Quilting Flannel

Quilting with Flannel is a unique feeling that makes magnificent, warm and comfortable quilts. Before opting for quilting flannel, there are few things that you should keep in mind. Always purchase well-woven, broad, and quality flannels with 100% cotton. It gives better square shapes than other fabrics.

If you are making the quilt for daily use, then it is recommended that use 3/8” instead of 1/4" flannel. Before cutting the fabric, starch it. You can use either spray starch or medium-heavy liquid starch. It increases the life of the fabric. Flannel tends to shrink a lot that is why it is important that you wash it at least twice before starting the work. Use retainer for first wash. It saves flannel from being faded. If you are planning to use hand-dyeing flannel then use quite a bit more colorant.

Cotton flannel is good and different from heavy cloth cotton in several ways. Flannel is designed to create fluffy finish by picking up fibers from surface that has many small hooks. Actually, these hooks make flannel fluffy. The quantity of nap depends on the number of repetition of this process.

On the other hand, double napped flannel is more thick and soft because both sides of the cloth are napped in it. Some fanners are thinner because they go through the napping machine only for one or two times and have only one napped side. Any experienced quilter can easily differentiate between the better and lesser grade flannel merely by touching it. You may have to pay slightly more to get a better grade flannel for your quilting work, but your quilt will be softer, warmer and durable.

Easy quilt pattern with chunky pieces are considered good for quilting flannel. You just need to choose simple shapes such as triangles and the designs, which can be made with strip piecing technique. Simple pattern are easy to complete and consumes less time. It is better to use 100 percent cotton thread for making the quilt. Since flannel is likely to slip form its place; it is important to use pins to keep it at place. Some quitters use waling foot on the sewing machine to keep the layers of fabric at place.

To relax the weave, press the flannel with hot, dry iron. In this way, quilt blocks can be bent while pressing. For the backing, you can use any 100 percent cotton fabric.

Since flannel leaves lots of lint wile sewing, it may create various mechanical problems, so keep on cleaning your machine time to time.

If you love the warmness and homely feeling of homemade quilts, then you will definitely love and enjoy the simplicity of making your own flannel quilt. Above-mentioned brief information will prove handy while quilting flannel.