Using flannel instead of batting
 

I'm sure someone out there has used flannel instead of batting...right? What were your pro's and con's? I'm thinking it would be perfect for a lightweight coverlet. The only drawback I can see is that the quilting wouldn't look "quilted."

If not flannel, what is the thinnest/lightest weight batting? Thanks for your help!

I have not personally used it in a summer quilt but it was quite a discussion on just that at our last guild meeting. A number of members had did it and were happy with the result. In Minnesota it seems we only use a summer quilt for about 4-5 month anyway so the quilted looked isn't a big thing to me. Keep in mind though, the flannel will shrink quite a bit so you may want to pre-wash and dry several times before putting it in the quilt. The quilting aspect was not discussed though. I use it a lot with table toppers/runners. I like them to be a little flatter so things set on them are not as "tippy".

I've used flannel a number of times. I washed and dried on high heat 3 times. No problem with shrinkage. The quilting actually looked fine. I don't do really heavy quilting. The quilt is light but drapes really well. Go for it

The first quilt I made was a rag quilt through a class I took and we used flannel. I can't attest to the comfort level as I haven't actually *used* it, but it does have a nice lightweight feel. As others have mentioned, the quilting won't be as visible and you won't get "poofiness".

I would definitely recommend washing and drying on high before using to shrink it. I've only washed the finished quilt once, but didn't have anymore shrinkage because of the pre-washing. Flannel can shrink up quite a bit so make sure you buy enough!

I just had another thought-if you want the quilting to show up more, using a heavier weight thread might be your answer?

I use flannel for baby quilts because I don't want those items to be so heavy. I also want the mom to be able to wrap up baby nicely if she chooses. Since I am new to quilting, I don't do any free motion or curves. I usually do wavy lines or diamonds - something simple. The quilt doesn't have that puffiness but it definitely has a quilted appearance. Hope that helps!

I made a quilt for my college-aged nephew that was three layers of flannel; top, batting, and backing. It is quite heavy. The "batting" was a recycled ugly flannel sheet. It was a simple 9-patch made from Bonnie Sullivan's Woolies line, which I loved. The fabrics were all pre-washed and it did not shrink at all, which was mildly disappointing to me. I like the crinkly look. Oh well - my nephew loves it and that's all that matters. :)

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VERY NICE quilt Peggy !!! It so hard to find patterns for guys. Yes, flannel can become heavy and cumbersome. If you decide to use flannel as batting, I would wash and dry it on high a few times. You don't want your quilt to shrink because it will if the flannel is not washed.

I have not used flannel in a bed quilt but have made table runners and placemats with flannel instead of batting. I like that those things will lay flat and not be puffy. Go for it- just wash and dry well so the shrinkage factor is minimal.

I've used flannel for batting many times, generally when I want my project to be flat... For the projects I've used it for there were no 'cons'...but I don't think I would use it for a quilt I wanted to be lightweight... Flannel is really warm. I have also used just a layer of lightweight muslin for batting, that worked fine too and was not as heavy at the flannel

You might try Quilters Dream Request cotton batting; it's the thinnest weight cotton they have. Their website says it's excellent for summer weight quilts and hand quilting.

I love Quilters Dream products!

Jan in VA

I used flannelette for a batting several years ago. Washed/dried on hot/hot several times to get the shrinkage under control before taking all to some Amish ladies to handquilt.

They liked working with it. It has not had any further shrinkage with washings and I have not seen any crinkly-ness or wrinkles show up. I really like the feel of it ... nice body, not stiff, and quite comfy when used on the bed. In the summer, just a sheet and this quilt. Wintertime, add on an extra quilt(s) for more warmth.

While many say flannelette is heavy .... combining this one layer with traditional quilting cottons for the top/bottom has not made for a heavy quilt to move around. I actually find it quite light.

The quilting does show, but no you are not going to get a poofy look, being that there is no loft in it. If you want the quilting more noticeable, try a thread with more contrast and perhaps a heavier weight.

All in all ... I've had no regret in using the flannelette as a batting.

I love using flannel as a batting!!

Pro's ...

it's sooooo soft and supple. The drape is better than any batting you will use. You can easily wrap it around a baby's finger without folds or stiffness.

Very warm, but still breathes

You can quilt is far apart if you wish since the batting is a weave.

Cons ...

It doesn't show the quilting as much (this may be a pro <g>)

can be a little on the heavy side

Washes beautifully (I don't care for the crinkly look ... this may be a con!)

Highly suggest washing the flannel at least twice in HOT water and a HOT dryer to make sure it shrinks properly.

Is flannelette the same thing as flannel?

i finished a quilt for a friend of my mom's and it had what looked like an old flannel sheet in the middle. Those wouldn't shrink up

Have you thought about using fleece? I tried that and was very pleasantly surprised by the results. The stitching showed beautifully and it made a light, soft quilt.

ITA ..... I used it once ... and have really liked it for the light weight and nice soft drape. Plus that it is a very warm quilt.

I really like it too!

I've used it before and had no problems. I am not partial to a lot of loft, as the quilts that I grew up with didn't have much. I did make sure that the flannel was washed and dried before using it. It makes a sturdy batt without adding a lot of weight.

I have made table runners using flannel sheets from the thrift store. I am a hand quilter and they work up very nice, I wanted it to lay flat and it does with no problem.

I've used a flannel top sheet as batting...worked great and I didn't have the seams to worry about.

I got some flannel to use as batting for a summer quilt and did prewash it. I was amazed at how much it shrunk. I had to go buy almost as much again as I did the first time. I am now on the 3rd washing for all of it and am hoping it will be the last. I measured it after the second washing so I can see how much shrinkage there is. So definitely prewash!!!

This is what I think I need... as I was throwing the covers off me AGAIN last night for about the 5th time I thought: Hmmmm, I need to make a summer quilt... wonder what to use for batting!?! SO glad KR asked this question! So many great answers!

I use lightwt fleece, it's nice and thin and is great for a summer/winter quilt. it get's bitter here on the island in the winter, and one layer is fine, as is the same for summer with air conditioning.

Not sure what anyone else says, but I am making a jeans quilt and using scraps of flannel in the centers just to give it some body and make it not too heavy.

I made one summer weight quilt and used Thermore for the batting. It is a thin, even thickness polyester batt, with no poufiness to it. Polyester is lightweight compared to cotton, and this batt is thin and has an even thickness to it just like cotton batts do. I understand it's also great for handquilting. Just another option for a summer weight quilt.

Thank you, QBers, for all your gracious comments, especially the heads up about how much flannel shrinks! Sure would not have thought it to be so drastic!!

I've used QD Request on two quilts that I hand quilted, one of which is my avatar, and it was quite nice, but I didn't want to go to that extra expense for this project.

I sandwiched the quilt yesterday and ended up using Hobbs 100% cotton batting since I had it on hand. However, I'd like to try a smaller quilt using flannel to get an idea of how it handles....sounds very nice for babies.

Many thanks again....have a wonderful quilty day!