Minky on the back- batting or not?

[Amy676 8]

I am about to load my third quilt on Millie- a quilt for my new nephew- it is 50 x 70 and I am using Minky on the back. I am not sure if I should use batting or not. I appreciate your input!

[ffq-lar 3,563]

It will work either way, but batting will add a lot of weight to an already-heavy project.

It's not necessary to use batting with Minkee, so it's your call.

Load with the selvages pinned to the leaders and make sure the side clamps are loose and not stretching the Minkee at the sides. I actually pin the top and the Minkee together all along the sides and then fasten the side clamps over a pin. It seems to stabilize the stretchy Minkee a bit and reminds me not to tighten the elastic of the clamps too much.

[Amy676 8]

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I was wondering about keeping the selvages!

[lkl 79]

I did not use batting for my first quilt using minkee on the back. I found the quilt to be a bit limp. I now prefer to use a light weight poly batting (Legacy) with minkee backing.

[TracyeQ 8]

I've done it a few times with batting and found it to be fine. Not too heavy at all.

[Oma 1,064]

I preferred batting with mine also.  It was a baby quilt so that may be why it didn't feel heavy.

[bonbon 50]

I typically use preshrunk white flannel. It gives it a bit of stability without heaviness and helps keep the little tufts of minky fuzz from being pulled to the surface of the quilt top. I've also used silk batting which gave a lovely drape. Flannel is less expensive though. Try Quilters Dream Angel. Also nice drape and is fire retardent.

[shirleyl 240]

I use Hobbs 80/20 in my minkee top and bottom quilts. I don't load with salvages to the leaders either, I load with the cut ends. Just don't stretch it, but I use minkee a lot, like 50 minkee quilts last year! I think I have figured it out and what works for me.

Shirley

[Myrna Ficken 68]

I have usually use 80/20 batting but on the Black and White one that I posted today I used silk. Loved the way it felt. I typically load salvage on the side but it all depends on the quilt.

[LindaSteller 353]

Minky is soft and plush-feeling, but I really don't think it's all that thick.  I would use batting.  Otherwise, as lkl said, it will be a bit limp.

[Robin 61]

Just did a "limp" quilt myself.   Customer did not want batting so I did as requested.  The back looked great but the front needed batting to fill the quilting design.  Will refuse this request next time.

 

[SWall 147]

I've always used batting (Hobbs 80/20) even when doing minky backing. I feel it helps give the quilting more definition and most of the time it's been for children's or baby quilts and I think the extra weight is comforting when you snuggle them in :).