donnavans Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I have a quilt made from flannel. It seems to stretch more than the other fabrics. And the quilting seems to bury more so is worth the time to do decorative quilting? Any guidance is appreciated. I have not worked with flannel before and have only done about 25 quilts total. See, I am still very, very new. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Donna some flannels are more loosely woven than others. If you want the quilting to show you a showery batting like dream puff or wool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnavans Posted November 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I was trying to use a decorative fish panograph but it really does not show. Also the batting that I was provided is polyester. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankiequilter Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I haven't quilted a flannel quilt, but another thing that comes to mind is to use heavier thread if you want the quilting to show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 The fluffer the batting the more the threads will sink into the flannel...as Heidi stated the flannel is already a looser weave and then to add a fluffy batting...what you are going to get is a really really high and low spots. The thread tracks being the low spots and the poly batting puffing up and being the high. To get a really nice even showy thread and nice quilt, I would go with a thinner batting...a 80/20 or Warm and Natural....I would think you will get a puffy look with Dream Puff or wool as they also are a fluffier batting where the 80/20 and W/N are a flatter batting and your sandwich threads won't sink in as far. This might be a time where you need to experiment with your battings to see which look you like best. What you are working with already will make a nice quilt, but you wanted the threads to show more...I would think that would call for a flatter bat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnavans Posted November 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Bonnie, thanks for the insight. I should know this since I have quilted by hand since I was a child. I am so knew at machine quilting that I don't think of all of the details yet. This is a quilt for someone else. I am going to try the design on a cotton fabric with a cotton batting. It is a really cute fish design. What would I do without the group? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Originally posted by donnavans I am so new at machine quilting that I don't think of all of the details yet. We were all in your shoes at one time...don't even think about it....just pass if forward.:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I usually use a thin cotton batting when I use flannel for the top and backing. You get texture and sometimes can even see the quilting. I try to avoid 100% poly batt as much as possible. It will add more definition to the quilting though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnavans Posted November 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Does polyester batting produce more lint than cotton? I have all of this fuzz around my needle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 In my opinion...yes! But cotton has its share of lint too. The flannel will lint too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I wouldn't call it lint as much as I would broken fibers from the poly...and yes some more so than others... There are some poly batts that will totally fall apart in your hand if you even slightly tug on them and there are some that you can stand on and pull and pull and they don't fall apart. Just like cotton battings, Poly ones are not all alike either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I think poly produces less lint but it is more than likely that the flannel itself is causing the most of the lint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterfly Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I had a customer bring me a purple flannel backing with a batik top. It turned out wonderful. I was concerned about having a solid on the back but it was great. Jessica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 All of my adult snuggle quilts have a flannel backing. Love the way they sew up and they are so warm. ALL baby quilts get flannel as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnavans Posted November 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 I was surprised out how soft it turned out. I just did a large stipple. Customer was very satisfied. Thanks for the input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg_marsh Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 I use a lot of flannel for the backs of kids quilts - mostly use Dream Angel. What I have found is if I use a thread a bit darker than normal, the quilting shows nicely. When done, I toss in the dryer with a wet was cloth. The quilting always seems to come to life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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