Using fleece instead of batting
 

I seen the picture of the person whose batting fell to pieces due to excess washings. My question is have anyone used fleece instead of batting? What is the life of the quilt using that? Do you wash it first? Whats the down side if not washed first?

I just started using fleece for my lap and kids quilts. Love it. Works nice.

I have made several with fleece. Since it is polyester which does not shrink, I preshrink the top fabrics and then cut and piece them. Then sew them together. Makes a nice warm quilt with not as much weight as a quilt with the cotton batting.

Have not tried it but should be warm and cozy! Not sure what the life span would be.

Going to try this ...

Would you use the fleece as backing and batting?

When I'm doing quick baby quilts, I will often back them with polar fleece instead of using batting and a cotton backing. I have one friend who orders quilts for her real estate clients and specifically requests the fleece back, because they're so snuggly. When I use the fleece, I don't put batting in the quilt, it just becomes too bulky, especially for AZ.

Used it in about fifty quilts. Ihand quilt. Machine quilted one for my kitty,zoey. She loves polar fleece

I make all my rag quilts with fleece as it is light weight and warm. Have not tried a traditional quilt this way.

Yes, use fleece! Especially for baby and lap quilts - the 60" width is usually sufficiently wide for them.

I used a single piece of fleece only in one quilt - it was both backing and batting. It was very soft and snuggly. I do worry about pilling over the long term when I do that, though, so usually use fleece for batting and put a cotton backing on a quilt, too.

I get the lighter weight fleece at Walmart to use for baby quilts. It's light weight in terms of how heavy it is as well as how warm it is. I figure that babies aren't so strong that they'll want to drag around a heavy quilt!

I've used the heavy weight fleece, too. It gives a quilt a soft, pillowy feel.

I've been useing fleece for years, no problems.

I use polar fleece for one step batting/backing on string quilts that I donate to Project Linus for these exact reasons. So snuggly and perfect weight for kids cuddle quilts.

Do you still put a backing on your quilt?

You could, it's a personal choice. But I think it's safe to say that the majority of us that use fleece don't use a separate backing. The fleece does a great job at being batting and backing all in one - and soooo soft and snuggly! :)

I would strongly suggest though that you use polar fleece or another fleece that is marketed not to pill. It makes all the difference after many washings.

I am going to try fleece in next kids quilt. Can you still FMQ with a fleece batting?

I have used fleece as batting and have had no issues with it.

When you use fleece as the backing, do you bind it in the traditional way or use another method?

Tate

Thank you guys! This has really helped so much. Can't wait to try one using the fleece for batting and backing! Will definitely try it for batting in regular quilts. I love you guys!!!! Will post pics soon.

I always use fleece for the batting in my dog quilts. This way, if they start to dig in the quilt to make it comfy....if isn't going to shred.

Thanks you've been so helpful.:D

I have used old thrift polyester blankets also. Our ancestors have also used old quilts that were falling apart.

I have used fleece as batting on lots of projects. Table runners, mug rugs, quilts for people and quilts for pets. Haven't used them as backing yet (but probably will). I have had no problems (I pre-wash everything) and have quilted by hand and machine and also tied with no dramas.

I just made 10 quilts for a nursing home and used fleece for the backing. I did not use batting. I did not prewash my quilt top. I also folded the fleece to the front of the quilt to use as the binding. After washing the quilts, I had no problem with the top shrinking. The quilts are washed by the laundry at the nursing home and they come out great!

Stupid question time: Is fleece cheaper than a decent cotton batting? Although, I suppose that's one of those YMMV questions, huh? Depending on where you get it, whether you can find remnant/clearance pieces-parts, or the weight/thickness you purchase.

Warm & Natural is on sale/clearance at Joann's this week for 50% off...$22.xx for queen size. But I don't know how that compares to fleece yardage.

I will make a top then use an old sheet for the inside and fleese in the back. (with the fleece on the back you don't need batting)..I have done that for years. and Can I say that is the warmest quilt. If their batting is falling apart then they might have used a cheap batting. I have quilts I made in the 70's and still use them and the batting is fine.

I can't FMQ with my domestic machine, I just can't get the hang of it. So I put mine on my frame & quilt that way. I guess that means yes? :) The biggest thing is Baste Baste Baste! When loading the fleece on my frame, I have to be super careful not to stretch it, otherwise the quilt will distort.

Fleece is anywhere from $7-$17/yard for 58" wide. I wouldn't want to do a pieced back out of fleece, because of the bulk of the seams. I also buy my batting in bulk, usually the queen size 40-yd roll. But then, this is part of my income.

It works fine, just a little slick when quilting and I think it is heavy. I has a better drape then lets say warm and natural.

I haven't tried fleece for batting but I am going to give it a try. I have a lot of fleece scraps that I am going to zigzag together and try. Does anyone have ideas for scrap fleece?

When you say fleece do you mean polar fleece or fleece that sweatshirts are made from. I've used polar fleece on charity quilts for babies and toddlers as the are warm & cuddly but not heavy.

I have made several this way. I particularly like the idea for foster kids, who really do need something to cuddle. I just bought a bunch of fleece from Marshall Dry Goods for this purpose. I do make a real effort not to have a fleece that pills badly.

First I have heard of using fleece, are you using the printed kind they make tie blankets from??? Or something else ?

By printed I mean novelty !!

Polar fleece as one layer instead of batting and backing, yes!! Use it for creations going to cold country. Use flannel as batting and backing for baby blankies staying in warm country. I do use batting sometimes. Just depends on the project and recipient.

I wonder if you could spray baste fleece. This has been a wonderful lot of information for me, a beginner quilter! Thank you all!

When the granddaughter made a quilt for her soldier boy, we used Elmer's Glue, did the cross stitch quilting, had zero issues!!
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I was wondering the same as some others. I guess everyone is talking about the kind that stretches? The printed kind? Are there not 2 kinds of fleece? The printed one and the kind I use in purses? Some of those are fusible. I see those on a bolt with the interfacing.

I'm glad the question about using Elmer's glue was answered. I've basted the last few quilts I've done this way and I love it, but never tried it with fleece. I've got some that I'm going to use as backing, so I'm going to give the glue a try on it.

AZ Jane, did you quilt the Army quilt on a frame or your sewing machine. I want to use the glue basting and quilt on my frame.
Thanks for the great picture.

I have used flannel too, It makes a nice backing and batting for baby quilts. .especially if you tie.

I made a simple small "ship" pattern a while back and used fleece as the backing. I was going to give it away but fell in love with it. And it matches my sofa very well. Love to lay the fleece side on my legs while watching TV!