Quilt in a Day Forums

I need to make a baby quilt and I ordered flannel by mistake, Do I wash before I make the quilt? Can I use regular cotton material with the flannel? What type of batting do I use?

Thank You

Loretta

Hmmm...I'm definitely not an expert, but I know that I've seen quilts using both cotton and flannel. I've made many baby buntings, which is basically a small quilt, but no piecing, that I sew together which makes kind of a sleeping bag for a baby. I put cotton on the outside and flannel on the inside. I wash all the fabrics first and then put it together. They've always come out really nice and so soft with the flannel. In the bunting I use a high loft batting, but for my regular pieced quilts I use Warm & Natural cotton batting. I hope someone with more experience with pieced quilts using both types of fabric will see your post and help you out. Let us know what you end up doing and how it comes out. I think using the combination of flannel with cotton makes a really nice baby quilt. Lori

wash your flannel first, dry in your clothes dryer and press well as it does shrink...i would not combine flannel with other 100% cottons...just my opinion...on the issue of batting, i would use something very thin...

I use flannel a good bit especially in ragged edge blankets. You can combine with cotton fabric but be sure to wash it all in hot water and dry in a hot dryer before cutting. If you piece, use a wider than one quarter inch seam allowance. I use flannel that has been washed and dried for the batting also. Hope this info is helpful. I have seen the different fabrics combined but I usually don't do that but like you, I am tempted to do it on a baby blanket now as I can't find the color I want for the theme on this project in flannel.
Hope this helps.
Cyber-Sue

I make alot of baby blankets using flannel on one side & cotten on the other. Be sure to wash & dry flannel as it shrinks alot. You can use it together in a quilt but works better if good quality flannel. I like making puffy quilts for a baby as they seem to like it better when they get older.
I made my DGD a quilt before christmas using warm & natural & she loves the puffy one better.
Hope this helps

grammy2

I have nothing to add that everyone else hasn't said be sure to show us pictures.

Well, I guess I'll throw my 2 cents in also ;OD

If you use a 1/2" seam allowance on flannel, the seam allowances will lay flat.
If you use a tighter than norm, like 1.8 stitch length, it will not ravel over time.
I don't prewash because I like the vintage-y look when it's washed.
I use Warm and Natural, but Thermore is super light and warm.

However you make it, it wll be warm and soft and this weather is perfect for flannel, Amie )

I'm unconventional, but I've made a lot of flannel baby blankets and I don't prewash the flannel because after one wash the flannel starts to 'ball up' - kind of like those blanket sleepers for babies that are so soft when you buy them but 'ball up' after the first wash. I only use other flannel. I do warn the recipient to wash the blanket by itself the first time if it has bold colors in it, other than that they can be washed/dried as often as needed - my 2 DDs have bigger ones that they use as throws and are hanging in there after at least 10 yrs of being wrapped up in, hauled to slumber parties, making tents, wrapping up the cat, etc. I do just tie them with a soft yarn to keep with the soft motif.

Thank you all for your help. I'm a little afraid of doing a quilt in the flannel because I'm making it for someone to give as a gift, so I went and bought more fabric.

Again thanks

Loretta

I make a lot of childrens's quilts and they most all have flannel. I mix the fabrics and have never had a problem. I always wash both flannel and cotton and dry just to give them a good rinse for fadeing and to make sure they are free of some of the chemicals that may or may not be on them. Especially for children.

The larger seam allowance and tighter stitch is also what I do.

Try it, you'll like it. They are so soft. I'm making an all flannel quilt right now and am using just l layer of batting since the two sides of flannel will be thicker than usual.