannel. Then next issue is what kind of backing--maybe jeans on both sides, but it would be awful thick and stiff. Watching this thread intently. I love it when someone else actually does my thinking for me. :) Thank you in advance!

Denim on one side and doubleknit on the other, tie it with no batting between. Can even stitch around the edge, turn right side out and edge stitch before tying. I did this with a bunch of denim I stumbled onto, then kept them in the car to give to needy homeless I came across when running errands, etc.

Here's a cute one from JoAnn's projects. Picked up the freebie hand out one day, and hope to make it sometime.

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/projectdetail.jsp;jsessionid=18193717D93939F2A75176CD0BA8EC1B.a6p1? projectFlag=true&CATID=cat13853&PRODID=prod572363& subCatName=quilting+%26+patchwork

we have made many picnic/beach quilts- we make wonderful-colorful fun tops...a nice cotton back- dream poly batting
poly batting doesn't shrink- and wears like steel- holds up nicely to multiple washings/drying-- they are lightweight- easy to pack
great fun!

The one I've used for years is made of poly-cotton front and back. It's really smooth so leaves, etc. don't stick to it and it launders perfectly. It also isn't too heavy to carry around. I've probably been using it for 20 years and it's still in great shape.

Thanks, love this - added to my mile long 'to-do' list!

I have jean rag quilts that are at least 15 years old now, I didnt use batting and bought denim yardage for the backs. I tied them with red yarn, We still use them all the time.They get better with age:)

I have a quilt that I made for soccer games, picnics, etc. I used black backing, warm and natural batting and make it a scrappy quilt on top. Works beautifully and washes up so nicely! I keep it in the trunk of the car and it comes in so handy.

I used some old drapes on one side and corduroy scraps on the other, no batting and tied it here and there. Came in handy to take to the fireworks or picnics and sturdy too.

Carol J.

I just made a "car quilt" for my daughter. She is taking an outdoor "Baby bootcamp" exercise program where you take your baby with you. She wanted a quilt (with a baseball theme) that she could just toss on the ground and put my grandson Noah on while she was exercising. I made a twisted quilt with baseball fabrics on top, used a double layer of cotton batting and a dark blue cotton fabric on the bottom. She said it's small enough that she can grab it out of the car, and use at a moment's notice and then toss it into the washing machine when it's dirty. It's also thick enough to absorb the dew when the baby is sitting on it.

I keep a rag quilt in the back of both of our vehicles. They've gotten used for picnics, warmth in the vehicle, warmth in restaurants (my children were mortified when I did that)! and picnics at rest stops (be sure to NOT lay it down in the pet potty areas...they DO exist and it's not pretty afterwards)!!!

Jeans, rag quilt, patchwork quilt, scrappy quilt...

I am working on the watermelon quilt and it will be used on picnics, at concerts, on picnic tables, etc. Now need to find the right backing. Maybe for this one I will use a red sheet for financial reasons. I'm sure WM has one at a decent price.

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I was thinking of a little heavier fabric since it will be used on the grass and probably have to be laundered often. Always good suggestions here on the QB. thanks again! ! !