Your Softest Backing...
 

Hi!

So far, what has been your softest backing? I'm making rag quilts right now. And I'm looking for a very soft backing for them.

Thanks!

Siusan

When I'm going for soft, I usually got for an all-cotton flannel backing. Hasn't dissapointed so far.

For rag quilts I use 3 layers of flannel, no batting. They're extremely soft and flexible, and there's no need for quilting since all 3 layers are stitched into the seams.

That would have to be polar fleece for me. It comes in many colours and weights. I use it for most of my quilts which are nearly all made to be used and washed often.

softest was some sort of fleece I found at a discount fab store..still love Minkee. Have had no trouble quilt it on frame

I truly love quilter's cotton, but have had many tell me that they like flannel on the back because it feels "softer".

Of course, all of us know that what you start with isn't always what you end up with. It depends how densely you quilt, what type of thread you use to quilt (or if you hand tie) & what you use for batting. My personal bias is that there is nothing like the feel of quilter's cotton with a higher loft cotton batt (Warm & Plush, for me) that is quilted 1-2" apart. That warm, wrinkly fabric draped around me or my loved ones is so cozy & comforting.

I would really encourage you to see if you can't find some completed quilts with different backings at your LQS or guild to actually feel as a completed product before deciding what you think is the "softest" choice for material. There are many different choices -- felted wool, flannel, minky, traditional cotton ... or even some non-traditional options like fleece, cotton chenille, dupioni silk, or satin. If you ask 10 different people, you may well get 6 different answers; the only opinion that matters is yours.

I haven't seen or heard anybody using minkee on the back of a rag rug quilt probably because it doesn't ravel like flannel does.

Minky has some crazy soft options that I have used for backings. There are some wonderful flannels out there as well

I back my rag quilts with good quality flannel: it softens beautifully and rags/frays great.....had a friend who used minky as a backing for a rag quilt and I seem to recall she was disappointed because it didn't fray but then figured it was a good trade off for a very silky soft backing. Cheap flannel won't fray or soften as nicely so it is worth paying for good quality flannel.

good quality flannel and hobbes heirloom wool in the middle. hell yes.

aileen

Thanks to everyone for their answers! I have a soft flannel already. So I may use it. I was just wondering if there was anything else out there.

Thanks again!

Hi Aileen,

for lightweight quilts I use a silk batting. Hobbs... And for something warm in the winter I use bamboo. It really holds in the body heat.

Susan

For raggy quilts definitely flannel! Fleece and minkie do not fray for raggy quilts. I have backed some regular pieced quilts ( not raggy) with minkie- it is very soft-- just not a good choice for raggies

Marley,

I'll have to check out Polar Fleece. JoAnns should have it.

Susan

I've made many rag quilts, and usually just use 2 layers of flannel with no batting, but I did make one with flannel for top, minkee for back. I ordered the pre-cut minkee squares, was messy to work with, but came out very nice!

Minky's as soft as soft gets.

Minkee & fleece are soft but they won't fray for rag quilts. I would only use good quality flannel for the back of rag quilts. Or of course, just cotton.

Do you wash your fabric and the flannel before sewing or quilting it. Thanks.

Ditto polar fleece ... lots of colors and patterns, 60 inches wide, and very snuggly

The softest was a minkee.

I use Minky on the back of most of mine. I do two layers of flannel just a plain white or contrast color for the middle. Since Minky does not rag I trim it very thinly and let the two layers of flannel do the ragging. I much prefer its softness over just three layers of flannel and so have the people I have gifted them two but that's just our opinion.

I use two layers of flannel for my rag quilts and do not use anything in the middle. Of course it is here in Arizona and that seems to be enough to keep cosy.

Can I ask: does the Minky wash and wear well? Curious because quilt will be washed a lot, and plush soft toys that we have seem not to wear very well...

I made both of my grand kids a rag quilt with flannel and Minky. I used two layers of flannel and one layer of Minky. I used a good quality of flannel and Minky. The quilt ragged nicely and the kids love their quilts. They have been washed many times and still look great. They love them for the warm and cuddly feel and drag them all over the house and even used them when we went camping.

Thank you for that SherriB, it's reassuring!