How close to quilt with flannel "batting"
#1
How close to quilt with flannel "batting"
I'm making my sister a Christmas quilt. She likes things lightweight and we live in Florida. So after reading here I decided in flannel for the batting.
How far apart can I quilt? I was going to do a fmqing with a diagonal swirl/ loop.
Ill try try to post a picture of one I did recently for my grandfather. I think this was about 2 inches apart. She doesn't like e feel of a lot of quilting. She says it would be too stiff.
THanks for for your help!
How far apart can I quilt? I was going to do a fmqing with a diagonal swirl/ loop.
Ill try try to post a picture of one I did recently for my grandfather. I think this was about 2 inches apart. She doesn't like e feel of a lot of quilting. She says it would be too stiff.
THanks for for your help!
#3
I take it there is no batting, just the flannel as a backing?
If that's the case ... you can quilt it as far apart as your little heart desires! Both the top and the backing (flannel) are woven fabrics so they won't shift, pull and bunch like batting will if it's not quilted densely enough.
If that's the case ... you can quilt it as far apart as your little heart desires! Both the top and the backing (flannel) are woven fabrics so they won't shift, pull and bunch like batting will if it's not quilted densely enough.
#5
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
If there are 3 layers (with flannel as the middle layer), you still need enough quilting to hold the layers together. My biggest concern would probably be how the 3 layers will shrink, as flannel is notorious for sometimes shrinking a ***lot*** more than other cotton fabrics. If you have preshrunk all of the fabric (and preshrunk the flannel at least twice), then that would not be as much of a concern.
It's true that a lot of quilting with regular (50/3) cotton thread will stiffen up a quilt. However, if you use a much finer cotton thread (such as Aurifil 50wt 2-ply) or a think polyester thread (such as Superior's Bottom Line), even close quilting will not make the quilt stiff.
I like the amount of quilting you have in the photo. If you do the same amount for this quilt and use one of the finer threads I mentioned (or similar), the quilt will still be nice and soft when you are finished.
It's true that a lot of quilting with regular (50/3) cotton thread will stiffen up a quilt. However, if you use a much finer cotton thread (such as Aurifil 50wt 2-ply) or a think polyester thread (such as Superior's Bottom Line), even close quilting will not make the quilt stiff.
I like the amount of quilting you have in the photo. If you do the same amount for this quilt and use one of the finer threads I mentioned (or similar), the quilt will still be nice and soft when you are finished.
#6
Sorry- I should have clarified. It's three layers. Im using flannel as batting. The quilt top is pieced and the backing is 100% cotton. Non flannel.
I did pre wash the flannel because I read that it could shrink a lot. I didn't pre wash the other fabrics.
I did pre wash the flannel because I read that it could shrink a lot. I didn't pre wash the other fabrics.
Last edited by SusanSusan33; 11-19-2014 at 07:03 PM.
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
You should be fine. I wouldn't quilt farther apart than 4" (if you want to quilt further apart than in your photo) just to keep all the layers together without too much stress on the quilting lines.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Saratoga, Arkansas
Posts: 1,909
Susan, I think the quilting you have pictured is a nice design and spacing looks good to me. But I'm no expert. Also, I admire anyone who can work outside the home, raise kids and cart them everywhere and still find time to quilt. You're a winner.
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