Quilting with Minky - Any words of wisdom?
#1
Quilting with Minky - Any words of wisdom?
This year we have the joy of two new babies joining the extended family. So of course this is the perfect opportunity to make them baby quilts. Also I have two other small children to make kid sized quilts for. Minky is so cuddly, it seems perfect for using as the backing fabric for the children's quilts.
I've just started looking into how to do that. I found a great article about using Minky and want to share it here. http://amysorensen.typepad.com/the_e...ing-minky.html
I'm also hoping some of you can chime in and tell me of your experiences with it. Are there any safety issues with using Minky for baby or crib quilts? Does it continue to shed fluff after binding?
Any advice will be much appreciated!
I've just started looking into how to do that. I found a great article about using Minky and want to share it here. http://amysorensen.typepad.com/the_e...ing-minky.html
I'm also hoping some of you can chime in and tell me of your experiences with it. Are there any safety issues with using Minky for baby or crib quilts? Does it continue to shed fluff after binding?
Any advice will be much appreciated!
#2
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 4,688
There are a couple of things I would add. When I use Minky (or the Joanns fake Minkee) on the back, I spray it to the batting and then spray the top to the other side -- I want them glued solid so the minkee can't slip around. I both love and hate Minkee as binding -- I love the feel and hate the bulk -- if you use it as binding, I round the corners (it is so bulky) and I make sure to grade the seams.
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 189
Im about to use it for a backing(if I ever get the top finished). I'm not sure which way to quilt it yet. I thought about doing it like a pillowcase, to avoid doing the binding, but then I cant spray baste.... I have no idea really lol
#4
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 8,273
it depends on how many chemicals you want those babies to breathe while they are using their new blankees!
The best I have done is to soak the minky in a watered down starch solution. THen I spread it out on an old shower curtain to dry outside..it was stiff...BUT it did not stretch and the starch washed out when I was done quilting it!
The best I have done is to soak the minky in a watered down starch solution. THen I spread it out on an old shower curtain to dry outside..it was stiff...BUT it did not stretch and the starch washed out when I was done quilting it!
#5
Oh dear Jacquie! What did you mean about breathing in chemicals? Does Minky give off fumes? That sounds scary and I sure hope it doesn't.
Thanks for the advice QuiltinLady1 - I am definitely going to try the layered spray basting and also Jacquie, your starch technique too. Then i can compare which method works better for me. Dasmith - birthing the quilt is a good idea, but I think i am going to use satin blanket binding if possiible, because every kid I've ever seen loves that stuff.
Thanks for the advice QuiltinLady1 - I am definitely going to try the layered spray basting and also Jacquie, your starch technique too. Then i can compare which method works better for me. Dasmith - birthing the quilt is a good idea, but I think i am going to use satin blanket binding if possiible, because every kid I've ever seen loves that stuff.
Last edited by BuzzinBumble; 11-07-2011 at 03:16 PM. Reason: dyslexic typing
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
i think she is talking about using spray basting stuff---the minkee does not emit fumes/chemicals- i've made probably 20 quilts with minkee backs- i've never starched it- sprayed it with anything- it quilts beautifully. the only thing you need to keep in mind is it stretches- so smooth it- don't stretch it when you baste it-
and as for the shedding- only the cut edge sheds- and once that is (enclosed) in the binding it is not a problem-i've used some of the really shaggy-curly minkee - i just took it outside and gave it a good shake after cutting- no problems. it makes wonderful quilt backs- my granddaughters call it the (get naked) blankies! they love wrapping in them out of the bathtub.
and as for the shedding- only the cut edge sheds- and once that is (enclosed) in the binding it is not a problem-i've used some of the really shaggy-curly minkee - i just took it outside and gave it a good shake after cutting- no problems. it makes wonderful quilt backs- my granddaughters call it the (get naked) blankies! they love wrapping in them out of the bathtub.
#7
LOL - "(get naked) blankies" That's so cute! My kids would have loved that idea when they were little. Too bad they didn't make Minky back then. Thanks for the help CK!
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,789
i think she is talking about using spray basting stuff---the minkee does not emit fumes/chemicals- i've made probably 20 quilts with minkee backs- i've never starched it- sprayed it with anything- it quilts beautifully. the only thing you need to keep in mind is it stretches- so smooth it- don't stretch it when you baste it-
and as for the shedding- only the cut edge sheds- and once that is (enclosed) in the binding it is not a problem-i've used some of the really shaggy-curly minkee - i just took it outside and gave it a good shake after cutting- no problems. it makes wonderful quilt backs- my granddaughters call it the (get naked) blankies! they love wrapping in them out of the bathtub.
and as for the shedding- only the cut edge sheds- and once that is (enclosed) in the binding it is not a problem-i've used some of the really shaggy-curly minkee - i just took it outside and gave it a good shake after cutting- no problems. it makes wonderful quilt backs- my granddaughters call it the (get naked) blankies! they love wrapping in them out of the bathtub.
#10
When I have quilted with minkee on the back it does slip a bit, but not much. I just pin basted the quilts I've put minkee on, using lots of pins a fist apart and they didn't move much. They've been washed and haven't stretched at all, nor come apart. Straight stitching lines as your quilting works best, making "X's" through squares. I tried doing 'loop d loop's on my grandson's quilt and the minkee doesn't want to do 'loop d loops'! I found I couldn't make large 'loop d loops' so they ended up very small!
I prewash and machine dry minkee and that takes most of the shedding away--sheds where you cut it! Doesn't shed later. All minkee is 100% polyester. In my opinion, I don't think there is much difference in the LQS minkee and JoAnn's minkee. Polyester is polyester, all man-made, unlike quality of 100% cottons. You can get minkee at JoAnn's for $8.99/yd on sale and in a LQS it's $12.99-17.99/yd! I trust the feel of it more than anything.
I prewash and machine dry minkee and that takes most of the shedding away--sheds where you cut it! Doesn't shed later. All minkee is 100% polyester. In my opinion, I don't think there is much difference in the LQS minkee and JoAnn's minkee. Polyester is polyester, all man-made, unlike quality of 100% cottons. You can get minkee at JoAnn's for $8.99/yd on sale and in a LQS it's $12.99-17.99/yd! I trust the feel of it more than anything.
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