The next time dear hubby sees material on a giveaway table it better not be flannel, as quilting and piecing flannel is a challenge for me as I’ve now discovered.
In October 2020, he talked the guild president into letting me have all the white and pink flannel scraps on the giveaway table. The flannel felt nice and I knew it was good quality as it was the scraps left when a local quilt store closed.
The First Flannel Quilt
Upon arriving home I serged all the flannel pieces before tossing them into the laundry along with a piece of dotty pink fabric I had in my stash. Once washed I cut up all the smaller pieces of pink fabric into 3.5″ squares. I then played with the scraps on my design surface bed. Finally this arrangement was decided on:
I did not enjoy piecing this quilt top as I found the material stretchy. While not horrendous I found it harder to make my seams nest than with regular quilting cotton. Despite that the top went together quickly. I found some cream and pink teddy bear flannel fabric in my stash that I used for backing.
Now came the fun. Quilting an all flannel quilt (other than the batting) was harder and less enjoyable than I anticipated. I found the flannel stretched and I worked hard to avoid tucks and excess puffiness. Truth be told I avoided them as much as I could. I’m not even going to talk about the fun I had putting on a flannel binding. Here is the finished product:
The Second Flannel Quilt
I had a large piece of white fabric with pink flowers left after I made the first quilt. I made another quilt top with it, the dotty pink fabric and white flannel that also came from the giveaway table.
Having learned from making the first quilt I used regular quilting cotton for the backing. I’m not sure if I broke any quilting rules by doing that but that’s what I did. This one was much easier to quilt and there were no nicks and tucks in the top.
Because the dotty flannel fabric went perfectly with the front and back of the quilt I used that for the binding. I did regret that decision while machine sewing the binding on the quilt but it’s done now.
I will from here on in, stick to using flannel for quilt backings only and will avoid quilting and piecing all flannel quilts.
My favorite way to use up flannel scraps is to make 3-strip rail fence blocks with flannel in the center rail. Press away from the center to minimize bulk.
I feel your pain. I would have suggested using quilting cotton for the binding as it is woven tighter and will probably last longer. Both quilts look so cute. Despite having issues with them some body will love having them.
Both are really beautiful and look cozy. Thank you for sharing your experience sewing with flannel.
I’m only doing the rag quilts with flannels. I doubt I try any other quilts with them.
I always press my washed flannel with a little spray sizing to give it a little body before cutting and sewing. But I also spray and press all my fabric before cutting.
Sew very pretty and cozy. I love the backing fabric on the second quilt. I am known to mix flannel and cotton fabrics. I have made several flannel and flannel backed quilts. I have made all flannel rag quilts, too. I also pre-wash flannels. It is a little harder to work with but so cuddly it is worth the effort. Thank you for linking up this pretty pinkness … 🙂 Pat
I’m sorry to hear you didn’t have a wonderful experience working with flannel. i love to work with flannel and did so many quilts out of it. Some are all flannel, front and back and some are half and half, either front or back is flannel. Although you may find issues with your quilts, I think they are very pretty. Love, love, love the cotton backing. That has to be vintage. Wow. ;^)
Flannel can certainly be challenging! I tend not to make quilts using flannel for that reason. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.
I personally love using flannel for quilts, especially for baby and children’s quilt. It’s so cozy and warm.