How can I make a handmade quilt extra warm?
I'm making a patchwork blanket/quilt for a friend and want to make sure it keeps her super warm during cold Minnesota winters. Is there anything that I can do to make it especially warm? Should I use two layers of batting? What about fleece backing? HELP!
Your options depend on whether you're set on quilting it or are willing to tie/tack it instead, and on how she needs to be able to care for it. You certainly CAN use two layers of poly batting (or a single extra-high-loft batting or FatBatt) but a quilt this thick generally must be tied or machine-tacked because it's too hard to quilt. If the quilt must be machine-washable, batting made of polyester or cotton or a blend is the best bet, but if dry-cleaning is possible, wool or wool-blend battings are more expensive but very warm. The warmest of all is down, but it's pretty hard to work with (although you could consider turning your patchwork into a duvet/cover for a purchased down comforter). Flannel and polar-type fleece (if you can get the new non-pilling kind) are both good choices for backings.
If it were me, I'd go for a medium-to-high-loft poly batting and good dense flannel backing. I'd also plan to quilt or tie as far apart as the batting allowed - the warmth is in the puffiness, and close or heavy quilting flattens the warmth right out, as well as making it stiff.
Good luck!
 |
 DISNEY Winnie Pooh LITTLE FLUTTERING FRIENDS Baby QUILT Stamped Cross Stitch Kit $29.99 Time Remaining: 13h 11m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 ARK AND FRIENDS Stamped Cross Stitch Quilt Top 34 x 42 $9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 5h 10m |
 Cute Giraffe Friends Stamped Cross Stitch Crib Quilt Top Kit $18.50 Time Remaining: 1d 12h 31m Buy It Now for only: $18.50 |
 Disney Nemo Friends Collection Stamped Quilt Bibs Sampler Cross Stitch Kits $39.99 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 33m |
 Janlynn Disney Pixar Finding Nemo Friends Baby Quilt Kit Stamped Cross Stitch $29.99 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 39m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 Cross Stitch Kit Dimensions Babys Friends Baby Quilt Crib Cover 73067 $36.99 Time Remaining: 3d 10h 34m Buy It Now for only: $36.99 |
 Jack Dempsey Stamped Cross Stitch kit GIRAFFE FRIENDS CRIB QUILT TOP 4060456 $10.42 Time Remaining: 3d 13h 44m Buy It Now for only: $10.42 |
 DISNEY Winnie Pooh LITTLE FLUTTERING FRIENDS Baby QUILT Stamped Cross Stitch Kit $49.99 Time Remaining: 3d 14h 16m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 Dimensions X Stitch Kit Teddy Friends Baby Quilt $35.50 Time Remaining: 4d 7h 11m Buy It Now for only: $35.50 |
 BABYS FRIENDS QUILT BABY HUGS DIMENSIONS STAMPED CROSS STITCH KIT $25.00 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 20m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
 Cross Stitch Kit Cute Animals Farm Friends Baby QUILT $29.99 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 47m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 Baby Animal Friend Bunny Bear Kitty Puppy Crib Cross Stitch Quilt Kit Dimensions $29.99 Time Remaining: 11d 9h 49m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 |
 SANTA FRIENDS Deer Bear LAP QUILT Cross Stitch KIT NEW $22.06 Time Remaining: 15d 15h Buy It Now for only: $22.06 |
 Cross Stitch Kit Dimensions Teddy Friends Baby Quilt Crib Cover 72915 $35.99 Time Remaining: 16d 8h 12m Buy It Now for only: $35.99 |
 Dimensions Stamped Cross Stitch kit 34 x 43 TEDDY FRIENDS Quilt Sale 72915 $33.98 Time Remaining: 17d 10h 22m Buy It Now for only: $33.98 |
 72915 TEDDY FRIENDS QUILT CROSS STITCH KIT 34X43 $36.99 Time Remaining: 20d 8h 21m Buy It Now for only: $36.99 |
 73067 BABYS FRIENDS QUILT CROSS STITCH KIT 34X43 $36.99 Time Remaining: 20d 8h 21m Buy It Now for only: $36.99 |
 73258 FARM FRIENDS ANIMAL QUILT CROSS STITCH KIT 34X43 $36.99 Time Remaining: 20d 8h 23m Buy It Now for only: $36.99 |
 Babys Friends Quilt Stamped Cross Stitch Kit NEW $36.99 Time Remaining: 20d 15h 53m Buy It Now for only: $36.99 |
 Dimensions Stamped Cross Stitch kit 34 x 43 FARM FRIENDS QUILT Sale 73258 $32.17 Time Remaining: 21d 12h 41m Buy It Now for only: $32.17 |
 Cross Stitch Kit Disney Janlynn Bambi and Friends Baby Quilt 1138 90 $49.99 Time Remaining: 21d 23h 16m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 Stamped Cross Stitch Quilt Kit Teddy Friends 72915 $31.45 Time Remaining: 22d 9h 32m Buy It Now for only: $31.45 |
 D73067 Stamped Cross Stitch Kit Quilt Babys Friends $107.47 Time Remaining: 23d 1h 35m Buy It Now for only: $107.47 |
 Baby Hugs Farm Friends Quilt Stamped Cross Stitch Kit $36.99 Time Remaining: 26d 5h 17m Buy It Now for only: $36.99 |
 Cross Stitch Kit Tobin Jungle Friends Cute Animals Baby Quilt Cover T21752 $36.99 Time Remaining: 27d 13h 29m Buy It Now for only: $36.99 |
 Friends Quilting Bee Quilt Wedding Ring Basket Sampler Counted Cross Stitch Kit $12.08 Time Remaining: 29d 9h 46m Buy It Now for only: $12.08 |
Tags: best friends quilt shop, between friends quilt pattern, blog, circle of friends quilt, crafts, design, friends, friends quilt, friends quilt shop, friends quilting basket, gathering friends quilt shop, quilt