Speaking of flannel.......
 

I live in the hot desert. You know the 117 degree temperature type of desert. I very much like the look of rag quilts, but a traditional one for me would be out of the question. The winter ( I say that word with a serious grin on my face) is barely cold by any standard.

Even putting batting in the middle would be out of the question. So I was wondering what it would look like if I only put flannel on the back, and typical quilt cotton on the front? No batting. Would the fringe from the back flannel be too meager to give a pleasing look?

Has anyone tried it?

Although I have not done this myself I have read a number of times on quilting forums about making quilts without batting. They sound ideal for summer use or, like yourself, for those who live in hotter areas.

I'm sure there will be someone here who can give you more advice!

it works just great.

It’s hot and humid here in Mississippi. I’ve made rag quilts for kids with just two layers of flannel and nothing in the middle. Looks great and is a nice lightweight version of the ragg quilt.

My avatar is made from cotton with a flannel for batting. It wasn't maybe as raggy as some would like but it worked for me.

I have made several rag quilts without batting and using two layers of flannel. For extra rag, cut your rag an inch wide. Instead of sewing the layers together with an X, sew around the perimeter about 1/8 inch from the line where your join the pieces together.

When in high school, my youngest made lots of lap quilts for her friends to take to competitions for sitting in the stands at night. She would make simple tops and back them with flannel - no batting, no bulk. They were easy to roll up and put in backpacks, easy to launder and plenty warm to use. They loved them (and were easy and cheap to make).

I'm curious Mary Rita. Why would that make a difference?

I’ve actually made three quilt tops that I simply backed with cotton fabric, not even flannel. I use them for a good part of the year (live in central Texas...hot AND humid). They are actually great as even in the fall or spring you can layer them with light weight regular quilts for changing daily weather conditions...I.e., throughout the night you can shuck one layer, pull one of etc