Hi,

I am a newbie and will be taking my first class this weekend. One of the classes we have signed up for is a rag quilting class and we were told that you can't use flannels that are white backed and that sure limits the selection of fabrics ordering online.Let alone shopping here and the prices at the LQS are $10 a yd. Was wondering if there is a way around this.

Jeff

I don't know why you can't use white. I have made 2 lately and they are fine and have white flannel in them :)

Last I knew, Joann's fabrics had flannels on sale for under $3.00 per yard. Of course that only helps if you have one close by...

use what you want. the quilt police don't really exist. I consider it a personal challenge if someone tells me "you can't" do x or y. I think what is meant is that the raggy part will not be as colorful if it is white on the back. I've never thought about this or worried about it and I make a lot of raggy quilts--have used all flannel, all non-flannel, and a combination of the two.

Laurie

I have no information for you, but hello from Maryland! *waves*

Hello and welcome from Ontario Canada. I don't see why you can't use it either..and besides it is YOUR quilt do what YOU want. I have used white and it looks great with the coloured top when ragged.
sass

Very simple-put the white backs together. you are using 2-3 layers of fabric and once the edges are frayed you won't be able to tell. I do this all the time with the novelty flannel.

Is this class at an LQS that sells flannel? Just wondering why you couldn't use white.

I used white in mine and I've washed it a bazillion times and it's fine.

What do you mean by white backed? The white backed flannel won't 'rag up' as much but the color of the flannel doesn't mean squat.

i would guess they don't like the white showing in the cut seams....

I've found that the white backed flannels are a bit stiffer and don't fray or "rag-up" as much as the others.

I've been doing raggy quilts for a while; never heard of not being able to use white. Of course, none of my backs have had white on them. I mostly use white as the inner layer; again, never had a problem.
I feel the same way as others; I will do what I want on my quilts.
If there is a problem because of "bleeding", then all the fabrics could be washed first.

They don't want you using a white back because the white back will show on the front. You could use a white background if the flannel itself was a light color. Since you're a male, I'm guessing you're going to be using darker colors in which case you wouldn't want that white showing and there's no way around that. You really won't like that white coming through the front of a dark quilt. It will be extremely distracting from the overall look. You can use cotton on one side and spend the extra money on a better flannel... Use cotton on one side, flannel on the other all the time for these and it's just fine. Where are you looking for your flannel that they only have the one with the white background?

Knew I would get an answer here and waving back to Julie. We do have a Joann's in town and will be heading there this week. We wanted to homepun and flannel for class but they said that would be difficult for a first time quilt. What combos of fabric did you use as didnt know that there were other options.

Jeff

yes it is a class at local LQS that sells flannel but we had to buy non white backed flannels but we have been searching for cheaper fabric to make more as gifts and also to embroider on.

We looked at Ben Franklins and hancocks as we were looking to do a child's rag quilt and Hancocks all there blizard flannels had a white back that were on sale. Thanks for explaining this. I love nice bright colors so was always let down but now have a game plan.

Jeff

I have made many, many flannel rag quilts using white backed flannel. Worked just fine in my opinion. Have fun. It is a great way to get started.