1. Home
  2. Quilting Forum
  3. Feece as Backing Question (longish)

Feece as Backing Question (longish)

Hi,

My younger sister was in town briefly and stopped by my place. Of course my dining room table had my huge cutting mat and quilty stuff covering it. She starts asking me questions about quilting. She had just bought a sewing machine and a book and fabric for a quilt. (She is very spontaneous.) I learn that she wants to make a queen sized pinwheel quilt for her first project. Nothing like starting big :) And she tells me that she bought fleece to use as the backing.

She said that she did not like the book that she bought- she said she couldn't understand it and that she was returning it. So I gave her a quick pattern for a pinwheel block, explained making HST, and loaned her my copy of A Quilter's Complete Guide by Fons and Porter. I told her if she had any questions to call or email me for help.

Well, I was just thinking about her project, and I wonder how people who use fleece as backing finish the edges of their quilts. Do you stitch and turn, birth, or bind? I know how to bind a regular quilt but I have never worked with fleece in a quilt. Any help or methods are welcome.

I guess we have another quilter-in-training now.

Thanks and happy stitching,

Julie Richmond, VA

Reply to
<silverbellsXXX
Loading thread data ...

The one that's on my daybed in my sewing room (not the study, the sewing room!) is a 3-rail fence done in pastel poly-cotton and backed with white fleece. I birthed this baby and tied her and she is wonderful. So simple yet so cute and very very snuggley. Hmmmm might have to make another one as I've just been given another 2 bags of fabric scraps. Maybe a scrappy fence? Or a scrappy nine-patch? Or maybe I'd best finish Wayne's quilt first.

Reply to
Sharon Harper

I've done both with fleece.

In a birthed quilt, I just make a bag and turn it. Clip the corners before you turn. Poke 'em out with a pointing thing (I use the tips of my scissors, but that's dangerous if they are sharp).

The other way, I back it, tie it off, and then pull the extra fleece over the front and use it as binding.

Merry Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once

formatting link

Reply to
MerryStahel

Yeah I noticed that I missed the L in fleece up there the first time. Thanks for the input. I think that birthing it might be the way to go. I hope that she wants to tie it or maybe SITD by machine. I just want to be ready with some answers or knowledge before she gets to that point.

Thanks again!

Julie Richmond, VA

Reply to
<silverbellsXXX

You loaned her your Fons & Porter? Boy, you trust your sister a whole lot more than I trust any of mine.

Reply to
Ruth in Happy Camp

Umm from what I can remember (and remember I was new to the SM when I made this!) I sorta just sewed to about 1/4" from the end, turned it, kept going, turned and kept going, etc. When it came time to birth I think I clipped away a bit of the excess fabric around the corners but didn't get too fussy..

Reply to
Sharon Harper

Ooooh sneaky! Thanks for this tip - I'm saving for future reference!!

Reply to
Sharon Harper

I have a quilt basted to fleece, and a few more ready to be basted. Plan to bind with one of the quilt fabrics. But could also bind with fleece, not doubled. Single layer fleece, done as usual. Since fleece won't ravel no need to double it. But I have a feeling the corners might be bulky.

Pati, in Phx

snipped-for-privacy@Xelb.netX wrote:

Reply to
Pati Cook

You can bind them in the exact same way you do with a 'regular' quilt. Fleece is a great backing!

Reply to
LN (remove NOSPAM)

I have lots of customers who use fleece as a backing for kids quilts. Since I won't work on birthed quilts, that means they all do some form of binding, usually an applied binding.

Fleece does quilt up very nicely, and other than making sure it doesn't stretch, doesn't pose any special issues IMHO.

Reply to
Kathy Applebaum

Hi, Julie, I have used fleece on only one quilt, and found that it stretches easily. I would highly recommend using a walking foot if you intend to SITD, as I did. I also quilted first, then bound the edge as usual. It turned out nice and cozy, but don't think I will use it again, unless it is a tied quilt. Come to think of it, it was made before I found spray basting. That may make it easier to control. Nancycog in MD

Reply to
caldwellcog

Related on topic question...

To those of you who use fleece as a quilt backing...do you still use batting?

Marcia Apex, NC snipped-for-privacy@nc.rr.com

Reply to
Marcia Smith

Not really necessary. I think it would make it pretty hot.

Reply to
LN (remove NOSPAM)

Thanks LN. That's what I thought, but figured I would ask just to make sure.

Marcia apex, nc snipped-for-privacy@nc.rr.com

Reply to
Marcia Smith

I agree with LN. A polarfleece backing is very warm and thick, so a batt is not necessary IMHO. Nancycog in MD

Reply to
caldwellcog

I know what you mean! I remember one I birthed that was poofy! I took it apart and bound it.

Reply to
LN (remove NOSPAM)

Nancy, I like the thought of using spray basting but I had trouble with my needle gumming. Do you suppose I used too heavy a hand at spraying? Backing my Linus quilts with fleece could enable me to make more quilts in less time for less $s - but I'm still not sure it's for me. Polly

Reply to
Polly Esther

I have been following this thraed with great interest as I have just finished my first quilt top ( My variation of Chinese coins). As it isn't quite square I have decided to back it with (polar) fleece and try and do some simple quilting in the unpieced sections and bind the edges with the main colour. I will be trying to do the quilting without a walking foot as I don't have $55 rrp to buy one at the moment. If I am not successful without a walking foot the it will be a UFO while I keep working on top #2 Thank you to everyone for your input

Dee in Oz

Reply to
D&D

Polly, I have never had trouble with gummy needles when using spray basting, so I guess you may have "too heavy a hand at spraying". I have had my best results with basting spray. Nancycog in MD

Reply to
caldwellcog

Reply to
Shelly

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.