Using Fleece for Quilt Backing - My first 3 Linus Quilts!
Вставка
- Опубліковано 5 сер 2024
- I decided recently I wanted to make some quilts for Project Linus (see link below they are a charity looking for donation quilts). Part of the recommendations for making these (at least where I live) is to use fleece for the backing. I had never used fleece for quilt backs before so it was completely new to me.
I tried several different ways of doing these including using a fleece backing with no batting and self binding; a fleece backing with batting and regular machine binding, and a fleece backing with no batting and regular binding. I also tried several quilting designs and different colours of thread.
This video has all my impressions and thoughts about quilting with fleece backings and I'd love to know if you have used and what your thoughts are.
-- Timestamps --
00:00 How to use Fleece for Quilt Backing
03:11 Self Bound Fleece Backed Quilt with no Batting
06:04 Spray Basting with Fleece
06:53 Fleece Backed Quilt with Batting
09:36 Baby Quilt with Fleece Back and No Batting
11:47 Thread Colours for Quilting with Fleece
12:29 Is Fleece Environmentally Friendly
15.11 Final Thoughts on Quilting with Fleece
-Links-
Project Linus UK: projectlinusuk.org.uk/
Sewing for Charity Blog Post: upcyclemystuff.com/sewing-for...
Washing Machine Filter: planetcare.org/collections/al...
-- Other Videos you might like --
Crumb Quilting - How to make fabric from your scraps Part 4: • Crumb Quilting: How to...
Ebay Haul - Unfinished Patchwork: • Ebay Haul: Unfinished...
Quick Denim Quilt - Improv Style: • Quick Denim Quilt - Im...
Sewing Room Organization - Before & After Tour: • Sewing Room Organizati...
How to make scrappy blocks from your quilting scraps: • How to make Scrappy Bl... - Навчання та стиль
Have you ever used fleece as backing? Do you have any handy tips? What's your take on the whether it is eco-friendly or not?
I'm about to make my first fleece back quilt right now. Thank you for the tips! I wasn't sure whether or not I wanted to put batting in the middle.
Totally personal choice. Some folk think it’s too much but I love it with batting.
came here first before using my first fleece backing for my second grandbaby quilt :)
I use polar fleece for backing all my Linus quilts. I don't use batting. I love it because it is so soft and cuddly. I also tac quilt them with my machine. It's like tying but you use a embroidery design and a lock stitch.
Yes, I love the colors of the third baby blanket you showed us. Beautiful colors.
I love the 3rd one the most!! Both the front and the quilting--the quilting makes me think of topography maps, which I've always found fascinating. They will all be loved by those who receive them. Great job!
Thanks so much!! 💕
I make blanket/quilts using 2 layers as graduation gifts. I have used fleece and flannel and fleece and heavy cotton. Both were well received. I machine quilted them. My grandchildren love to wrap up in them and study.
What a lovely gift!
Love your 3rd quilt best
Your favorite is also my favorite. Thank you for sharing your methods.
Thanks for watching! Everyone always loved receiving the ones with fleece on the back - so cosy!
I’m a maker for Linus too, love having an outlet for my joy in quilting that helps others. I’ve been finding some very reasonable fabric at Aldi. They sell bundles of fat quarters. It’s white coarse grain but it does the job ok, and some are softer than others, it depends on the colour I find. I prewash because they shrink, and distort, that is they go back to true grain and you may end up with a rhomboid shape not a rectangle, but hey, you’re not paying much
And then I buy a simple flat flannelette sheet to use as a snuggly backing. I use a thin cotton batt with that, but double flannelette backing is another way to go. Pre wash because that stuff also shrinks!
Sounds like you have your system well set up! I’m too addicted to buying other people’s scraps so I’ve not had a look at the Aldi fabric but a few people have mentioned to me that it’s very reasonable. Thanks so much for watching!
I wanted to ask what the difference between American fleece and flannelette sheets in England. Think Bella Bee has answered my question.
Hi I also bought fat quarters from Aldi, used them for baby quilts for the Linus Project (Winnie the Pooh and Disney) very good value. I'm now going to start using fleece for the backing. Will see how that works out.
Good luck!
All really beautiful I especially like the smaller one with all the colors! 🤗🐞🥰
Thanks! I like the bright colours too!
Thank you so much for sharing your insights about using fleece as a batting/backing. I've been wondering about that and deeply appreciate the tips you shared. OHHH and your free motion quilting on the last quilt you showed is BEAUTIFUL, stunning really! I wish I was at that point. Thank you!
Thanks so much! So glad the tips were useful! Good luck when you try it!
I did a fleece backing on the domestic and found it responded REALLY WELL to a walking foot. If anyone hasn't done fleece before and is nervous - walking foot baby!
2) thank you so much for your research on the plastic and microfiber pollution caused by fleece. It's a two edged sword (made by recycling plastic bottles, causes further contamination to water) so people can make up their own mind.
3) I like #3 the best (turtles)
4) I'm about to load up some fleece on the longarm and give it a go - also Project Linus. Wish me luck!
Good luck! I have a long arm now too and I’ve done a few fleece backings on it and it all went fine.
I can't wait to use fleece as backing, it will be perfect for snuggling on the couch in winter. Thanks for sharing.
I know it’s sooo soft!
Project Linus, what a great cause to quilt for! I plan to look them up here in Texas. Fleece is so soft and cuddly. I haven’t tried it for backing quilts, but I do find old fleece blankets at garage sales. So I might give it a try. 🙂
Fab! I found it really easy to use! Have fun!
I make blankets for Project Linus in Texas. You may need to check the requirements. I know my chapter allows used fabric as long as it's washed and in good condition.
Thank you so much for all the tips and information. I’ve been wanting to use fleece as a backing and had so many questions that you answered. Your quilts are beautiful!
Thanks so much- so glad the video was useful! Good luck on your quilt!
I like the quilting on all three quilts. Love the colors of the third one. Thanks for letting us know your thoughts on using fleece.
Thanks! And thanks for watching!
Thank you so much for this video. It was very helpful. You answered a lot of the questions I had regarding using fleece for backing. I was thinking the same as you said very cozy feel. Thanks again.
So glad it helped you!
Beautiful!!
Thanks!
Thank you for sharing your fleece experience. I'm about to marry my first fleece backing to a cotton pieced top. I was really a little worried about the fleece getting stretched and puckering. Your color work is amazing! Great quilts for Project Linus!
Thanks so much! Good luck with yours!
@@ScrapFabricLove I just found you on YT and am watching your amazing denim and scraps improve quilt as you go! LOVE IT.
Aw thanks so much!’
I think all three quilts are very nice and very pretty.
Thanks so much!
Fleece is great for batting!
Thanks for talking about project Linus and showing your quilts... I had already bought fleece to usethinking it would be cheaper. Got at 50% off. Have a great day. Stay safe xo
Fab! What a great bargain you got! Thanks for watching!
I have made blankets/quilts for Project Linus and watched some of the children receiving them. They DO like the fleece. I am going to try finding used fleece. So glad this was mentioned as I wasn’t aware of the environmental issue and always like the idea of recycling/upcycling. Thank you!
That is lovely to hear that they appreciate the fleece. I’m sure you can find second hand fleece blankets at thrift shops that would work just fine.
Good idea!
I would check your chapter and make sure they accept used material. I know mine requires it to be in good condition and clean.
I happened across you, I'm just about to use fleece o the back of my hexagon quilt, that so far has been on the go for nearly 50 years. Nearly finished😂😂
Oh goodness! Wow! Good luck getting it finished! Amazing - what a labour of love!
So glad I found this video (and you!). I've only taken up quilting in the last 6 months, and made a couple of small baby quilts, but with cotton batting and backing. I donated them to Project Linus. I enjoy the whole process of quilting, and want to make more for them. I used fleece as backing for a tshirt quilt I made hubby, but have been wondering if I could use fleece as backing/batting for Project Linus, so thanks for confirming. Even by the meter its more expensive than plain (ie non patterned) cotton fabric, but I will check out my local charity shops. I love upcycling too.
Glad it was useful!
i love your quilts and your videos thankyou for sharing your advice with us. As far as the eco friendly stuff goes, just regular ole people such as us cant be to blame for what the corporations sell us. We can only buy what they produce. any hoot love your stuff 🙃😉
Glad you liked it thanks!!
Cotton batting just isnt that warm here in the northern usa. Will try this! Thanks!
I do the same thing. It's cheaper to buy a fleece blanket at a Big Lots or Ross than to purchase yardage
Isn’t that so funny that it can be cheaper to buy something that has already been made into a blanket than to buy the raw material! I still have an old fleece blanket we don’t really use hanging around that is definitely going to have a new life as a quilt back before to long.
I am allergic to all polyester fabrics and have worn only cotton clothing for years. I used to wear rayon clothing thinking it was sustainable because it is made from wood cellulose, but apparently the chemicals they use in the process are damaging to the environment. I would never choose to use fleece but think cotton flannel would work as well. I sometimes put flannel on the back of quilts for the grands and they love it.
Yes flannel is fab for quilts!
Quilting on the very bright one looks like soft breeze. NIce. )))
Thanks!
your quilts are Gorgeous! also I feel the same about the micro-plastics in environment, best to minimize these, and install the filter. However, cotton quilt fabric/battings unless organic and OKEO-tex or GOT (whatever those designations are, I may have misremembered them) ordinary cottons are full of chemicals too, and require lots of irrigation, fertilizers, and petroleum to produce. There are no 100% pure and safe materials, even linen & wool have some aspects of environmental concern. Hopefully we can all reduce - reuse - recycle and whatever items we create, take care to do them well (as you do), and then take care of our items so they last longer.
Good info. I have got sucked into the lure of using quilting cotton (like many of us) but I do think we could be making more quilts from our worn out clothes like those who made utility quilts back in the day.
@@ScrapFabricLove I agree, I hv lots of old blankets I will try to use as a Backing also....Thanks for the Video...🤩Sheila
Thanks for watching!
The fleece you used on the quilts was it the ones that people make pray blankets out of or is it a finer fleece? Thank you The old whirpool washers used to have a filter that sat on top of the agitator and it caught all of the lint. I like that.
I’m not sure what pray blankets are made with but the one I used was called ‘anti-pil polar fleece’. Hope that helps!
Hi, what a pretty quilt. Good using the decorative stitch for the quilting...It's so straight...Do you have a video of showing us the binding and quilting?
No didn’t do a video of that at the time. I think I probably used my seam guide to get the quilting straight.
I have two very large quilt tops completed for teen boys for Project Linus in my sewing room right now, and was just thinking about how expensive the batting and backing will be. I’ve never made any quite this large for project Linus. I started Quilting for Project Linus during the Covid lockdown and it gave me a purpose to every day And I have Quilted for Project Linus ever since. From now on, I will use fleece backing and no batting. I know they are probably a little cuddlier with batting, but I make a couple of quilts a week for Project Linus and cost is a concern.. I am a senior widow with a lot of time on my hands. I do have friends that I go places with, but if I’m not quilting or reading , I’m sitting watching TV and very bored. Fortunately, my other outlet for quilting is for my church prayer quilt ministry, which has an enormous stash of fabric and all the supplies needed. Thank you for this video. I’m much better visual. I read your blog on this topic, and now I can see what you’re talking about.
Oh good glad the video helped to explain the words! I’m a bit visual too. Good for you with all your charity sewing - sounds fab! And lots of folk prefer fleece quilts without the batting so I’m sure they will be lovely!
What size needle did you use? Did you use a walking foot ?
It was a regular quilting needle - 75/11. I didn’t use a walking foot but I have the Bernina built on dual feed. I don’t think I actually put it on for that though. Depends how thick your batting is I guess!
Do you ever get a creative block? If so what do you do to overcome it? I’m an avid sewer with tons of supplies. But I feel like I’m stuck and can’t seem to get re-movitated. I really enjoy your videos ❤
Yes I do! I usually get my creative blocks in January after all the Christmas gift making! I usually try something that doesn’t require much thought when this happens. So for me that means either crumb piecing or foundation paper piecing. The exact type of sewing could be anything that you feel super comfortable with and that doesn’t require too much math or brain power. Try to find the fun of the sewing rather than focusing on the ‘what’ you are going to make. That can be hard but it’s the only thing that helps me when I feel that block. Hope you move past it soon!
Hi, I'm a beginner quilter and have just made 10 baby quilts for the Linus Project in the UK. Thinking of using fleece for backing to save time and looking for easy quick patterns. Thank you for any tips.
I feel like I remember Linus U.K. might have easy patterns as suggestions. Would be worth asking your local rep. But a 9 patch block or even a 4 patch block quilt would be great for Linus and for a beginner project…though after 10 quilts surely your are a beginner + at this point !
Where did you buy the fleece in the UK. I'm in Scotland. Do you need a walking foot.
What sewing machine do you use.
Tia Knight fabrics was recommended to me by someone at project Linus Scotland. They are pretty well priced and I have also bought their remnant box once and was very pleased with it.
I am interested to see if you started using old woolen blankets for backing. I am debating using an some old wool fabric for a baby quilt that i want to gift, but it needs to be easy to wash. I imagine the new mother will not want to be washing the quilt by hand, and I'd hate to see my work ruined if it were thrown in the washing machine. Any tips?
I haven’t tried wool for backing but I suspect you are right - hand washing is probably not ideal for a baby quilt. I have an old fleece sofa throw I am thinking of using as both batting and backing for a quilt but it has already been washed multiple times so it’s pretty low risk.
If you pre-shrink that old wool fabric several times, it will get to the point of no more shrinking, and the mom can wash it as usual for any other blanket. I have several "shrunken" blankets in my household and while they are smaller, they're also warmer/thicker.
When you are doing the quilting are you putting the fleece on the bottom or the top?
Bottom
Do you think buying a fleece blanket and using it to back a double bed sized quilt (without batting) would work? I am thinking of doing a puff quilt, which I have never done before, and you seem to be knowledgeable on the subject so I hope you don't mind me asking for help!
I’ve never made a puff quilt - I imagine there must be something inside the pouffs? But I have used a fleece blanket as backing before and it works fine - I did it on a regular quilt not a puff one!
Hi, thank you, did you use cotton thread?
I can’t remember but I usually use either aurifil or gutterman. I personally wouldn’t worry whether it was cotton or poly thread but I am not a thread expert!
This video was super helpful, thank you 'sew' much😊. Does anyone know if project Linus operates in Australia?? Also...do I need to prewash the fleece before sewing???
I don’t pre wash but many would swear by it. Always best to experiment!
Love the fleece backing. I live I'm the UK too and use fleece for all my Linus quilts. Where did you get your fleece from p!ease? x
Tia Knight fabrics. It was the anti pil stuff, they had lots of other types but I haven’t tried those.
Hi these three quilts are a beautiful idea to help. Did you put labels on those as well or ? I like the idea of using fleece as a backing, I’m going to make three little quilts for my three.grand children all girls for their birthdays all within a space of three month. Differed parents. I enjoy all your videos and find a lot to learn from them. I’m making a quilt, my very first ever, and am two thirds through. Sibylle.
Well done on embarking on your first quilt! Woohoo! I didn’t label the charity quilts as the charity puts their own care labels on them and they are meant to be anonymous. Other than charity quilts I do label them all and I have another video about different ways to do that. The fleece backing is very popular with recipients and would be great for your three grandchildren- very cuddly.
Can use Elmer’s glue to baste quilts
What type of betting did you use? Polyester, cotton, 80/20, wool??
I use all kinds but I believe for the ones in this video it was 80/20
I'm about to make my first baby quilt for someone as a gift.
Also for the first time will I be making incubator quilts for Project Linus in Scotland.
Fab! I’m in Scotland too. Edinburgh.
@@ScrapFabricLove
I live in Edinburgh
Awesome! Small world! Wonder if we will bump into each other at some sort of quilty event some time!
I used fleece backing on a quilt for myself. It seems to have a nap, and doesn't stay on the bed real well. Maybe this is not a concern for the Project Linus quilts. ?? It sure is soft and cuddly.
I’ve never noticed that issue! I’ll be paying attention now!
Thats all great stuff but HOW do you put them together
Hi! I basted & quilted them the same as I would any other quilt. Are you a new quilter or just not sure about fleece? Happy to try to answer if you give me more details about which part you are unsure of.
@@ScrapFabricLove im a new quilter but today tried my first flannel with sew lush fleece and it turned out beautiful.
@@tetiger1236 Oh fab! Well done you! Sorry my video wasn't clear enough for you - do let me know if there is anything I can answer!
@@ScrapFabricLove thank you for reaching out much appreciated and happy crafting 😉
Does the fleece take the place of the batting in the middle? So it’s just the top fabric and fleece or top, batting and fleece? Thank you
I have a bolt of walmart fleece (cheap) but i don’t want to wrestle with stretching while using it as a quilt back.
I have some other videos for smaller fleece projects if you are interested.
@@ScrapFabricLove thank you! I will check them out!
LIttle bits of cut-n-paste music is distracting and quite unnecessary. Just seeing the whole quilt laid out is entertainment enough.
Thanks for the feedback!
@@ScrapFabricLove your video your way :)
I loved your video and thank you for sharing . i am so pleased I found it and will diffently try fleece, as it is very affordable by us in South Africa .
Fab! Hope you enjoy using it! It’s very popular with quilt recipients too! So comfy to snuggle.