I have 3 very" rough" quilt tops that I got at a thrift store. One is made from fabric samples. The other 2 are pieced. I have backing for them but don't want to have a lot of money in the "batting" since I will be practicing machine quilting with them. They will probably end up being car quilts or packing quilts. I was thinking of finding an inexpensive blanket or flannel sheet to use for the "batting". Does anyone have any other suggestions?

I have used the cheap (like 2-3 dollars a yard), plain fleece at Wal-Mart or Joann's. If it's not wide enough I will zig zag stitch it together. It's very easy to sew through though, so I might not use that for both the quilts you are making if you are looking to practice with them. You might want to use it for the first just to get used to the motion of quilting, but then you might want to bite the bullet and get batting (maybe using a coupon at joanns) that you'll normally use for quilts to do the other. I have found that if you don't use the real thing for practice, it's not the same thing once you're ready to really try it. Like I have tried practicing on a 12 inch square, and I do great! But that's a whole heck of a lot easier to maneuver than a full size quilt, so while it's good practice for the motion, it's not good practice for the actual feel.

Good luck!
Rachel

When my oldest was "baking", I was doing some painted embroidered squares. Got them done and my mom sewed them together for a top. Didn't have anything for the batting, so mom had an old blanket and we used that. We used a sheet for the backing.
I've since have gone in a pinch and bought cheap blankets for batting in quilts that I know will be used for car trips and for those that will just trash the quilt within a few months. Would get the blankets at thrift stores for just a few dollars.

Oh, and my daughters that I made? It's still going strong 28 years later......

i have used both flannel sheets and regular flat sheets for filling and backing. I even used an old wool army blanket instead of batting.
There are no rules in quilting..or quilt police. :)

during the fall and winter you can usually find new cheap blankets at the store from twin to queen sizes, for around 5-10 dollars,usually at walmart-kmart

When I first started making rag quilts, I used cheap blankets from Walmart. They are very warm and holding up great.

I often find gently used blankets or 'sheet blankets' at yard sales, Goodwill, etc. I try to make sure they are not real thick because of the quilting to got through it. I have to be way more frugal than ever before in my adult life, so if I find fabrics that are blanket like, I get them wherever I can. They hold up well.

Hugs

I have used flannel and it works well, but nothing says you have to have anything in the middle. "Summer quilts" can be made with just top and back.

Thanks, watterstide, for the idea. I know of someone who might be ready to get rid of a few of these. I know the wear like iron!

My mother past away a yr ago. They had a travel traveler - which meant they had doubles and triples of everything. I have been using her old blankets - double give back - memories and recyling at the same time.