I have just recieved the material and can't wait to make up this quilt for my 21 month old Grandson.
Would you back it with fleece or the normal cotton backing---seeing as it may be in and out of the washer/dryer which is best??

Or even use Minkee

You can use whatever you like. Minkee and fleece is a little more tricky to work with than cotton, it can stretch a bit while quilting :D:D:D

If I were doing it, I would use regular cotton backing. It just makes it feels like a real quilt.

I would use a cotton backing. I'd be nervous that the front and back of the quilt would shrink/wear unevenly if I used a cotton and a synthetic on the same quilt.

Little kids are really hard on quilts and that's how I like it. I always tell people, "Make sure you use this quilt. If I can't find a stain or a rip on it, my feelings will be hurt." That fixes the nervous nellies every time.

I love minkee, but you do need to prewash your cotton fabrics if you use minkee. I am going to use it on my Brown Bear quilt.

I would advise prewashing the backing material and the materials for the top before cutting.

(check the instructions on the batting before doing anything to it - warm and natural washes beautifully)

Thank you for your advice now I wish I was in USA to send for the material for the backing would love either the one with numbers on or the little caterpillars,but can't find it on any of the English sites

I did a different Eric Carle quilt and I backed it with cotton.

Cotton :)

My kids and I loved those books!!! :D