Soft Backing, Combed Cotton?

Sherry, do you have any experience quilting with Minkee? (Which is not to be confused with 'names look and sound like' but honest-to-goodness Minkee.) It is the hands down absolute softest stuff I've ever found. There's something about rubbing your hands or cheeks across it that is just instantly soothing. Also - I have serious misgivings about using white for the backing. There's a time and place for white but just generally speaking, it is not a very practical idea. I sense a lot of anxiety in your post. Perhaps it would be better not to make any decisions until you're gotten yourself together. So very sorry; holding you close. Polly

Sherry, let me tell you about the Minkee that our Polly has mentioned. A long time back I asked about the Minkee being talked about on this group. Polly sent me about an 8 inch square of blue Minkee so I could see and feel just what it is. I could not get over the wonderful feel of this material. And now I will tell you my guilty secret. I still have that little square of Minkee. I've taken it with me on many trips to the hospital and keep it in my robe pocket at home. On really bad nights I've wrapped it over my hand and sleep with it against my cheek. On bad days I just sit and stroke it. I have no idea what it is about that stuff but has magical comforting, soothing properties in my opinion. If it all possible make the backing with Minkee. You are not overstating the importance of this at all. That quilt will be VERY important to you *and* your sister. Use some nice, soft, magical Minkee, Sherry. It will be the best decision you've ever made.

Val

My DH once observed that turning teeny scraps into organized geometry was my way of feeling in control of my life. So go for perfection if it makes you feel better! Whatever works!

I have used combed cott>I am making a hug quilt of sorts. It's a small quilt for my SIL who is

I'd definitely reconsider using white. This is likely to be a quilt that gets a lot of use and white will show any soil more easily. If you want soft, try a nice flannel. Or skip the batting and back with fleece. The Hobbs poly should be fine. If the batting is too thick, it gets hard to quilt and may not be as drapable as a thinner batting would.

Julia > I am making a hug quilt of sorts. It's a small quilt for my SIL who is

Howdy!

Amen to the backing; combed cotton is a nice addition; don't worry about keeping the lines straight, esp. on the backing. ;-) The Hbbs poly batting is sturdy enough while not being bulky, and makes a comfy quilt. Esp. good for this kind of project, when the user (patient) wants the warmth of the quilt, not the weight. I like the Hobbs Thermore for this, too. Would not add the Mt.Mist. Give yourself a moment to breathe, relax, then make the quilt; Finished w/ your love will make it perfect.

Good luck and best wishes to your SIL, and to all the family and friends who go thru' this with her. R/Sandy

Thanks for all your replies and wonderful suggestions. Roberta is right; I think I've obsessed about this so much because somewhere I think I can put order back into chaos by painstakingly creating order out of tiny pieces of fabric. I don't mean to ramble on and on OT, but I am just in such a state of shock. Our family was charmed, I thought. None of us ever had cancer. It was sort of like, "It's a lump, but it's not cancer." . . . . "It's cancer, but it's localized and they'll get it right out of there." ...... all the way to finding out that it has spread to the chest cavity, lymph nodes, and neck and is not operarable. Too much information, I know; and I'll stop now but I am still in the stage where I know I'm going to get a phone call telling me it's all just a dreadful mistake. White probably is a bad idea. I may see if it comes in another color and will cop a feel of the magical Minkee while I'm there. Thank you so much. I knew about Minkee but was kind of scared of it and afraid it would stretch too bad and I woldn't know how to properly use it. Thanks all Sherry

Sherry, I only know two tricks for Minkee and they are not nearly as complex as Kathyl mitering piping. One: cutting Minkee is much like cutting hair - so you get out the vacuum cleaner before you cut. Two: Minkee will stretch - so you run a length of plain old masking tape along your edge before you cut and stitch. (Don't stitch through the tape. I suppose you could, I just don't what will happen when you try to remove it.) You can tie or quilt Minkee. Neither will show up very much so you don't have to do any exquisite stitching. Polly

"Sherry" Thanks for all your replies and wonderful suggestions. Roberta is right; I think I've obsessed about this so much because somewhere I think I can put order back into chaos by painstakingly creating order out of tiny pieces of fabric. I don't mean to ramble on and on OT, but I am just in such a state of shock. Our family was charmed, I thought. None of us ever had cancer. It was sort of like, "It's a lump, but it's not cancer." . . . . "It's cancer, but it's localized and they'll get it right out of there." ...... all the way to finding out that it has spread to the chest cavity, lymph nodes, and neck and is not operarable. Too much information, I know; and I'll stop now but I am still in the stage where I know I'm going to get a phone call telling me it's all just a dreadful mistake. White probably is a bad idea. I may see if it comes in another color and will cop a feel of the magical Minkee while I'm there. Thank you so much. I knew about Minkee but was kind of scared of it and afraid it would stretch too bad and I woldn't know how to properly use it. Thanks all Sherry

Just a head's up on Minkee. IT SHEDS all over the place. You can control 2 sides of it by NOT cutting the binding off until it is attached to the quilt. (Harder to cut off then but so much LESS of a linty mess in your room.) Also, for the first washing, check the lint filter often. I've worked with it once and wasn't crazy about the extra 'labor' involved.

Thanks for all your replies and wonderful suggestions. Roberta is right; I think I've obsessed about this so much because somewhere I think I can put order back into chaos by painstakingly creating order out of tiny pieces of fabric. I don't mean to ramble on and on OT, but I am just in such a state of shock. Our family was charmed, I thought. None of us ever had cancer. It was sort of like, "It's a lump, but it's not cancer." . . . . "It's cancer, but it's localized and they'll get it right out of there." ...... all the way to finding out that it has spread to the chest cavity, lymph nodes, and neck and is not operarable. Too much information, I know; and I'll stop now but I am still in the stage where I know I'm going to get a phone call telling me it's all just a dreadful mistake. White probably is a bad idea. I may see if it comes in another color and will cop a feel of the magical Minkee while I'm there. Thank you so much. I knew about Minkee but was kind of scared of it and afraid it would stretch too bad and I woldn't know how to properly use it. Thanks all Sherry

Sherry: Sometimes we make quilts for friends and family and have the luxury of dawdling over each and every decision. Color, size, texture, and such ... each requires a few days or weeks to resolve. Sometimes the best way we can make a quilt is to finish it and deliver it quickly! I think you need to go with speed this time. Make it simple, make it cheerful, get it made quickly and present it with love. Flannel, either on both sides, or just on back, is nice and snuggly, and the learning curve is nil. You may even find a pretty panel for the front ... add a border or two, and you will have a delightful quilt. Meantime, I'm sending prayers and good thoughts for the SIL. Pat in Virginia, USA