With winter nipping at our heels, many of us turn to using
flannels for our latest quilts.
Using flannel instead of cottons for quilts does bring along
some special steps to ensure a perfect quilt. By using these tips as a
guideline for sewing, you too will have a successful (and cozy!) quilt.· Always prewash your flannels. Shrinkage can vary between different quality of flannel fabric and you need to have consistency for your quilt. Use the hottest water setting and a hot dryer to ensure there will be no more additional shrinkage. If you are using a flannel flat sheet for backing, be sure to prewash in the same manner.
·
For flannels, the simpler the pattern, the
better the results. Staying away from those bias cuts will be best. If you want
to sew on the bias, you can try to back with a dot of washable glue stick and
cheap white tissue paper for stability when sewing. Or, perhaps a lightweight
fusible interfacing might work better for you.
·
Don’t use your regular rotary cutter! Flannel
dulls it quickly! I have a secondary cutter marked with “flannel” marked on the
storage case and an “F” marked with a Sharpie on the cutter itself.
· Since
flannel frays, I could use some fray check on the edges, but I just add ¼” to
my pattern pieces and use a ½” seam allowance.
from directional prints.
·
And speaking of sewing, you will want to use a
size #14 or 16 needle and since the flannel dulls it, be prepare to change it
if needed.
·
AND be sure to stop and clean your machine
during sewing—flannel makes a lot of lint-especially around the feed dogs.
·
Put some serious thought when selecting a
batting for your flannel quilt—you don’t want it to be too warm (or do you?).
·
Best of all, now you should have a warm and
comforting quilt to keep or give as a gift.
No comments:
Post a Comment