Batting for a WARM Quilt???

[LoriReid]

Question regarding the minky fabric. I am making two baby quilts and was planning on using minky for the backing but was wondering if it was difficult to quilt on. If anybody knows and has any tips I would appreciate hearing them.

[Reetzbobeetz]

Lois I have used the Hobbs Heirloom wool batting and it recommends a warm wash 30ºC, dry flat but while it is still damp you can put it into the tumble dryer to fluff it up. And that's what I do. Yes it is hard to get things dry here but I have a rack (called a Sheila Maid) which I can hang large sheets etc on to dry if necessary. My son's wool quilt has the wool batting in it and a plain cotton backing. Hope that helps.

[rehak]

Question regarding the minky fabric. I am making two baby quilts and was planning on using minky for the backing but was wondering if it was difficult to quilt on. If anybody knows and has any tips I would appreciate hearing them.

Hi Lori -

It's been a while since I made my quilt with Minky backing, but will be doing 2 more this summer. I remember the Minky sliding very smoothly on the bed of the machine. You do have to be careful when basting the quilt since Minky is stretchy. You don't want to stretch it too much. And, as Margo says, it is messy when you cut it. But I find the feel to be luscious.

Nancy

[rehak]

Question regarding the minky fabric. I am making two baby quilts and was planning on using minky for the backing but was wondering if it was difficult to quilt on. If anybody knows and has any tips I would appreciate hearing them.

Hi Lori -

And, as Margo says, it is messy when you cut it.

Nancy

Also been refered to as 'minky poop' elsewhere on this forum :wink:

When cutting a 'furred' fabric, if you only cut one layer at a time and try to only cut the backing cloth (using scissors and gliding the points through the fur), rather than down through the fur as well, you will reduce the amount of 'poop' that it produces.

[Margo]

Clara, I thought I would add these "Words of Wisdom from Mother Superior" that are posted in today's Superior Newsletter:

WISE WORDS FROM MOTHER SUPERIOR: WHY I LIKE WOOL BATTING

I make quilts for our home, for shows, for family, and for fun. Usually each evening and into the night, I'm at my sewing machine piecing a quilt. Bob says if I don't quilt every day, we'd both go crazy. One question I'm often asked is what type of batting I use. I've tried many, but for my quilts, wool batting seems to be the best. Here's why:
1. Wool is light.
2. My quilts often travel to quilt shows and are packed in either a suitcase or a box. Wool seems to release the folds and bounce back better than other types of batting.
3. Wool is warm in the winter and light in the summer.
4. Wool is easy to quilt through.
5. Wool washes well.

[LoriReid]

Wise Words from Mother Superior make it seem like wool batting is the way to go. I will have to try it,cause all I have ever used is Warm and Natural cotton.
Thanks to those that gave advice on sewing with minky. I just cut the piece for the backing of one of the baby quilts and came up with this method. I took Glad Press N Seal (not sure if you have it on the other side of the pond) and cut about 2" strips placing it on the right side of the minky where I wanted to cut and when I cut it all the "POOP" :mrgreen: stuck to the Press N Seal when I took it off.
Now for sewing, I will let you know how that goes.

[LoriReid]

Well I guess that decides it, I will get some wool wadding for my Caught Red Handed competition quilt - I had been thinking along these lines anyway, and it will certainly be lighter than my gran's old wool blankets for posting too.

[Sewdreamy]

I'm with Margo, I don't like the feel of minky, but there are those who love it. I like the words of wisdom from Mother Superior on wool batting. I have one in my stash and think I need to give it a whirl.

[Sewdreamy]

I love wool batting. It's warm, the new stuff is machine washable the drape is fabulous!
Minky is very cuddly, but not very warm. I made a cuddle quilt with minky backing and wool batting, because wool is lightweight also.
Susan