The person who wants me to make a memory quilt of her daughter's toddler clothes gave me the child's first adult bedsheet, which is flannel, to use as backing.
On thinking this over, I'm not sure this is a good idea. But I don't know why!
What do you all think?
I could use some of the flannel in the blocks, so it would be there.
I will be machine quilting this.
TIA!
Martha
You could use it as batting instead, if you wanted to? and if it doesn't have to be heavy and warm. The lady would know it's in there. I am using these for hospital cot quilts for 'batting'. It works beautifully, as they are usually so soft after having been washed for years. . In message , Martha writes
I can't explain it. Flannel backing has never been a problem for me. Might be the difference in the surface of the 'table' of the Bernina v. Viking. My neighbor had the worst battle I ever witnessed trying to quilt a flannel back on her beautiful new Viking Sapphire. The quilt just wouldn't move. I didn't learn any new words but I did hear some used during swing-set assembly. Polly
I suggest you NOT use flannel in the quilt itself! Instead, why not use it for a pillow?
Hey Martha
If that's what the lady wants, then abide by her wishes. I use flannel on my quilts. I've had no problems with it for over 15 years.
As a matter of fact, my family members have requested I use flannel. My sister has the first quilt I made with a flannel backing and its 15 years old.
I used Pledge on the bed of my machine so the flannel will slide effortlessly while I quilt. I also use Polly's suggestion, many years ago, of using some kind of thread lubricant to make the thread less apt to break while quilting.
I lightly spray the batting with silicone to help the needle slide through the batting. I both FMQ on my SM and my machine quilt frame.
Kate T. South Mississippi
I've used flannel for quilt backing and had no problems with quilting them. I would be concerned about using a used flannel sheet for backing because of concern for how it would wear. That would depend on how much the sheet had been used.
Julia > Hey Martha
Howdy!
How old is that sheet? How stretched out? It may be thin in places, not nearly as strong in the middle as along the sides (from many washings); any fraying along the edges? From experience w/ "used bedding" for backing - be careful; it's a good idea to have a stronger backing than an older, used flannel sheet. Using it in the blocks sounds good, if it's as strong as the surrounding fabrics. Good luck!
R/Sandy
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