machine quilting w/ a flannel back

[CaroleJ]

Hey, hey, y'all...
I am trying to branch out and learn new skills. The only flannel backed quilts I have done thus far have been tied. I'd like to machine quilt this one, just SITD around the blocks, nothing fancy.

Any advice or tips, or what NOT to do's when machine quilting with a flannel-backed quilt?

I have MQ'd with cotton backings, used my walking foot and had no trouble. BUT never with a flannel back. I would think it would be about the same, maybe need to lighten the pressure on the foot to accommodate the thicker fabric.

Still 8-10 stitches to the inch?

Clearly in need of help here!!

[quilterbee]

Hello, if you use a longer stitch length when SITD, it will look better than 8-10 spi. Same with flannel, it's cotton just thicker. I use a 3.5 length on my Janome if I'm SITD. I use the silicone spray from Hancocks to keep my table slick to make my life much easire. I do have a frame but also quilt smaller quilts at mt DSM. I've never had any issue quilting with flannel backs and they are sooooo soft ) Amie

[Grammy2]

I've done SITD with flannel & it turns out fine. I usually use a stitch length of 3 & a walking foot.

[CaroleJ]

Thanks to Amie and Sharon for soothing the worries!

Can y'all translate the stitch length settings into number of stitches per inch? Older machines and all that...

I wish I could stay home this weekend and sew...

Thanks again!

[quilterbee]

Older machines..I have 19 machines, most over 50 years old(those are the good ones!) I'd go about an 8 or so...somewhere between the 6 and 8. Test it and make sure you like it. You can't hardly tear up an old machine so adjust it however you like. I forgot to say earlier, you will need to put your walking foot on for sure. Amie )

edited for several spelling errors...sleeeeeepy );

[Evie]

I like how flannel hides my quilting stitches. It's so soft it just sinks into it.

I made a T-shirt quilt for DH and used flannel for the backing and regular white machine quilting thread. It was a swirling blue/white pattern.

The only thing I didn't like about it was when a corner of the backing somehow folded back under the quilt and I had to use the seam ripper to remove my loop-de-loop free motion quilting. I had to use my magnifying glass/bright light to see how to remove all those stitches. It took awhile because of the stitches sinking into the fabric.

But DH loves it. He wanted it warm so I put warm and natural batting in it. It's too warm for me, but it's his quilt.

[Evie]

I always wash/dry flannel backing a couple of times to get it to shrink as much as possible.

I also like to use the 505 adhesive spray to hold the layers together.

Amie, I'll have to try that Silicone spray. Does it matter what type of surface the table is? Will it ruin some finishes?

[quilterbee]

Hi Evie, the silicone spray is made for table surfaces and fabric. It's a must when FM'ing on those super tight weave batiks ) The needle just slides through it like it's butter. HOWEVER!!...HEAR THIS!!
To prove that I am the Queen Do-Do Head )

I recently sprayed the table that my machine sits in(flush) and the machine bed so it'd be real nice and slick right?? And then I went and put the spray back on the shelf. (I have one of those plastic floor cover things for offices so my chair can roll around). When I stepped on the plastic to sit in my chair, I slipped across the floor thing-y(nice and slick with silicone!!), slid under my table cracking my chin on the table edge and landing under the table with the surge protector in my crotch(NOT a good thing!).

Sooooo, PLEASE!! PROTECT your floor and be careful when spraying it.

Hugs, Amie ;OD

[CaroleJ]

Evie, I *love* 505 spray--beats all that pinning!! I still pin-baste, but I use a lot fewer pins than I used to.

Amie, I think I'll pass on the silicone spray after hearing about your adventure....OUCH!

[ilovetosew]

I suggest cleaning the lint out of the feed dog and bobbin case several times during your quilting time. Flannel is very linty and it can clog things up fast. Janie