Aussietop
#33
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: AZ and CT
Posts: 4,898
I'm not claiming to be an expert. I hope you hear from others who have used fleece, too.
I have MACHINE quilted with fleece - but just quilts that will be used and washed a lot. I don't think the quilted, pieced side looks as good with fleece as it does with batting. Fleece stretches, so I baste it with spray-basting to prevent the stretching as much as possible. I start quilting from the center to the outside. Inevitably, it stretches a bit, but it goes off the edges where it can be trimmed, instead of toward the center where it would cause puckers or pleats.
I think fleece may be harder to HAND quilt than batting. If I were you, I would test a sample before committing to hand quilting the whole quilt. I don't think fleece is a lot warmer than a quilt with batting, though it may be lighter weight. I use fleece because I don't have to fuss with 3 layers when I'm machine quilting :lol: I use batting when I've put a LOT of work into the top and I want it to look its best after being quilted.
I have MACHINE quilted with fleece - but just quilts that will be used and washed a lot. I don't think the quilted, pieced side looks as good with fleece as it does with batting. Fleece stretches, so I baste it with spray-basting to prevent the stretching as much as possible. I start quilting from the center to the outside. Inevitably, it stretches a bit, but it goes off the edges where it can be trimmed, instead of toward the center where it would cause puckers or pleats.
I think fleece may be harder to HAND quilt than batting. If I were you, I would test a sample before committing to hand quilting the whole quilt. I don't think fleece is a lot warmer than a quilt with batting, though it may be lighter weight. I use fleece because I don't have to fuss with 3 layers when I'm machine quilting :lol: I use batting when I've put a LOT of work into the top and I want it to look its best after being quilted.
#34
I too am far from an expert...
I have used fleece for any quilts that will be used by children or as a sofa throw. Have not had any trouble machine quilting, but hand quilting I would think, would kill your hands.
I have used fleece for any quilts that will be used by children or as a sofa throw. Have not had any trouble machine quilting, but hand quilting I would think, would kill your hands.