Hi,

I would like to make a summer quilt, with no batting or a layer of thin fabric instead of batting. It's too hot in the summer to keep our regular quilt on while we sleep, but it cools enough that we need a light cover.

Has anyone made a quilt like the one I described? I was thinking that maybe putting muslin instead of the batting. A friend told me that I could use frannel instead, but I worry that it will still be hot.

QuiltingEmi

My mother in law made that type of quilt all the time. She would make her top and in the middle she used an old sheet, than the backing and tie them. They are perfect for summer quilts and light weight

There are different weights of flannel. A light weight one would work. If you are planning to quilt it, not tie it, the sheet might be hard to work with. If you are going to machine quilt, though, it can be done.

Yes, I agree with Jeb. There are different weights of flannel. I have heard of southern quilts that were just the top and the backing, with no batting whatsoever. I believe they were tied rather than quilted. If you want to quilt, you really need something inside to give it a little body.

The thread count on a sheet is way too high to make it easy to needle for hand quilting. That is why they are not recommended for backings. They can be machine quilted. I stay away from them for another reason. Many sheets have a synthetic fiber that keeps them permanent press. I don't like the feel of it on my skin when I am sleeping. I only use 100% cotton sheets.

Thank you, Ladies. I will try to find a thin flannel. If not I might just use muslin.

I was thinking to make Dresden plates on muslin. I could sew the plates and not cut the center out the be muslin and use a backing with no batting. That will give me three layers on many parts of the quilt. Am I explaining this clearly?

QuiltingEmi

I've also been planning a summer quilt/coverlet. Thought I might just do the front and a flannel backing.

My MIL used what is called a sheet blanket for her quilts because she thought the batting was too expensive. They are really thin blanket with no borders across the top or bottom just serged.

I'm making rescue quilts for fire/police departments and plan to use flannel instead of batting. Won't be as bulky for them to store inside their car/trucks. Have three tops finished but haven't sandwhich them yet. Plant to do a gently meander for the quilting.