Daren P

Has anyone ever used alternatives to regular batting? I've seen a few online videos in which the content creators recommend things like flannel or fleece bed sheets, bath towels sewn together, wool blankets, etc. I have some "vintage" polyester yardage that was given to me many years ago. I'm thinking about zig-zagging some of it together to use in the "everyday use" cuddle quilt I'm making for myself. Any thoughts?

Iceblossom

I have done many repurposed items, old green wool army blankets, worn out quilts and other things. A lot of it depends on what you want. Flannel as a middle to give something for the stitches to bite into and hold together is a traditional usage.

I participated in some quilts for the homeless in the Seattle area. That group wanted polyester double knits for its durability and easy wash/dry. There are things to think about with the polys and especially double knits on how you work with them. You might consider an overlap seam for instance, or to serge/zigzag edges. Some are quite stiff and will never soften up! Some works and drapes much nicer than you'd think.

I did a crazy quilt project using "ugly men's ties" especially big wide textured poly ties from the 70s... for the back I used a really interesting piece of double knit. For whatever reasons, my son really loved that quilt and it was his for decades. A lot of the ties have fallen apart (is ok, they were on foundation) but the back is still lovely after all these years of heavy use. That one would have been great as a liner.

edit: I have not been good about updating my profile stuff, but I did find a picture of the back in my album here:
https://www.quiltingboard.com/member...52-622210.html
(you have to be logged in to use the link)

GingerK

If you are thinking of using new flannel, wash and dry more than once, because it will shrink a lot!!!!! The cut edges will probably not be 'straight' if you fold it along the selvedge. That's just the nature of the beast. Gently used flannel sheets are a good option.

Many people will use a piece of fleece for backing and leave out the batting. I made a lap quilt for a friend's 100 year old mother, using a pretty cotton print and a fleece throw for backing. I quilted it on a longarm and bound it. My friend's mother is 102, the lap quilt is in constant use and is holding up well.

I don't know about polyester double knit--I knew it as Fortrell in the day. (I think that was actually a brand name.) For one thing, it doesn't breath at all, for another, it is extremely flammable and will melt if subjected to high heat. My sister made car blankets for all her grandkids and backed them with Fortrell. I think the cars died before the blankets LOL!

AprilM

I have used flannel and fleece - both with and without batting/backing. The ones i liked the best were the top with fleece only, and the top with flannel only.

i was looking for a way to make a summer weight quilt. I noticed some in the quilt history exhibit at a quilt show once. The top was made with mens shirts and the combined backing/batting was just one piece of flannel. So i tried it with a top made with new fabrics and the back with flannel i washed in really hot water a few times. I liked the results. I have learned so much by studying old quilts made during the times that life was harder for people cuz they really knew how to think outside of the box because they had to. I admire that.

cashs_mom

Those who came before us really did know how to make due. I remember my mom taking apart an old quilt my grandmother made out of squares of velvet curtain samples. She was going to replace the binding which was wearing out. When she got it apart, there was an old wool blanket inside that was used as batting. My mother told me that she could remember sitting in the evenings (no TV in the 30's!) and cutting her brother old woolen pants into strips to use as log cabin blocks and sewing them together. She said that they used whatever was available as filler since there was no money for batting. I've always admired how our grandparents and great grandparents used the resources available to create what they needed. No waste!

QuiltE

Flannel ... I have a quilt with a pieced cotton top, cotton backing and flannel as the batting. It's not too heavy in weight, nor in warmth. Nor is it bulky but gives a lovely snuggly feel when draped over you, with or without a bedsheet! Drapes nicely if hanging over the edge of hte bed. I call it a summer quilt, as it is just right when it's warm, but you still want something! Actually it stays on my bed year round along with whatever extra quilts I use.

Fleece ... Used it as an all-in-one backing/batting with a pieced top. Good and warm because of the poly-fleece, but not heavy-weight against the body. With time, use and washings, the fleece has started to break down. While it is still nice and soft and snuggly, it is just not as soft and pettable if you KWIM? Just the way that some fleeces go with use. Quilted it on my DSM but found it would bind/stick on the machine bed. Solved that problem by flipping the quilt over, and quilted with the fleece on top.

Old Blankets ... Was given a lap quilt years ago with an old wool blanket as the batting. It was always the top favourite fought after family room quilt year round. The quilt had been hand tied, and I am not so sure it would have been as loved by all, if it had been machine quilted. The hand tying did it's job of holding it all together ... but kept the quilt nice and flexible, IOW snuggly!

Wool Batting ... My winter bed quilt has a commercial wool batting. Because I have loved all along, this winter I have been thinking of making a summery floral quilt, with a wool batting. So now ... you have me thinking of using some of my wool blankets as battings in upcoming quilts! Why Not?

Poly Yardages and Poly Double Knits ... A couple of add-ons, for you to consider before deciding to use these sorts of fabrics. Yes, I used the poly-fleece recognizing the risks! And we all have lots of other polyester/artificial fibres throughout our homes. Another concern I have in polyester-anythings is the pilling that happens. My 1st quilt was a QIAD with a polyester backing; also, the sashings for coordination. I was a naive newbie, so just went with what the quilt store recommended. Their reasonings were the quilt would slide easier when making the bed etc. Yes, it slid nicely and because of the poly the colour stayed true. What I did not like, was how with time, the fabric started to pill, because of the poly content.

Trial Run ... You could always do a trial run, making a small quilt, whether lap size or a smaller table topper or whatever, and see what you think!

QuiltE

Oh for The Stories Our Quilts could tell!! Wouldn't we all love to know?

toverly

I really like making a top with a fleece backing. No batting. It's become harder with Joanne's gone. But I look for sales. I have yet to make a fleece blanket back but that is a wonderful idea