Please share your tips when using flannel
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Quilt Dreamland
Posts: 1,601
Please share your tips when using flannel
Besides preshrinking and using a 1/2" seam allowance, do you have any other suggestions/tips when sewing/quilting with flannel? I would like to use it as the backing on my next quilt. THX in advance!
#2
those are the best tips.
i love flannel backings so much!
i recently used the left over bits of years of pyjama flannel. i was nervous about the quality, but then as i thought about it....i wash and dry jams about 5000000 times before they tear. why would using them in a quilt be a bad idea? the quilts get washed maybe twice a year right?
i think it's pretty ugly, but by the time i got here i just wanted to sleep under it. it's growing on me, warm night by warm night!
aileen
i love flannel backings so much!
i recently used the left over bits of years of pyjama flannel. i was nervous about the quality, but then as i thought about it....i wash and dry jams about 5000000 times before they tear. why would using them in a quilt be a bad idea? the quilts get washed maybe twice a year right?
i think it's pretty ugly, but by the time i got here i just wanted to sleep under it. it's growing on me, warm night by warm night!
aileen
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 10-31-2012 at 03:06 AM. Reason: remove link to own website
#3
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
If you plan to machine quilt, my best tip is to heavily starch the flannel backing before layering. This will stabilize the flannel so you don't get puckers and tucks. My method is to mix a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, "paint" this on with a large wall painting brush, wait a few minutes to make sure that the flannel absorbs the starch, toss in dryer, then iron with steam.
#4
Thanks for that tip. Never thought to do that.
If you plan to machine quilt, my best tip is to heavily starch the flannel backing before layering. This will stabilize the flannel so you don't get puckers and tucks. My method is to mix a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, "paint" this on with a large wall painting brush, wait a few minutes to make sure that the flannel absorbs the starch, toss in dryer, then iron with steam.
#6
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
As far as pre washing goes, make sure you wash it until it stops shrinking. Measure it before you start and when you take it out of the dryer (both wof, and cut length measurements). I've had several pieces that took 3 wash dry cycles before it was done shrinking. The up side is that it will get thicker and softer with each washing.
I lightly starched my flannel backing and had no issues long arming it.
I lightly starched my flannel backing and had no issues long arming it.
#7
I wash and dry flannel 3X to make sure it's done shrinking too. Then I spray starch it. I love using flannel for backings! I bought some adorable teacup/coffee mug flannel years ago to make cute pj's from which I just came across, might have to put that on my winter to-do list.
#8
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
I LA it on my Innova. My rack is a 4 pole/roller rack so I have no issues with tons of seams on the backing. Other LA, those that only have a 3 pole rack, may and would curse a back as heavily pieced as mine was. But it was my own quilt and my own LA so I took as many liberties as I wanted.
As an aside, when customers give me pieced backs it doesn't bother me either. I just give up front warning I can't perfectly center it over the front. I will do my best and usually come within a few inches but it won't be exact.
Here is a link to pictures I posted of it. http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...t-t200665.html
Last edited by feline fanatic; 10-31-2012 at 06:29 AM.
#9
I wash and dry flannel 3X to make sure it's done shrinking too. Then I spray starch it. I love using flannel for backings! I bought some adorable teacup/coffee mug flannel years ago to make cute pj's from which I just came across, might have to put that on my winter to-do list.
#10
On my LA, I have found that flannel on the back is harder to do with ruler work. The pressure on the ruler causes the flannel to want to cling to the base. You have to have a light touch on the ruler.
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