I am hoping for some advice. I am just going to give a little back-story for my new followers.
My new slogan is, Love It, Buy It, and then USE IT!! No more saving for the right project. I will always fall in love with a new fabric line.
My favorite fabric is
Katie Jump Rope by Denyse Schmidt.
So no more hoarding.
Step one get it out!
Next cut into 5 inch squares.
Now the fun really started. I decided to make this king size and to
piece it all by hand! I love to do handwork.
So it went from two patches to four to eight and so and so on
until it was 120 inches by 109 inches.
Today was the perfect day to take pictures as the snow was reflecting through the windows.
So here is the top, flimsy, you get the idea!
Now, advice please!
I want this to be a summer quilt. Not heavy, but to feel like a sheet.
Here is my brainstorm of an idea!
Now do not laugh, this is the flannel I am going to use for the back.
Yep, pink roses!
Here it comes...
I was not going to use batting! Gasp!
Just quilt the top and flannel.
Do you think it will work?
Should I scratch the flannel and just use a cotton backing with no batting?
Do I need batting?
This top will also be quilted by hand.
Thank you for any advice.
And please be honest, I need help!!
Thank you!
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI think the flannel will be fine, but be sure to wash and put in the dryer before using. I would use a synthetic batting, high loft. Would make it easier to hand quilt.
The flannel may be harder to hand quilt thru as it is thicker. The high loft batting will be light weight, so would be good for summer use.
Very nice quilt, congratulations on all the hand piecing, I never would have done it myself, it would become a moldy UFO!
Take care, Leslie
Take care, Leslie
If you do a "batting" I'd use a muslin. Before I read you had a flannel for the back, but after you said you wanted it more summer weight, I immediately thought of using flannel for the batting... so why not the reverse? Quilt top, muslin, flannel.
ReplyDeleteDon't know about hand quilting, but I would maybe use a very thin flannel as a batting and a cotton or thin sheet for the backing. Thus to keep it lightweight and summer feeling.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that this is all hand-pieced and will be quilted by hand!
ReplyDeleteI think that you do not need to use batting for a summer weight quilt and that the flannel will give it a nice drape and make it soft and cozy and give it just the extra cuddle it will need without the batting.
Also, this is your quilt ... it will be just perfect however you decide to finish it.
Afterall, you have gotten it this far ... big and beautiful ... enjoy the rest of the journey to bring it home ... :) Pat
Just the flannel or with the muslin will work out well for keeping the quilt light weithg. It looks great so far
ReplyDeleteIm thinking, if it a summer quilt, use a flannel instead of batting and then use cotton for the back. Will be thin and still stable.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt!
Yes, very beautiful quilt - I would suggest Thermore or QuiltLite batting - beautiful for hot Australian weather ans so cuddly too!
ReplyDeleteHugs - Lurline.
I use flannel for my "batting" all the time and it has wonderful drape. I don't prewash as I like the crinkle from machine quilting -but for tied I might recommend you prewash. You could go with no batting and just the flannel - the only thing I would double check is where you have your light fabrics if the print from the flannel shows through - I think your top fabrics look dark enough that you should be ok - but if you do get some show through, then you might want a light muslin in the middle to diffuse that. Looks great!
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother used flannel sheets for batting and cotton on the back. I always remember loving those quilts when I was a child. She always tied them and they were the everyday quilts.
ReplyDeleteI would think the flannel might be too much for a summer quilt? I would use a thin batting, just enough to give your stitches some texture and it wouldn't be too hot?
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Jane I have made summer quilts just as you propose making this one with no batting. The quilt police would have you think that a quilt isn't a quilt without 3 layers but at my house there are no police. :) Like Regina though, I'm afraid your pink roses might show through in places on your lighter fabrics so you will need to consider that. I love a light weight flannel for a backing - even in summer the air conditioning means that flannel feels a bit cuddly, just perfect. If you are concerned about the color showing through then consider using muslin as your "batting" and then your beautiful roses as the backing. blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteJane, I think flannel is too warm for summer. I would use a sheet or just muslin. I don't know about you but I get too warm in the summer.
ReplyDeleteI have not hand quilted anything so I can't comment on that part. However I have made summer weight quilts. Several of them. Pieced cotton to and flannel back works (for sure) Prewash the flannel :-) Experience talking here. The other thing I have done is pieced cotton top, flannel back and muslin as batting (I would also prewash the muslin-again, experience talking). I absolutely love my summer weights!
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing...this wonderful bright and cheerful quilt is hand pieced...what an accomplishment. Love the idea of a summer quilt....I like the idea of just flannel and just the two layers. Would be perfect for a summer's eve. Well done! .
ReplyDeleteYou have lot's of advice here - so I'm just going to say - GREAT QUILT!!
ReplyDeleteLove all those bright colors in the new quilt. Hmmmm, I love the pink roses but wonder if it'll be too warm for a summer quilt?? That would be the question that begs to be answered. If you decide on the flannel, I'm sure you'll prewash it as flannel shrinks quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteI love getting into the USE IT UP mode! So productive! I also love the idea of using a flannel and no batting for this quilt! I am sure you know this already and others have advised it as well, but make sure to wash the flannel first! This will make a wonderful summer quilt!
ReplyDeleteMGM
OOoo just love a summer quilt out on the porch, on those cool nights...cannot wait for the weather to change!
ReplyDeleteA nice flannel on the back would be just perfect & I agree about the fabric showing thru...
So,Have you decided yet :) i'm sure it will be a lovely keepsake.
hugs,
susie
Of course your backing has to be pink! (it's your signature color)
ReplyDeleteLove the top, and your motto. I didn't know you hand pieced. Wow!
:) hey i'll do this all the time!!! my triplet baby quilt are made with a patchwork top and a flannel back without bating because i didn't want it to be too heavy! Love the flannel size for a bed quilt so nice on my nose! :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful quilt top jane...
you know what!!! i'm following you... this week (well maybe longer) I'm handquilting my owl baby quilt and used crayola to drew cute owl... i'm anxious to finishe it but have to say i love handquilting! thank's to you
My thought is it needs that third layer to help keep all those seams in tact. But what do I know. Only my third year as a quilter. I have used drapery interlining which is a very thin flannel like fabric for the batting in several quilts. Very thin and light. Great job! I agree with you. This year I am really trying to use up my stash.
ReplyDeleteI'd use a cotton for the back and flannel for the batting to keep it as a cooler quilt. But, if you really want flannel for the back, I have used it as a backing for fabric as a baby quilt. Wash that flannel first or it will shrink too much.
ReplyDeleteI think if you want to have some dimension to your stitching then I would put muslin inside and cotton outside. It all depends on how hot it gets where your summer is. The cotton feels good against your skin. If you just want the muslin and the cotton top and the muslin the go for it.
ReplyDeleteWow-that is a lot of hand piecing. Well done! They say that experience is the best teacher. You have lots of suggestions. Why not try a little doll quilt/tray topper in the same fabrics and see how you like the results?
ReplyDeleteI know it will be great I have done in a Quilt for my GD is lovely , light and soft, I did not wash the flannel first.
ReplyDeleteI love what you have done with the fabrics!!
I love love your top! I love scrappy quilts, though. I love the roses on the flannel, but not sure how I would do it. I know cotton batting may be too heavy for what you are wanting, but not sure I would use a high loft anything, though.
ReplyDeleteThink the flannel back will be wonderful! I always loved flannel blankets in the summer. Love the scrappy top!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful fabric, beautiful quilt. I would go with the flannel backing. It`s a little more luscious. We have hot summers and air conditioning can give you a chill. Love that little bit of flannel!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about using new fabric! Use what you buy when you buy it. No more dilemma, just go for it!
De-lurking to say that I'm so proud of you for finally using your beloved fabrics. You are much more brave than I am.
ReplyDeleteI still have my "hoard" section. I'm so weak!!!!!
WELLLLLLL., i LOVE the roses but I think it would show through..I would go solid white or bone...and you did allllll that by hand and it is perfect...ok, as a summer quilt with no such thing as quilt police...if there were, I would already be in jail....lol so my few cents for what is worth is keep the roses for a future pink gingham quilt perhaps lol
ReplyDeleteJane, I am making a quilt the exact same way. I don't have the flannel yet, but my plan is to just quilt it to the flannel. That's it. So I say go for it and if you like the roses, that's fine too. My new motto is two sides, two different looks.
ReplyDeleteI think it will work just fine! Just be sure to wash the flannel first because it will shrink. And, in my humble opinion, I would tie at the intersection of each square instead of quilting it. I think tying suits the look of it better. That's my 2 cents, anyway.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Marlene!! However, I make baby quilts for the NICU all the time with just a flannel back and no batting and they are so nice, thin and perfect!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Gmama jane
Lots of advice already Jane and I can't really add to it... go with what makes you happy, but remembering the technical advice given. On really hot nights (like 25C+) we leave our a/c on which can become too cool around 4am but no one will get up to turn it off.
ReplyDeleteI just love that you pulled those lovely fabrics out of hiding... such a cheerful quilt! Makes me happy just looking at it. Hope you are well...
I have never used flannel as a backing for a quilt but I have used polar fleece, without any batting and it worked beautifully. Make sure you stretch the fabrics so that there is no buckling or puckers and I am sure it will turn out beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI have no advice to offer, so sorry, but it looks like lots of other wonderful quilters do. Good luck with whatever you choose.
ReplyDeleteI think the flannel will work great since you are not using batting. How did you piece that so quickly by hand? It would take me forever! Beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteI have used flannel as a backing with no batting and as a batting with a cotton backing. Both turned out fine. I have also used a light fleece for the backing with no batting for a lightweight summer quilt. Love the cheeriness of your quilt top! Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteI love the quilt Jane and am amazed it is all by hand too! Here is my advice... I personally would use regular weight cotton for the back and the Quilter's Dream Request loft cotton batting. This will make for better quilting and will be an extremely ultra light quilt.
ReplyDeleteThere are many hawaiian quilts and antique quilts that have no batting and are hand quilted. I am not sure about using a flannel, just to let you know through experience hand quilting is not great with flannel, you could do a big stitch which I think would be just charming for this quilt if you are using flannel, there are many quilts without batting though and have held up through many years.
ReplyDeleteI t would depend on the flannel--its not all the same. if its a thick flannel then it would hand quilt fine, if its a thin flannel,I would use a bamboo batting, it needles so nice...
ReplyDeleteI agree about the difficulty needling the flannel. I would definitely wash it first and try quilting a sample sandwich with the cotton from the top and the flannel. I love the idea of just the flannel back just not sure about hand quilting it. Oh by the way your top is really looking good.
ReplyDelete