What exactly IS minky?
 

This may sound silly to some of you, but I've never heard of minky before. What is it? Is it a regional name for something else? What is its fabric content? Does it have a backing like velour has a tricot backing? Does it stretch? I'm puzzled.

no and yes to your questions. It is not regional.
It is a high fleese type fabric that is very stretchy and very soft. Usually comes with pattern woven into the fabric.
Many like it for backing. However, many report that it is a beast to work with as it doe stretch and takes care in working with it. Washable, tricote backing. Probably need to work with it using a walking foot to keep the layers flat and even. Suggest trying a small piece to test if it is something you would want to work with. The story I have been told is that it was named "minkey" because the head of the fabric manufacturer who introduced it had a quilt when he was small that he called "Minkey".

Thank you Denveremerson for asking and Holice for the answer. I didn't know either. My DD had a baby blanket given her. She asked me to do something with it as we were afraid she would drop the baby as the back of it was as you discribe. I gave it a dozen tack stiches with the sewing machine as we didn't think tying or quilting were good design options.

Minky is 100% polyester, washes up beautifully, is very soft and cozy. It does stretch so you have to take care but it is not that hard to work with. I have used it on back of baby quilts. You can spray baste it also. I have also used it on the back and brought it around to the front for binding and machine stitched it down. It is also 60" wide which is nice.

Wow, such great information. I'll have to get some soon and try making aomething with it. It sounds like a feel I would like for me in the wintertime. Thanks everyone.

I've only seen it in soft pastel colors. Walmart here has several bolts of it mixed in with the baby pre quilted fabric. It's not fun to sew at all.

Thank you so much for asking the question--I have been wondering about it as well since I've been seeing it here on the board more and more. Also, thank you to those who have answered the question as well. This is my something new learned today :)

I think the spelling of the original fabric is Minkee (MINKEE BLANKEE) and was introduced by Benartex. Other spelling variations are versions of the fabric made by other manufacturers.

It is a silky soft fluffy material that I just love. I have made many quilts out of it and just spray basted the top to the back of the minkee. I love how it cuddles. if you go to Joanns they usually have a section by the flannel section that is minkee like fabrics. they usually call them soft and comfy. the first quilt I made with minkee was a mess because I used pins. If you are going to use it spray baste spray baste spray baste. it helps keep things in place the best. I had a bunch of store bought ones when I had my dd and my ds before i started to quilt myself. I loved those the best.

It is a thin stretch velour, I sewed with it years ago in stretch-n-sew. Just a new name and added texture in some cases.

it is super super soft and great for baby quilts, however the price of the minkee i have found at LQS has been 18.00 a yard yikkeess.

Thanks. I'll have to look for it.

A fabric produced and marketed by textile mills in order to make quilters and crafters appreciate any 100% cotton fabric - no matter the quality.

Sounds like you either love it or hate it!

Hobby Lobby has it . . . and you can use the 40% off coupon. :thumbup:

I love it. It is hard to work with on a domestic machine, but I just pieced a minky quilt on my longarm then quilted it. It's beautiful and you don't have to worry as much about stretching. I pin the selvages to my leaders and just take care in not tightening it to much. It's my favorite quilt yet and iplan to back a lot of quilts with minky now:)

I see this thread was back in 2012 but.... Thank you for asking this question. I am fairly new to quilting so my experience and skill set is limited... also regarding using a sewing machine. Where there is a will there is a way, they say, lol. I have made a Cathedral Window, an Hourglass and a Panel Quilt. My vision is poor (20/100 uncorrectable), therefore, I have not ventured out much with quilting. Intimidated, I guess even though I have a passion for quilts!

The one I am considering using Minky with is a Panel Crib Size. I have used spray basting before, so got that down, lol. Do you recommend 1/2 seam allowance if you are using for a backing? I plan to roll over and use for the binding as well. Reason I ask is because of the stretchy fabric issue. Also, in my mind, I am thinking it is a silky plush texture instead of like fuzzy flannel? I really need to go check some out in person! Need to find my coupons!!! lol

Thanks Phyllis mn, for the simple answer! I sewed shirts for my boys in this fabric 35 years ago. I know it has been embellished with textures since then. But the price now!??!! Whoa!

I have used it for backing of baby blankets. I love the feel and get great feedback. Someone recently asked me how to wash it. I had not really thought about it before. Does anyone know if it requires special care?

The product I have used over and over, and is adored by everyone who has received a quilt backed with it, is advertised as Minky Cuddle by Shannon Fabrics. It is 100% polyester and washes and dries like a dream. When I have had it long armed on larger quilts, my quilter said she has had no problem with it. When I make smaller children's quilts, I glue baste it with Elmer's School Glue and quilt it myself. I have never had so much as a wrinkle in the backing. I purchase it at quiltedtreasures.net, and it costs about $18 per yard. It is 60" wide. It comes in a huge variety of colors from black to the palest pink. They even carry a zebra print. I have never used any other brand, so I can't speak to them, but this fabric is fantastic. If you live in the Minneapolis area, the Quilted Treasures shop is in Rogers. I do not work for them. I'm just a very satisfied customer.

Teresa,
Minky is a bit tricky to work with as it is stretchy and also sheds as it's sewn. If you're not too concerned about stitch formation & consistency, the only thing I'd recommend is cleaning out your bobbin at every change plus whenever the machine is misbehaving.
I do think it's a difficult fabric for newbie quilters to work with, but many people do with varying results.

I toss all cut minky in the dryer on air dry to get rid of the fuzz. It really makes a difference.

Thanks for the tip Onebyone. I just had to comment that, as of this afternoon, almost 25,000 people viewed this post, but only 23 responded. A lot of people must be curious about Minky!

Silky soft polyester fleece fabric. Wonderful in quilts, for backings and I love using it for appliqué

I really love the feel of minky -- I just finished a scrappy quilt for myself and put minky on the back. I purchased from Fabric.com and it was 90" wide. It was $18 a yard but it is wide and very snuggly so I didn't mind paying that. My experience is that the minky washes and dries great

I love the feel of Minky, too, but I can't say I like it. It makes me sweat.

no one has mentioned this, but since Minky and Minky type products are 100% poly, watch your iron temp! A hot setting will melt it! I've long armed it--there is definitely some stretch so I make sure to load it so the stretch is horizontal and have no problems. It sure is soft!

Not a big deal bringing up an older topic especially if we learn something.

take a look at the Shannon Fabrics Cuddle website. You will drool over the variety of Cuddle ( a Robert Kaufman brand of "minkee").

http://www.shannonfabrics.com/

embossed, faux fur looks, kits, etc

sandy

Treat it like a washable velvet! I would not iron it unless you use a needle board, or it will crush the nap.

Why would you iron it?
Sandy