I had a few questions about working with flannel and cotton print together. I always back my quilts in flannel. I LOVE the weight it adds.
This quilt however has a large percentage of flannels pieced into the front. Until this quilt I’ve never experienced any problems with flannel. I’m uncertain if it was this quilt, or the 35wt thread or my machine that has been uncooperative.
It was looking like this:
As I mentioned in my last post, I spent some time with my seam ripper. The layers were traveling. I wasn’t getting any puckering, but I was getting some “waves” to the top. I was quilting from the back to use the wavy lines printed on the fabric to guide my quilting.
I’ve never been one to use a larger needle for quilting and this was an occasion where it was a necessity. I also lowered the thread tension and lengthened my stitch.
I do have a few techniques I use with flannel and discovered a few new ones:
-Be sure to wash and dry it!
-When piecing with flannel I keep my needle down and raise my presser foot A LOT to realign.
I find it goes wonky at first. When I was piecing this nine patch the other day I pinned beyond the seams that I wanted to match. I generally don’t do this.
-I baste the Hell out of it.
-I tried a new tip for binding with flannel.
Red Pepper Quilts suggests zig zagging the binding edges together before sewing it to the quilt. Since I was binding the quilt in flannel too I thought this might help with the “traveling” of temperamental binding.
– Last, I serged the flannel edges of the quilt.
I had to really guide the flannel edge of the quilt while serging it, but I think it paid off. It was a breeze sewing the binding on, and for the little amount of work it took with these two steps, the final product looked great. I might always do this, I’m a sucker for a smooth clean look.
I was planning on sewing the binding down tonight, but I’m off to pack for Portland. What could be better than a train ride and a small quilt to stitch?
I would love to hear any tips you all have for finishing a quilt or working with flannel.
Edited for New Found Tips:
–Pickle Dish wrote in a post about using spray basting too. I think this would be excellent.
-I generally use my walking foot for piecing in addition to quilting, but I did realize that the Viking at the shop you have to add it, so I hadn’t been using it for the nine patch piecing. At home mine is built into the machine.
I love that idea of serging the edges – no loose threads to deal with! And I’m definitely trying the zig zag edge on my next binding!
I’ve been using flannels a lot and have been noticing a lot of the same things you mentioned. I think because one side is woven and one is brushed, the woven wants to stretch, which bums me out. I’ve been using my walking foot and that seems to help, plus making sure the layers don’t pull away from each other. I made a flannel bucket with 4 patches and it was so hard getting them to stay perfectly lined up but pinning helped! This is such a vague comment, lol!
I have no insight for the sewing part, but I know cutting flannel is pretty hard on the rotary cutter. I found it easier to make some cuts with my sharp scissors, after carefully marking the cutting lines.
Thanks for posting this – it comes just in time for me, since I am just about to start the quilting on my Values quilt, which I am backing with gorgeous Amy Butler Love flannel. It’s my first time working with flannel, and I am slightly nervous about it.
Thanks for the tips. I have been wondering how incorporating flannel in the quilt top would work. I love this quilt, the colors and the lines are great. I have been collecting the HR Lightening bugs fabric, and I am at a loss as to how to put it together. This quilt is providing me with a lot of inspiration.
You might want to try a walking foot if you aren’t already using one. I always use mine to add the binding. They can be pricey but worth every penny you will spend on one.
I second the walking foot. I did a whole flannel quilt once and that’s when I bought the walking foot out of frustration.
To be honest, I’ve not worked with flannel. Only recently have there really been flannels I like out in the marketplace. And, you are scaring me a little with the extra work required. But a flannel binding? I love that idea. It would be wornderful on a baby quilt. Do you do a double fold binding?
I LOVE your blog!!! what beautiful quilts! I want them all! I would really like to start quilting more. I have only made one…
Thanks so much for your kind words!
Thanks for all the tips. I haven’t worked with flannel yet, but thereare so many gorgeous ones around.
Great post! I not only zig zag the raw edges of the binding together but also always zig zag the edge of the quilt. This not only makes sewing the binding on easy, but also securely stitches in place some of the quilting lines that meet at the quilt edge. Using the overlocker (serger) for this is a great idea! (not that I have an overlocker).
I think good basting technique plays a huge role in avoiding puckering and “travelling”. Unfortunately basting is not a favorite part of the process for me, but I always remind myself that it can make or break the quilt. I use safety pins, about 3 inches apart all over = lots of pins.
Good luck with the binding – are you going to hand or machine stitch?
I machined it and sewed the binding down on the train this weekend. I’m sitting with it right now.
Re: Train/Tacoma. That is too funny!!! I went to Fabric Crush yesterday and thought of you! :O) Great minds…
The only thing I know about flannel is that it shrinks more than regular cotton quilting material. The only experience I have with it is jammies for E, so I always prewash it two to three times.
Your idea have changed my next two quilts backing. I did a quilt along with Old Red Barn this summer. Sadly, I have the quilt top finished, but never finish the backing of course neither the quilting. I think I am going to buy two large flannel sheets and use them for my backings. The reason for two flannel sheets is I did order the backing fabric stashes and they are sitting in my sewing station. Glad I read this post and gave me new inspiration. I will let you know how it turn out!
I’ve never quilted with flannel. It intrigues me. I’m always looking for some more weight to my quilts. By the way do you still spray baste?
And have you ever touched the Pottery Barn Kids quilts? They have an awesome weight to them. It’s the batting. I wish I knew which kind to use to get that same result.
Hope all is well.
I had plans to make a baby quilt out of Amy Butler flannel a few years ago but I got so frustrated! I just put all of the fabric in a bag and gave it to a friend who has more patience than me. There are definitely some good tips here and if I work up the courage to use flannel again, I’ll try ’em out 🙂
WHAT IS THE BEST THREAD TO USE WITH FLANNEL?
I just use regular old cotton for piecing and quilting. Consult your machine manual or quilt shop. xo
what sz. needle do i use on flannel .I am making p.js.
i have a husqvana rose.How much pressure on the flannel and what pressure foot a or b?
I wouldn’t use a whole lot of pressure. I use an 80 for almost everything.
Have you ever mixed cotton and flannel on a quilt back? Or is that not a good idea?
Hi Ellen, I do it all the time, not problem!
I’m planning to do a cross pattern quilt with flannels for my son. I’m worried about the plaid-matching and getting straight lines so was thinking of cutting the flannel plaids on the bias. Do you see any issues with tihs?
Thanks
Cath
I’m planning a cross pattern flannel quilt for my son. I’m worried about matching plaids and all the straight lines in the shirting flannel so I was thinking for cutting my squares on the bias. Do you see any issues with this?
Thanks
Cath
Be prepared for the sections to stretch, that’s what bias does. I would just embrace what happens rather than have a headache later with quilting;)