has anyone ever used fleece or blankets for quilt batting? I heard this works.?

Answer 1

You can use fleece or blankets, etc., for the inside part of a quilt "sandwich," but you probably won't want to hand quilt it if you do that... it'll be waaay too stiff and thick, and too hard on your hands/fingers.
Generally those kinds of things were used in the days when clothing/blankets/etc., wore out, but then could be used in other ways (like old blankets, etc.) to save money.

Nowadays, the filler used inside quilts to increase their warmth is more often polyester or cotton "batting" ...that's much easier to hand quilt through (esp. the thinner or polyester cotton battings).

For thicker battings --or blankets used as battings-- you'd probably want to "tie" the quilt instead of "quilting" it.
That can be done with individual yarn or other "ties" sewn through all layers, here and there, to hold them together, or "bar tacks" made with a sewing machine --which are just a back-and-forth stitch in the same place, or even buttons sewed through all layers.
If the layers are thin enough, you could also machine quilt, at least a little.

Or you could do as mentioned, and just use a blanket or flannel, etc., as a backing, and not have a regular backing... then you wouldn't have a "sandwich" though, more like two pieces of bread and wouldn't necessarily need to tie or quilt.


Diane B.

Answer 2

I've used polar fleece for the backing/batting of a flannel quilt. I pieced a basic top (sort of a Turning Twenty variation, of my own design). I used flannel and chenille. I did not layer it - I just used the fleece for the backing, since the two fabrics alone will be very warm, and more than thick enough. Instead of quilting, I tied it every four inches or so. It's just a utility quilt, so it gets used a lot. I've had no problems with the fleece.

Answer 3

My Grandma made a bunch of utility quilts (I have a couple) with no backing, just pieced tops machine quilted to green wool army blankets. They have held up just fine for 60 years. (I have replaced the binding on both of them more than once.)

Answer 4

My mother in law used a fleece throw once and it worked pretty well. I'm not sure if she used a special method or anything though.

Answer 5

My grandmother used to use flannel sheets for batting. This was many years ago ( I am 59 )It seemed to work fine, but it was much thinner than batting.