nhweaver

I would recommend prewashing flannel, but I only dry in the dryer for a few minutes then I air dry and iron it. It gets too soft for me to work with if it doesn't have some body. Make the pieces kind of large, i like the missouri pattern on youtube - works well with flannel and will work with all the patterns. Also, flannel creates tons of dust bunnies - so clean out the bobbin area frequently. Here is the pattern it is fun and easy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxC-0...eature=related

Holice

I like to think "respect the nature of the fabric" and handle accordingly. I sometime use blends but have to be careful as they can even shrink with a hot dry iron as they tent to "melt" somewhat. So just be careful in handling.
Some years ago a blend of cotton and rayon was readily available and worked good in quilts. I try to keep the weight somewhat consistent. 80% poly and 20% cotton is especially difficult sometime when used with 100% cotton.
So just handle according to the needs of the fabric. Those poly/cotton fabrics of the 80's are still holding up in both color and stability.

#1piecemaker

Looks like you've already got some really good answers to your question. I just prefer woring with cotton. My MIL used to use polyester knits and double knits. The quilts were heavy for one thing. Cotton is light weight.

barri1

I agree with orangeroom.. Flannel, if it's not a high quality will look like it's not high quality.. I backed a bunch of quilts with flannel sheets, and they came out very nice.. I bought the sheets at a thrift store.. They were new, and donated by Kohls.. I bought flannel that I thought was nice for a rag quilt, and after a few washings, the quilt is upsetting to look at.. The kid doesn't mind, but I do.. I have a problem with the burgandy running, and will be trying Retayne on it..
Barri

Lori S

Quilting has its origins in re- using/puposing fabrics that had come from sources that had outlived its usefunless. Bits of useful fabric was salvages/recovered from garments or any source and often combined with bits of "new" scrap fabrics. Use what you like , but do some research on fibers contents as different fiber content requires differnent care and can impact the contruction methods used.
As with all fabrics , there are various qualites available. Price its not always an indicator of quality. Some lower quality fabric does not reveal itself until washed or until its been used a few times. Flannel is particularly difficult to distingush high quality from low. Having been "burned" by bad flannel at all ends of the price spectrum , I now avoid it.

QuiltE

As others have said ... you need to do what you want!
Consider the length of use of the quilt ... being for a 7yo, it may live a life of TLC or it may live a drag around and into everything life! It may be wanted only for a short few years while she has that interest, or it may be one that is kept throughout her life and eventually used by her children.

You maybe just want to throw it together, anything goes. And yet, you may be wanting to make it with the care and respect as though it will be a heritage keeper.

We really can't tell you ... only you know what you want!

Some further thoughts ... a 7yo just may adore the quilt all the more with a minkee backing or a fleece. The "cuddlyness" of either could be beyond belief! And the colour choices almost endless. Each has their pros and cons.

Fabrics with polyester are more apt to pill ... again, is this really a concern that would negate the use? Only you know what it would mean to you and the owner.

For backings ... if you want a quilt to slide around a little more, a backing with some polyester will move more freely than a plain cotton or a cotton flannelette, as they "stick" more. More of a consideration for large bedspread quilts than for child size, as it makes it easier to make the bed when shifting a large mass around.

Michellesews

I have used flannel backing many times, it is nice because it is warm and the quilt will not "walk" off the bed. Some quilts are made of wool, and a lot of other fabrics. Polyester blends are a bit of a problem becuase they don't shrink or stretch the same as cotton, but I have quilted quilts where poly-blend was used, don't like it, but it is used.

nycquilter

alternate opinion alert. I *know* I *should* prewash flannel. I don't. I don't prewash anything. I just washed a quilt that was flannel on the back and it came out fine. No bleeding, no excessive shrinkage. And you can mix fabrics, most just don't. And mixing on the top is as okay as using a different fabric/fiber on teh back. Do what you like. That's the point of this hobby/avocation/passion. at least, IMHO

nycquilter

oh, yeah, another reason for not using anything but cotton is how it feels to the person using and making the quilt. I hate the feel of some fabrics. And then, there is also the quilting. If handquilting, some poly fabrics are really difficult.

Pieces2

Fabrics shrink differently, flannel fabric will shrink a lot more than 100% cotton fabrics, which will cause distortion on your quilt top. The reason for using 'all' 100% cottons, or 'all' flannels. Really important reason to prewash fabrics.