Backing pro's & con's

[sewelegant]

There's several posts now about backings, cuddly quilts, etc. Can someone tell us the pro's/con's of each of our options? For example: (totally making this up) Flannel - use this with no batting if you want it to be XXX, or use with Warm & Natural and it will do this.

I hate wasting time & money making a quilt & it's pretty, but not the way I want it to feel. There's so many excellent quilters here, we need your opinions!

[verenaerin]

In my experience, everybody loves minky, but it is a pain to work with. Flannel can make a nice backing, the draw back is if your top is cotton. Both layers will shrink at a different rate. So I think most suggest you wash the flannel before using it.

Quilts soften with washings and time. I have a quilt I made about 5 years ago and it is the softest thing. It's used so often. I made my children quilts last Christmas. It has batting and a flannel back. (I didn't wash it prior=oops). I think they are too stiff. But with time they are softening up.

When I started quilting I had in my head I was making comforters. That's what I thought quilts were. With time I have realized what your expectations should be with quilts and with experimentation, figured out how to get the effect I want. You will get there too. (not saying your expectations are the same as mine as far as comforters)

I have always found the best, softest, most comforting quilts are the ones most used and worn.

[bec]

There are also other things that determine how your quilt feels besides backing. Keep in mind that the more quilting you do on your quilt, the stiffer it will be. I don't like a lot of quilting in mine, unless it is for a bedspread that is just for decor or small projects like wall hangings, table runners, and such. I also find Warm and Natural batting is stiffer than Quilter's Dream. Someone may differ with me on that. You just need to experiment with battings and see what you think. I've order some Quilter's Dream Orient that I've heard has a wonderful softness and drape. I'm anxious to try it out. Good luck on your search for the quilt you are desiring.

[coffeebreak]

I use a t hin batting...can't remember all the names, but a 80/20 blend and of course, since my budget dictates what I buy, I wait for sales. But I have decided i like the thinner battings over the thicker ones. The thicker ones are puffy and all, but using a quilt made with one is kind of cumbersome and they quilt is not that "soft" and cuddly. And those I make for like them cuddley so I stick with that. Plus, I have used fleece for the back and NO batting and that turns out really soft and cuddly. I have used flannel for the batting and htat work for soft and cuddley too..however...flannel usually shrinks so I pre wash it 2-3 times...on wam and dry on warm so it shrinks most it can...so plan on buying twice what you need! That is what made me switch to the fleece for the back...thick enough to "hide" the seams thickness of the front and provide thickness, while being soft and cudley. ANd too...what is the quilt going to be used for? If used for more a blanket..make it thinner and softer. If used as a comforter or bed spread..make it thicker and a bit stiffer.

[Midge]

Cheri thanks for your guidance. I've wondered this as well. As a new quilter I first bought Warm and Natural for 3 reasons, first it was cotton, second, I knew the brand name from home dec sewing and felt comfortable with the quality, and third a 50% off coupon at Joann's. Since then I bought a Hobbs 80/20 and it seems a little more drapy. But neither quilt has been washed a lot yet. My current and next up projects are living room furniture throws, which I want to feel soft and cuddly. So probably the Hobbs is better for this purpose. Yes? No? Budget is a consideration.

Another related question, although I am not trying to hijack this thread. I like the look of the densely quilted FMQ designs for certain quilts. It's really beautiful. But doesn't that make the quilt more stiff? It just seems like some of the very decorative designs are more suited to a piece you want to be a bed cover and look lovely but not necessarily be snuggly. Any guidance? (Not that I am ready for that type of quilting. That would be in the not so near future, lol.)

[Cathy F]

I live in an area that gets cold winters. So for all my personal quilts I choose flannel for the backing. There are different grade flannels out there and some do shrink and need to be pre washed. However, I find flannel made by Moda is a good quality and have never pre washed any of them and have never had a problem with shrinkage

[easyquilts]

When I first started quilting, I used nothing but Warm & White..... Some of those quilts were backed with flannel, and were a little stiff at first,

A few years ago, I discovered Mountain Mist's Cream Rose, and never looked back! MMCR is thin, very, very soft, and has a nice drape. It's great for hand quilting.... It works well with flannel backing, too.

I always buy my batting at JoAnn's, with coupons.

The best....and softest....baby quilt I ever made was backed with Minky.... I can't remember if there was batting in it or not. All I know is that my 8yo grandson, Andrew, still loves it.....and it is super soft.

[sewlucky]

Is Mountain Mist Cream Rose a poly cotton blend??

Terri

When I first started quilting, I used nothing but Warm & White..... Some of those quilts were backed with flannel, and were a little stiff at first,

A few years ago, I discovered Mountain Mist's Cream Rose, and never looked back! MMCR is thin, very, very soft, and has a nice drape. It's great for hand quilting.... It works well with flannel backing, too.

I always buy my batting at JoAnn's, with coupons.

The best....and softest....baby quilt I ever made was backed with Minky.... I can't remember if there was batting in it or not. All I know is that my 8yo grandson, Andrew, still loves it.....and it is super soft.

[vchale]

This has been talked about before but warm and natural/white is not 100% cotton. If you don't read the fine print you would think it was. I have used that and Hobbs 80/20. I like them both but I only machine quilt. Definitely if you are going for softer you want to limit the amount of quilting and cotton will get softie the more it's washed. I make sure to tell the mothers when I gift baby quilts that they are meant to be used and washed often.

[sewelegant]

Keep the opinions coming, ladies. This is how we newer quilters learn. I figure there's no reason for everyone of us to invent the wheel, we'll learn from others experiences! Thanks, everbody.