Sewing/ Baby Quilt-making advice please
 

I am learning how to make quilts. The one I am working on is for a co-worker. She is expecting her first child (girl) and this baby is a miracle. I want it to be very special. I am making a raggy quilt. One side will be brightly colored patches made of 100% cotton quilting fabric. I know exactly what I want that side to look like. The problem is the reverse side. This is the side that will be against the baby's skin. I have flannel and fleece to match. Which one should I use? :confused:

Even if you don't sew, feel free to chime in. Which would you prefer on a "skin" baby quilt for your little one? Thanks in advance. :)

Oh Judy you are so sweet. I would use which ever is the softest.

Thank you. :)

Fleece is softer, but flannel is also soft and seems to get softer with every wash. I think fleece pills (even the antipill type) after several washings. That's why I'm torn.

I've hand quilted for years - I use cotton sheets for the backing. But that may not achieve the look/feel that you're wanting? If not, I'd go for the flannel.

Good luck!!!

I would go with the softest... that is too sweet of you making a quilt! I love homemade quilts!! :D

Cool! Thank you!! :) Good idea on the sheets. I hadn't thought of that. :thumbup: Will the flannel work okay or will it cause problems?

Thanks, but I'm just a beginner. Don't be too proud of me until you see the end result. LOL! I did make a raggy quilt diaper bag for another friend and it came out very nice, but I learn more every time I make something. ;)

that is the best way to learn! I wish I knew how to sew.... ;)

One thing to consider is that the flannel will rag out really well when you wash it. The fleece won't. They do make rag quilts of all fleece, just clipped to have a rag type look, but I have never seen one mixed with a material that frays like the flannel. I would go for the flannel.

When I was in high school I bought some fleece footed pajamas 'cause at the time I thought they were cool, but I often found that they would "shed' little fuzzy, thread-like things that would get in my eyes. It was very irritating. If you use a fleece make sure it is not one that would do this. The newer fleeces like microfleece probably wouldn't. Just something to think about.

Please be sure to post a picture when you get it done, or even in progress. I would love to see it.

This is one I can answer for sure!!!

DO NOT USE FLEECE!

Use the flannel...

What is on the face??? and what is the filler?? Are you using a walking foot or just sewing it with a regular foot on your machine? When sewing dif fabrics together a walking foot is nice cause your fabrics won't slip out of place, Fleece is awful at slippng, so is any type of soft silky stuff, I am a slave to the walking foot, I swer, I use it for everything, wether I neeed it or not! LOL

The fleece can't be dryed on high heat, and pills easily, even the no pill kind will get ewwwwey if washed with other clothes... and its not a great fabric to use in quilts... flannel is GREAT for "rag" quilting, if thats the type of quilt your making, are you leaving raw edges and cutting them so they will fray??? if so, you should for sure use the flannel or a quality cotten... Otherwise it will not fray And BE SURE to set your machine to a tight stitch! cause when it does fray over many washings you want the integrety of the seam to stay nice and strong!

Good luck! and post pictures of it when your done!!!

I got a quilt when my son was born...25 years ago! It was my favorite blanket of all of his and I still have it today and my granddaughter uses it. It is backed with flannel and like someone else said, it gets softer with each wash! I hope we get to see pictures of your finished quilt. Your friend is going to be so happy to get it...nothing more special than a hand made quilt!

If you want the softest ever fabric for the back of the quilt for a baby, I would recommend Minky. You won't find anything softer or more luxurious. In our fabric store, children loved to stroke the Minky. It is unbelieveably soft. you can look at some here ( http://www.chenillemagic.com/mall/ch...lvetfabric.asp ) but the best thing to do is go to a fabric store that carries it so you can touch it. It is delightful.

Wow! I wasn't expecting this kind of response. :eek: Thanks! Here's the answer to some of the questions (that I can answer).

I am making a rag quilt where all edges are cut, frayed and exposed. It gives it a sort of shabby chic look that I really like.

The top is 100% cotton 6" squares that I am placing in a diagonal pattern. They are made of varying patterns that coordinate..stripes, flowers, solids. The colors are bright pink, lime green and soft yellow. It's hard to describe, but it really looks beautiful.

The batting I bought for the middle of each square 'sandwich' is the cheap quilt batting at Walmart. (Probably a mistake, but I spent the money I saved there on a little bit better rotary cutter.)

I have a basic Singer (simple ?)sewing machine and I am using the regular foot. I have no idea what kind that is, but it's probably not the one mentioned on here. I need to research that online and find out how to get one of those. Thanks for the advice about the close stitches.

I also read that I shouldn't backstitch when quilting, so I am learning about that as well.

I found a really pretty bright pink flannel with white dots to use as the back. I think it's going to work great! :) I will save the fleece for another (different type) of project.

Thanks!!

Sounds like it is going to be beautiful, Judy!! I have never seen a rag quilt done with diagonal squares. Can't wait to see pictures of it.

i just made my grandson a rag quilt i love flannel its the best for this type of quilt. i also made one out of cotton for my bed its ok.