hidlyn

Hello all. I just registered today and am looking for help so I can finish my niece's graduation quilt. I am using minky for the first time with a cotton quilted top. I had planned to FMQ. I have watched several videos on it with minky, and thought I had a good handle on how to keep the nap from pulling through. I am using the 90" navy Cuddle minky. My sandwich is: cotton quilt top, Quilter's Dream cotton batting, French fuse on the minky for extra stability, and minky for backing. This was put together with 505 spray. I am using a 90/14 stretch needle as recommended by Shannon Fabrics. I have toyed with the tension as a last resort from 4.0-8.0 and still cannot keep it from pulling through. If you have some experience with this, please let me know. I'm about to pull my hair out. My niece goes to college Aug. 20 and this was supposed to be for her dorm room bed. Ugh.

ckcowl

I’ve quilted lots of quilts with Minky backings- it’s a family favorite. I’ve never used a large- stretch needle for quilting on a cotton pieced top. I use a needle size appropriate for the thread I’m using and generally use a Schmetz Sharp . I’ve never used a fusible or spray on my Minky either, so I don’t know if that has anything to do with any problems. I’ve never had Minky come through my sandwich. I think it’s the needles.

hidlyn

Thank you. I was wondering about the needle as well. 90/14 stretch is suggested on the Shannon Fabric site. The French interfacing was suggested by Leah Day to keep the minky from stretching. She showed 3 sandwiches, and the one with French tricot interfacing (very very thin), batting, and cotton fabric was the one where even the furry minky nap was not showing through. That is why I was toying with that. The needle I am using now is a Schnetz 90/14 stretch. What type of Schmetz do you normally use?

hidlyn

I just tried both a 90/14 and 75/14. The nap is still coming through.

quiltedsunshine

I've seen the minky coming through quite a bit. I'm told that as the quilt is used it will "migrate" back to the other side. Also, the quilting design should be fairly loose. And you can take a brush to it and brush it back to the back.

I have seen that if you quilt with the minky side up, it doesn't migrate. Which may or may not work for you.

hidlyn

Thank you so much. I was hoping that might happen but worried to take the risk. I have a small sample sandwich I am working on and thought maybe washing/drying it then brushing it would answer my question. Worth a shot, :-)

aashley333

I put newspaper down between the minky and the machine- wide enough to cover the seam. Tears away easily after.
I use an 80 or 90 size needle-nothing special. I also don't use batting with minky. Haven't had any problems. (Other than shedding)

ckcowl

I use a Sharps Needle- not a stretch needle, usually an 18, or even a Schmetz Universal. I also use Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 batting. When I use Minky for the back.

juliasb

Welcome to the QB! I have never used Minky as of yet. I follow every thread here closely when the discussion is about Minky. This one is a bit different and I am learning a great deal. I am sure others here will be able to help you out somehow. In the mean time you have been a big help to me and answered a couple questions I have had about interfacing. Thank you! Now that you have jumped right in and are enjoying the fun I look forward to seeing much more of you on the QB. Again welcome to the QB!

loisf

I'm so sorry you are having trouble. I don't have any advice that you haven't already been given. I will just share my experience. I quilt on a Tiara sit-down, so the needle is larger than on a domestic machine. I use Hobbs 8/20 batting, and I glue baste with Elmer's School Glue. I have done many quilts with minky backing, and the only brand I will use is Shannon Cuddle. I've had trouble with minky fabrics from Jo-Ann Fabrics - either the glue doesn't stick to them, or the nap comes through to the top. I actually had to tear apart the quilt sandwich and replace the backing with Cuddle when I couldn't stop the nap from coming to the top. I wish Cuddle worked that well for you. Also, I've never had trouble with the minky stretching. I just use plenty of Elmer's, and the backing never moves.