Because I wanted this on and off the long arm pretty quickly, I did a huge meander. This is the first quilt that I have used flannel as the batting material.
The quilt is heavier than I thought it would be but certainly not as heavy as it would be had I used Warm and Natural (my batting of choice). Originally it was going to be bound in the small purple print that I used for the inside border. Unfortunately, I was about 10" short (can you just imagine how annoyed I was?!) which I discovered as I made the last turn attaching the binding. Finding there was not any additional fabric left at Burkholder's, I asked my sister to pick up something so she brought me more of the outside border fabric. I am just happy there was enough to make binding for the ENTIRE quilt!
Would I use flannel again for batting? Absolutely! I did not pre-wash any of the fabric (I am crazy that way) and it washed and dried beautifully. The drape is very soft and the quilt is warm. The flannel I used is the basic quilter's flannel at Joann's and I used a coupon so I think it was roughly $3 a yard. I think flannel would be good choice for batting especially in baby quilts. The downside is having to piece the flannel. I ran the batting seam opposite the backing seam and did not have any difficulty quilting it.
It's a beautiful quilt, and thank you for the tip on flannel for batting. I just know your mother loved it, and I agree with her...cover up and leave the air conditioning on! =-)
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
I have heard of using flannel for batting....I had a friend that would buy those old flannel blankets and use those for the insides.
ReplyDeleteI used a wool blanket for batting once- Bad mistake! Glad to hear your tip about flannel although the stuff we get here seems to be quite thin and cheap.
ReplyDeleteLove that quilt Suzan and I bet your Mom will too. That loose meander is perfect.
I love using flannel for batting. I bought a bolt of the 90" wide stuff from Joann's once with a coupon -- it was a great bargain and I really like how it works in my quilts.
ReplyDeleteFlannel is my batting of choice -when JoAnn's has the solid snuggle flannel on sale I buy a bolt - I love the way it drapes, love how it crinkles, and have never had a problem with it. Your quilt turned out beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteSusan your quilts are so beautiful! You should do a beginner tutorial series sometime!
ReplyDeleteI've never used flannel for batting but I've quilted quilts with it. Great job on the quilt; so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is beautiful! I'm thinking that's your Mother holding it and that is her hands? My Mom is 83 and I love looking at her hands - the story of her life her hands tell. So sweet. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat finish! Such a good idea for the flannel too, thanks for sharing that tip :)
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done! :o)
ReplyDeleteI've used flannel for two baby quilts and really liked how they turned out. The flannel I used is actually drapery flannel for lining drapes which means it's nice and wide so I didn't have to worry about joining pieces.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I'll bet your mom just loves it. :o)
ReplyDeleteVery lovely. My Mammaw used to use old flannel sheets. Sometimes she used two at a time.
ReplyDeleteMy Grandma (notice the different names...LOL) used old wool blankets.
Okay, now I have to try flannel for batting. Do you cut your binding strips smaller to accommodate for the difference in thickness of the layers (I usually cut 2 1/2")?
ReplyDeleteGreat Job! It's Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteit looks great! thanks for all the info on the flannel as batting. i've been wanting to try it out sometime...it's great to hear that it works so well!
ReplyDeletethanks for linking up to finish it up Friday!