Questions about flannel
 

I plan to use flannel as a backing on a quilt. It is a gift for a person in a nursing home.
Do you recommend using batting or will the flannel be enough for warmth?

Also will the quilt have a 'flatter' look if I do not use batting?

Thank you.

I have made many quilts with a flannel backing, one nice thing about it is, it helps prevent the quilt from sliding off the bed or person, the flannel seems to grip the surface. I have always used a light cotton batting with the flannel.

But I have heard of people using just the flannel and no batting for what they call a summer quilt. You may want to keep in mind the weight of the quilt on the person if they are an older person if you do use both batting and flannel.

Don't forget to pre-wash your flannel. I always use hot water and a hot dryer. Flannel tends to shrink a lot!

Remember that a lot of people feel the cold more as they get older. If the person you're making it for is like that, I would definitely use a batting.

My vote is for batting. I work at a hospital and many seniors just can't get warm! They can always fold your quilt back if they get too hot.

Neenee

Even in the summer most places use air conditioning and that makes it cold for a senior. I was in the hospital in June a few years ago and felt chilled to the bone the whole time I was there.

If you are looking for truly warmth in the quilt- "warm & natural" is great. It doesn't shift and is great to work with.

Poly batting is both light and warm, so might be the answer for an older, frail person.

I would definitely use poly batting and prewash the flannel.

Shoot, I just used flannel backing on 3 kid size quilts and did not prewash:eek: