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    Old 09-17-2025, 09:18 AM
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    Default using a soft poly blanket as a back

    so I'm making a quick lap quilt with a soft poly blanket as a backing, no batting, if i put the right sides together, pin it to death and then sew around the edges, then quick turn it (or I think some people call it birthing) and then sew around the sides will that work?

    I've seen it done with baby blankets....
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    Old 09-17-2025, 09:40 AM
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    It should work just fine -- but how are you going to hold the layers together once you've birthed it?

    Trying to quilt things after being put together like that can be difficult, the fabric squishes and moves but has no where to go since the sides are all sewn. It can be easier to let it squish and move while quilting down, and then squaring it up with a traditional binding around the edge.

    You can do ties (with buttons or other methods) or a simple lap or two of stitching maybe 6 inches from each other/the edge.
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    Old 09-17-2025, 09:52 AM
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    Originally Posted by Iceblossom
    It should work just fine -- but how are you going to hold the layers together once you've birthed it?

    Trying to quilt things after being put together like that can be difficult, the fabric squishes and moves but has no where to go since the sides are all sewn. It can be easier to let it squish and move while quilting down, and then squaring it up with a traditional binding around the edge.

    You can do ties (with buttons or other methods) or a simple lap or two of stitching maybe 6 inches from each other/the edge.
    so maybe just put the wrong sides together, pin it to death and then bind? i can do that. I have zero interest in adhesive sprays
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    Old 09-17-2025, 10:56 AM
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    I would suggest tying it with ties no more than six inches apart after "birthing" it - just to keep it from getting wonky when it's washed.


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    Old 09-17-2025, 11:31 AM
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    Originally Posted by Austinite
    so maybe just put the wrong sides together, pin it to death. and then bind? i can do that. I have zero interest in adhesive sprays
    "insert" quilt it .... between pin it to death ..... and then bind!

    You can quilt by machine or tie it ..... but it needs to be held in place.
    Otherwise, you are back to the problem of it all slip sliding and being a mess!
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    Old 09-17-2025, 01:09 PM
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    Also - wash the fleece before using it.

    I have learned that fleece does shrink - but that was maybe 10-15 years ago. It might b different now.
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    Old 09-17-2025, 01:36 PM
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    Originally Posted by bearisgray
    Also - wash the fleece before using it.

    I have learned that fleece does shrink - but that was maybe 10-15 years ago. It might b different now.
    it's been washed for sure, it's a blanket I got for $4 at a thrift store and it's so soft! thanks so much everyone for all the tips!
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    Old 09-18-2025, 12:09 PM
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    Instead of tying the two layers together, you can also use very small zigzag stitches (set stitch length at 1 or a little less, let needle going in 6 or 8 times at each spot) and space them 6 or 8 inches apart evenly. I've done this on a couple lap quilts that had flannel on the back and no batting, works very well to hold the layers together. I did bind them instead of sewing around the edges, and I pulled the threads up, tied and buried for a little extra security in each stitch.
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    Old 09-18-2025, 02:25 PM
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    Originally Posted by geevee
    Instead of tying the two layers together, you can also use very small zigzag stitches (set stitch length at 1 or a little less, let needle going in 6 or 8 times at each spot) and space them 6 or 8 inches apart evenly. I've done this on a couple lap quilts that had flannel on the back and no batting, works very well to hold the layers together. I did bind them instead of sewing around the edges, and I pulled the threads up, tied and buried for a little extra security in each stitch.
    ooo I love the idea of "machine tying" rather than doing it by hand! thank you!
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